It is time for everyone to start their resolutions but I urge you: DON’T! Why? Well, how many times have you or a family member made a New Year’s Resolution and come February (or a week later) you have already forgotten about it or dropped it? Exactly. That is why I urge you to make New Year’s Goals instead.
The difference between the two is simple. A resolution is when you say you are going to do something to change your life and that is about as far as it goes. A goal is something you write down along with the steps it will take to accomplish the goal and with a time frame on finishing it. The process of goal setting allows you to make small steps over a period of time rather than looking at the big thing you want and thinking it is to big to even mess with (it is the whole ‘How do you eat an elephant?’ thing).
Want to lose weight? Get out of debt? Spend more time with family? Simply set up your goals the SMART way (first published by Paul J. Meyer):
- Specific – Instead of “I want to lose weight” change it to “I want to lose 20 pounds.”
- Measurable – You have to be able to measure the goal (it is three weeks in, how much weight have you lost).
- Attainable – Your goal must be something that is reasonable. Something within your life that can be reached.
- Relevant – Your goal needs to be something that matters even if only to yourself. If you don’t care if you stop eating junk then your goal is not relevant.
- Time Bound – You have to have a time frame around it. Maybe it is a six month time and maybe it is five years but you must have a time set.
Let us all go out and make 2013 the best we can!
Sources:
- TIME’s Top 10 Commonly Broken New Year’s Resolutions (online link no longer valid 7/31/14)
- SMART Criteria
- Money Saving Mom’s 2012 Goals