Stop Making Resolutions, Start Being Intentional

There is a lot of talk about resolutions and goals this time of year. Funny as we get further into the year you don’t hear much about it. Do you find yourself setting goals because “its’ that time of year?”

Statistics show that only about 8% of the people actually meet their goals or resolutions. So what are the rest of us doing? Submitting to the pressure of setting goals because we are supposed to? Setting us up to fail?

This is your life. How about getting intentional?

 Why?

I do believe that we need to set goals for our life. Have you ever jumped in your car to go somewhere when you realize you don’t know how to get there and you don’t have directions? Oh, you may eventually reach your destination, but you will probably get lost along the way, waste time, and waste money. Going through life without a plan can be like that. I don’t know many of us that have time and/or money to waste.

When?

You don’t have to do it at the beginning of the year. You don’t even have to do it at the beginning of a month. Don’t rush into it. This is your life we are talking about. Take time to think about what you really want to achieve, both short term and long-term goals. But make sure you do it.

 Now what?

1. Set Your Goals

• Start Small  – Why do we always think more is better? If 2 are good for me then 5 must be better? Try starting small especially if you have had difficulty achieving your goals in the past. Set a goal that you have a really good chance of achieving. It may sound like you are sand bagging it, but in reality we all need to have that feeling of being successful. Then you can build momentum on that success.
• Make it Measurable – If you can’t measure it then how do you know you have attained it? Sometimes I believe we do this because it is safe. We can’t say we failed, but then we can’t say we reached it either. Why bother?

2. Make A Plan

• Map it out – We know what we want so how do we get there. Just like the road trip, you need to map it out. This can be difficult.  This step is critical. If you are struggling with this I would encourage you to reach out for some assistance. You must be able to execute it.
• Keep it short and simple. – If you were driving across the country you would not get there in one day. The journey would be made up of several day trips. This can apply to achieving your goals. Don’t make too many goals at once. It can overwhelm and stop you from doing anything.

3. Work The Plan

• Start – We can write out our goals and come up with a strategy but if we stop there, well then we stop. This may sound silly but I have seen too often where someone gets caught up in all the creating and strategizing and never executes the plan.
• Accountability – I know this word is looked upon negatively in many cases. Accountability is actually a good thing. Successful people ask to be held accountable. We all can get side tracked. Some of us easier than others. What do you do when it happens? Can you get back on track or do you lose focus and move on to something else? Having someone come alongside you and help you stay accountable for your goals will increase the success of achieving your goals to 95%.
• Checkpoints – It is important to check your progress along the way. How are you doing? Did you just make a pit stop or fall in a ditch?

For most of us, our goals and plans change. It is ok to make changes along the way. It is also ok to ask for help, with all of it or just a part of it. This is your life. Make this your best year ever. It’s time to get intentional.