Goals for 2021
New Year’s is often a time of reflection on the past year as well as an opportunity to make plans for the year ahead. Many of us make common resolutions like losing weight or saving more money, and often we are not successful in fulfilling them. I am willing to bet many of you made these same types of resolutions for 2020. No one could have expected 2020 to turn out the way that it did. It has challenged all of us and pushed us to our limits. Looking forward to 2021, we are anxious to get back to our “normal” lives; but we should also consider what positive changes we made in 2020 and how to continue them into 2021. Here are some tips for being more successful with your 2021 resolutions.
Set SMART goals- SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based. SMART goals give you clear, definitive goals and set you up for success.
Write your goals down and look at them frequently. This keeps your goals fresh in your mind to help motivate you. Use definitive phrasing, like “I will” instead of “I may.”
Create a reasonable plan to achieve your goals. Write this down too, and check back on it as you execute the plan. Writing out the steps to achieve your goal and then crossing them off as you go helps you see your progress.
Visualize yourself achieving your goals often, especially if you begin to waver from your action plan. Visualization can be a powerful tool to help motivate you.
Keep going! There will almost always be a time when you want to quit or give up. 2020 definitely taught us the importance of perseverance. Continue that perseverance into 2021 and achieve your goals.
Good luck with your 2021 resolutions, and have a happy New Year!
