5 Tips That’ll Help You Nail Your New Year’s Goals
Keep that motivation going well into the year.
We’ve all been there. Spending New Year’s Eve spitting out unrealistic and unachievable dreams and calling them resolutions. Lo and behold, by the 6th of January we’re back to smashing cake and splurging $180 on a new pair of shoes.
Well, we’re already well into 2018, so if you’re keen to stop messing about and finally put an end to your bad habits, here are some tips to keep yourself on track (even for those who have already fallen off the bandwagon).
#1 Be S.M.A.R.T. About It, Dummy!
SMART goals are a lifesaver. No, this isn’t about making them super clever and inventive; it’s about making them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-based. Yay for acronyms! Spend some dedicated time mapping out your goals and breaking them down in small ways. This way, you can work towards them every day. Lets break one down:
In 2018, I will be employed in an entry-level position in the marketing field.
This goal in very specific and covers the ‘who, what, when and where’ – Tick! The Measurable part is there because you’ll know you’ve reached your goal when you get the sweet phone call offering you the position – Tick! The goal is achievable and realistic for someone who is currently studying or recently graduating marketing – Tick! Tick! And we know this goal needs to be achieved in 2018 – Tickity Tick Tick!
#2 Small Steps Reap Big Rewards
You’re not going to wake up one day and poof, you’re running a multi-million dollar start up or been cast as Chris Hemsworth’s love interest in the next Thor movie. You need to figure out what you can do every single day that moves you closer to your goals.
Be it riding your bike to work or applying for one job per week, making small daily targets will help you turn the almost impossible into the achievable.
#3 Make Your Goals Visible
What’s the point of spending all that time figuring out your goals if they’re just going to live in the bottom of your bedside table drawer for twelve months? Instead of letting them rot away, put them on display!
On your desk, in your wardrobe, on the fridge – wherever you’ll see them every day and be reminded of what you want to achieve and how you’re going to get there. I suggest getting yourself some nice cardboard, write down your goals in nice pens, colour the paper in with pencils and frame it.
#4 Work Towards A Reward
Rewards are the best, and they taste so much better when earned. If you need some motivation for your goals, you can make a little list of things to reward yourself with when you reach a target or achieve a goal. Just maybe don’t reward yourself with store bought chocolate cake if you’re trying to eat less sugar.
#5 Don’t Lose Sight Of The Big Picture
Figure out a way to know if you’re working hard enough at your goals. It’s all well and good rewarding yourself but what happens when you’ve stopped working towards what you want? How will you know?
Don’t wake up on December 31st and realise you haven’t gone to the gym in nine months or spent all the money you we’re supposed to be saving for your holiday on weekly brunch dates. Set yourself little opportunities to check in with your goals and make sure you’re still on the right track.
Sticking to your goals is all about “buying in”. Make them SMART, desirable and possible and you’ll be quickly on your way to nailing that News Years resolution.
Kelly Walker is a creative writer and recovering bagel addict based in Melbourne. When she’s not writing or playing roller derby, she’s searching for the best smashed avo ever. She’s on Twitter at @kellywalker89 and promises to start tweeting, one day.
(Lead image: Stick It/Touchstone Pictures)