New year, new goals, no new resolutions

By Jacqui Tibbits, Director Consultivation

​Many of us start off our new year full of gusto setting resolutions with hope and confidence on what we will achieve but the reality is many new years’ resolutions fizzle out not long after the fireworks, sparklers and bubbly does.

​We are almost three weeks into a new calendar year and I’m wondering how your new year resolutions are progressing? Have they stalled, on track or advancing ahead of schedule? Are you someone who doesn’t even bother making any?

​
​For me, I haven’t set any new years’ resolutions for years. What was the purpose particularly after realising I often didn’t see them through and therefore setting them was purely setting myself up to fail. 2016 research by Finder.com.au identified 15% of Australians broke their resolutions in the first 3 months of 2015 while 40% broke theirs in the first 8 months. This was definitely me!
 
This year, however, I have applied a different approach. Rather than resolutions I have set goals for the year.
 
Resolution by its very definition is an official decision that is made after a group or organisation has voted – well no one is voting on my life or decisions; or a resolution is a promise to yourself to do or to not do something – well not achieving that is a blog for another day!
 
A goal, however, is an aim or purpose. It already sounds more uplifting and positive. With our years of goal setting in business, sport, studies and home each of us is developing our own way to successfully achieve goals we just don’t often acknowledge it. It can be actions like setting a sleep schedule, finishing assignments on time, spending less on clothes or making training sessions at the gym.  All of these take some order of goal setting.

---

​Making a goal is not only different to achieving it but easier to do too. Classic hurdles to overcome include setting of motherhood goals, waning of the new year excitement, our focus shifts, losing sight of the required steps or increasing self-criticism.
 
In light of this, here are some of my top tips to help you achieve your goals. These are not SMART or SMARTER goals – you already know that though some of these concepts overlap.

10 tips for achieving goals

I recently reviewed my new years’ goals. I identified I needed to align my strategies and charting to make it easier and more efficient for me. I had set and prioritised 3 goals for the year however my strategies were based on monthly or weekly achievements. What I found is those goals with weekly chartings and achievements were easier to stay focused on, keep track of and achieve rather than the monthly one.

Interestingly, one goal had already naturally transitioned from monthly to weekly and now I'm switching the remaining goal to weekly time periods. This scenario provides another good tip - goals and the strategies in which to achieve them are as individual as we are. What works for one person may not work for another. I encourage the sharing of ideas, strategies, challenges, lessons learned, setbacks and achievements with others to foster success. An important element here and for some, it may be critical, is to allow this help and feedback in when you need it to benefit you. To quote the Desiderata, 'If you compare yourself to others you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.' 
 
There are many benefits to goal setting with a key factor being it improves wellbeing and quality of life. Having your goals written down, helps to empower and guide decision making, give purpose to the day and is a positive way to focus on the future.
 
I am finding goal setting is also helping to focus my time and energy, provide motivation and helps me deal with challenges which would otherwise hinder my progress. Overall, my goals and strategies are contributing to me feeling more positive, happy and confident.

---

​Consultivation is an independent consultancy service driven by an ethical values base 
supporting businesses and people to flourish in the community, health and aged care sectors.