It is that time of year when many are planning goals for the year ahead and beyond, and so I have been doing a lot of research on the topic of ‘goal planning’.
I met Matthew Michalewicz at a conference a few years back and I read his book “Life in half a second” and I recommend it if you have time. Otherwise, here are my main takeaways and a few ideas of my own for goal planning.
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Don’t delay – be the 1%
Goal setting is quick, costs only your time and is proven to get you what you want. Statistics show that out of 100 people, 80 of them won’t have any goals, 16 have goals but don’t write them down, 3 have goals written down but don’t review them and only 1 out of 100 will write down their goals and review them regularly. Be the 1% .
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Be really clear about your goal
Loose goals don’t work.
Loose goal: I want to be healthier in 2016.
Clear goal: I want to lose five kilos; bring my cholesterol down to Less than 200 mg/dL; I want to be able to run one kilometre non stop; and learn Yoga.
Loose goal: I want my business to be more profitable.
Clear goal: I want my business to increase its profit margin by 20%.
Be specific, be precise. This will help you measure your success and allow you to celebrate your wins.
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Visualise and revisit your goals daily
Everything is created twice, first in the mind, then in reality. Visualise yourself achieving your goals before bed each night and/or first thing in the morning when you wake up.
Other things you can try;
- carry your goals with you
- put your goals on your mirror
- have them beside your bed
- do a vision board
- get yourself a copy of My Vision Book
Whatever you decide, just ensure your goals are on your agenda for as little as one minute, once per day.
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Share your goals with your friends, family and team
Tall poppy syndrome is a real shame in Australia. But, don’t let it stop you from sharing your goals. It may be awkward at first, but research shows that it strengthens your commitment – making you more likely to achieve the goal. It is also a great idea to surround yourself with people who have similar goals.
So there you have it, planning for 2021 and beyond. I hope this has helped you in some way and that you smash all your goals for 2021, and more!
