Today – Change your life – 5 tips for setting goals for 2018 that really work
This time of year is filled with big ideas.
There are things that we want to do or achieve, and the new year is full of possibilities.
Unfortunately, if we procrastinate too long or do the opposite and rush in without thinking things through we can really undermine ourselves right from the start. How often have you found yourself in February or March thinking ‘Oh dear, maybe next year…’ when your plans and resolutions haven’t quite worked out the way you hoped.
So how can we capitalise on this enthusiasm and give ourselves the best possible chance of success?
My word for this year is ‘growth’. 2017 was a year for consolidation and calm after my youngest had been unwell. 2018 is going to be a year of moving forward, making plans and reaching goals. I’m determined to bring all my project management experience to bare on making that happen. I’m approaching my goals like I would a new work project.
Want to join me in setting goals for 2018?
Here are 5 activities are great ways to start that journey to change your life and keep going forward.
And they work!
Where are you starting from? A life audit
A life audit sounds intimidating, I know. Really it’s just a bit of a stock take of the various areas of your life. If you want to move forward and change your life then it helps to have a good idea where you’re starting from, what’s going well, what you want to improve and so on. You can settle down with a notebook and a cuppa and just see where that takes you but if you’d like a bit of guidance I have a downloadable worksheet you can use to give the process some structure and make sure you cover all the important aspects of your life. It’s amazing how this simple idea can quickly highlight where your energies are best spent.
Practice setting goals for 2018 that are SMARTER
The concept of SMART goals (specific, measurable etc) has been around for a while in the professional world but actually the importance of thinking hard about exactly how we formulate goals applies equally to our personal lives. You can use this simple Smarter Goals Checklist to ensure your goals are really well defined and thought through. Another step in the right direction to change your life.
Make a plan not a resolution
I’ve written before about why I don’t make New Years Resolutions. The idea that we can snap our fingers and change something we don’t like is just silly and then when we fail we end up disheartened and give up. Have a look at my free downloadable workbook that walks you through the questions that help turn a resolution into a plan. It makes it much more likely that you will achieve your goals.
Maintain balance
Parents are so often the victim of many competing priorities. It’s hard to balance the different parts of our lives, work, kids, housework, relationships, health, social life and so on. It’s also especially difficult not to allow the needs of our family to eclipse our own needs and priorities and end up feeling burnt out. I developed my Busy Mum’s Balance Planner (another free printable) to provide a quick visual overview of how you are managing that daily balancing act and help highlight what you might be neglecting.
Do more of what you enjoy
I hope you’ve got some great challenging goals for the year but don’t underestimate the impact of the little things. While achieving your major goals can take time and commitment you can start a happier 2018 right away by fitting in a little extra time doing the things that you enjoy. For me that’s reading. It always feels frivolous to devote time just to reading when I could be multitasking with a dozen tabs open on my laptop and one eye on whatever Netflix series we’re currently watching. I’ve set myself a little goal of reading 3 books a month this year. Nothing too demanding just whatever takes my fancy. Fitting in half an hour here and there has already really improved my mood and I feel much less ‘busy’ all the time. Of course, reading might not be your thing. My friend Becky is enjoying crafting with natural objects and another, Jenny is baking treats like these Coconut Flapjacks. It could be knitting or singing or running, whatever it is that you enjoy. Just make sure you make time for it regularly.
So let’s start setting goals for 2018 that really work and keep going forward! Don’t forget to let me know how you get on.
Now get to work, folks!
Becky says
Love these ideas Cat! Brilliant we all deserve that time for ourselves to think about our lives
Sarah | Boo Roo and Tigger Too says
Great ideas. I’m working hard on finding the right balance in my life this year.
Carolin says
I agree with each and every one of them. I think making real plans and keeping them achievable is so important. Lots of people just make the most hideous resolutions and have no clue how to get there. Knowing your next steps is crucial to succeeding, I think x