As the new year gets going, we all start to think about things we want to accomplish, both personally and professionally. It’s the time of year when people make resolutions and set goals for the year. Creating the resolution is the fun part but following through after the New Year excitement wears off is the challenge. Below is one tip that can help you get started.
Get Emotionally Invested. Set goals that really get you going. According to some experts, the primary reason people fail in achieving their goals is because they don’t care enough about the end result. Make your goals ones that actually challenge and motivate you. If you set goals that you think you should accomplish, but don’t feel emotionally connected to, you are much less likely to follow through with them.
One way to get emotionally invested is to create visual tools, such as a vision board. If, for example, you have a professional goal that is abstract or data-driven, say, a numeric sales goal, having an image of what you’ll do with your bonus makes the goal more tangible. A vision board with pictures of a tropical beach or a newly-remodeled kitchen can help you feel invested and stick with your goals.
Another way to stick with your goals is to phrase them positively. “Being able to pay the bills” isn’t as inspirational a goal as “Achieving financial security”. Putting a positive spin on your goals keeps you emotionally invested and gives you energy to attain them.
Stay tuned next week for more ideas on keeping your New Year’s goals.
