2016 is just around the corner and we are all starting to think about our New Year’s resolutions. Whether you set the bar high or give yourself a goal you can easily achieve, setting healthy goals is important. For most of us, thinking of something we want to achieve is fairly easy but actually creating goals to help get ourselves get there is the hard part. This is where setting healthy goals becomes key to accomplishing our achievements. Here are 5 keys to helping you set healthy goals:
- Write down your goals
If you are like most people, your mind is always racing with ideas. That is why it is important to write down your goals and keep them in a place you will remember. For some of you that might mean a piece of paper on your fridge or mirror, while others may prefer a saved file on your computer or a note in your phone. Whatever way you like to keep notes, just do it!
- Consider your legacy
Why are you here? What are you doing to contribute to your legacy? These are big questions, but are necessary ones. We might not all leave behind a legacy for the history books, but it is important to understand what you want to accomplish for yourself in your lifetime. Understanding your larger life goals will help you build smaller goals around them to help accomplish a larger achievement.
- Set goals around “why”
When setting a goal it is important to have clear reasons as to why you want to accomplish it. The “whys” will be a reminder and motivator for you when achieving your goal gets tough. It is important to also write down the reasons for wanting to accomplish your goal. The more reasons you can come up with, the more they will keep you motivated. Try to think of all the “whys” so if one isn’t motivating you, the others might.
- Make goals directional
A directional goal will help you focus on who you are rather than what you are. This type of goal setting will help you move towards the person you want to be. These goals focus on things such as our health, relationships, growth and contribution.
- Create Measurable Goals
Measurable goals are not only important when setting your goals but also for letting you know when you have accomplished them. Have you ever heard the term “What gets measured gets done” well it’s especially true in goal setting. Setting a goal you can easily measure will help you stay accountable because you can’t fluff your results as much as you can with an immeasurable goal. As an example:
Immeasurable: “I want to lose weight”
Measurable: “I will eat 1200 calories a day and exercise 30 minutes 3 times a week so that I will lose 10 lbs. by March 1.”
The New Year is a great time to reflect on the previous year and get excited about something new. If you didn’t reach your goals in 2015 don’t beat yourself up. Let the New Year bring new, healthier goals. Use these 5 steps when considering what you want to accomplish in 2016 and years to follow.
For a FREE infographic outlining the steps to setting healthy goals click here.
Happy New Year!
