Happy New Year!!!

2022 is long gone, and we can’t get it back. So it’s time to look ahead and plan for a better year. I’ve always believed it’s essential to set goals. Whether they are achieved or not is up to you, but it’s better to have a guide than to just coast. You discover that things get accomplished when you have a guide or reference point.

Every new year, I write down my desires or goals. Sometimes, I even carry over unaccomplished plans from the previous year. There’s no shame in being truthful about your progress as long as you trust the process. It’s never too late to start, and if you’re reading this, I’m nudging you.

I set my 2023 goals this week and I’m excited to get to work. I have some goal-setting guidelines I’ve adopted for the past two years when setting goals, and I’m sharing them with you today.

Goal-Setting Guidelines

1.) Be Honest With Yourself

Don’t lie to yourself. Make sure you are setting goals YOU want to achieve.

2.) Believe in Yourself

You need to believe that you can achieve your desires and wishes. Believe in your power and capability to make things happen. Believe that you can do what you set your mind to.

3.) Don’t Overthink It

We all know that overthinking does more harm than good. Don’t let the worst case scenarios scare you from making plans and working hard to achieve them.

4.) Set SMART Goals

Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time bound. Set realistic goals.

5.) Write Your Goals Down

Don’t just think about them. Bring them to life by writing them down. This makes you know that they exist and remind you that you need to accomplish them.

6.) Categorize Your Goals

To propel you in the right direction, it’s better to categorize your goals with pillars. Some of my pillars include; career, health & fitness, travel, etc.

7.) Don’t Set Goals Because Everyone is Doing It

If you aren’t doing this for yourself, just stop! You should set New Year goals because you want to be better and do better. You should set goals because you want to grow, not to feel among or please other people.

8.) Identify The Obstacles That May Hinder Achievement

As with everything in life, there are always obstacles that may get in the way. When setting your goals, consider the hinderances that you may encounter and account for them in your plans.

9.) Visualize The End Result

Picture yourself at the end. If one of your goals is to buy a house before the end of the year, visualize yourself holding the key to your house.

These guidelines seem simple right? I hope they help you set better goals for the new year. Now, get cracking!

May 2023 be awesome, spectacular, mind blowing and exceptional for you.

Mariam Shittu