Australia has had a difficult start to 2020. While so many of us were celebrating with fireworks on New Years Eve, others were dealing with fire of a far different kind. We’ve watched heartbroken as bushfires have unfolded across our beautiful country destroying homes, lives and wildlife. At the same time, we’ve had a sense of pride at the selflessness of so many fighting the fires, donating to the relief efforts and supporting one another. At a time when we could all have felt hopeless, we have worked together to make a difference. This spirit has set the tone for the year for me. When people loose everything but are grateful to be alive, it puts a lot into perspective. It makes you conscious of what’s really important – our love ones, our environment and supporting each other.
So when sitting down to write out my goals this year, I felt inspired. I felt like I really knew what my priorities were and I wanted to make sure I achieved them. Now, I know planning isn’t for everyone – understatement perhaps, for those of you shuddering? Me, I’m a different species.
I always feel like I get so much more out of life when I have a plan. Without a good plan I’m just winging life. My head is a jumble of to-do-lists and and I’m a bundle of anxiety. We function so much better too as a family. It means we can all be on the same page, or at least have some idea what is happening. It means that there are things to look forward too and that life is not just about the daily grind. Making clear goals will allow you to build your plan for the year.
A goal without a plan is just a wish.
THE FORMULA TO ACHIEVE YOUR KEY GOALS
I have prepared a list of yearly goals for myself since 2005. It’s always interesting to look back through my previous list each year as I write my new ‘goals’. Unfortunately, in the past I’ve been great at listing my ‘goals’, but not always so good at following up on them and making sure I have a plan to achieve them – in reality I was making a list of ‘wishes’ with no follow-up to ensure they were accomplished. This year, I have a formula to make sure I focus on and realise my key goals. My five tips for making your goals achievable are as follows:
Know Your Passion
Despite all the articles out there about balance and achieving ‘everything’ you want in life, no one has the energy and expertise to master every aspect of their life. Get crystal clear on what really matters to you and your passion will motivate you in the year to come.
Less is More
When it comes to setting goals, I believe less is more. This year I have done my usual brain storm of ‘wishes’ across different areas of my life, but I have also picked 4 main goals to focus on. I’ve found that If I have too many goals, I simply don’t have the time or energy to achieve them all.
By selecting a handful of key goals you are not limiting yourself. You are simply giving yourself a clear focus. Once your key goals are mastered, you can then move on to new ones if need be.
This one step – choosing a goal and sticking to it – changes everything.
Be Specific
According to The Conversation, 80% of New Years resolutions will fail by Feburary. The top three resolutions for 2020 listed by google are:
- Loose weight
- Improve finances
- Exercise
The problem with these resolutions is that they are quite ambiguous. When making a resolution you’ll increase your chances of success if they are detailed and clear. To become a goal your wishes must be:
1 I MEASUREABLE
With an assessable quantity and/or time frame so that you have a clear target. For example: How much weight will you loose and in what time frame?
2 I ACTIONABLE
Have tangible, achievable actions or steps to ensure you get there. For example: What steps will you take to loose the weight?
Examples of how you could make the top three resolutions above more specific are:
- To loose 4-6kg in 12 weeks by eating smaller portion sizes and cutting out all junk food.
- To put $50 a week into a holiday fund by making my own lunches.
- To increase my fitness by running for 30 minutes during my lunch break three times per week.
Be Realistic
A huge list of goals can be overwhelming. Similarly, a goal that isn’t sensible or practical may feel impossible to achieve.
Set your goals high enough to inspire you and low enough to encourage you.
Track Your Progress
This is key. Instead of writing out a list and forgetting about it until next year (like I’ve done in the past), include your yearly goals every week as part of your weekly plan. This will ensure that they are a contstant focus and that you regularly follow up on them.
The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. You can help write that story by setting goals.
By choosing to focus on a small handful of specific goals for 2020, I hope you will be motivated and crystal clear on what you want to achieve and will be able to funnel your energy into creating real lasting changes. I’d love to hear what your goals are and how you intend to achieve them.
MY 4 KEY GOALS FOR 2020
1 PUT ASIDE WEEKLY ONE ON ONE TIME FOR MY FAMILY. This is at the top of my list. I want to be there for those that are important for me. I’m lucky to be available for my girls after school for chatting and unloading, but they really crave one on one time. My girls love sharing their hopes, challenges and dreams one on one and it’s hard making time for this (usually at the end of the day when I’m knackered). But these talks are so precious.
I’m conscious too, that weeks can go by when my Tiger and I barely have a conversation that isn’t about children or to do lists. I plan to incorporate a regular night where I tuck one of the girls in and just listen and to bring date night back. Why does it keep slipping away?
2 LOOSE 3KGS IN 6 WEEKS WITH SMALLER PORTIONS & HEALTHY EATING. Yes, the gorgeous Margaret River wineries and Christmas indulging have taken their toll, but mostly I want to be the best version of me – active and healthy for myself and my family. I will let you know about lifestyle changes shortly but a huge part of these 4-5kgs will be about mindful, healthy eating.
3 MAKE A MONTHLY CHANGE TO REDUCE MY IMPACT UPON THE PLANET. Looking at my impact upon the planet and sharing it with you, will be a focus this year that I look forward to. Being conscious of the environment and how I consume is important to me. I have started this journey of being more mindful with my choices, but have a long way to go.
4 HAVE ZERO PERSONAL DEBT BY END MARCH 2020. This has been a goal that has taken some time, a change in spending habits and smarter shopping. Christmas keeps getting the better of me, but no more. My PERSONAL STYLE GUIDE has helped me to shop smarter (buy less but buy well) as well as more mindful consuming and careful budgeting.
