Time is running so fast! Can you believe that it’s already September? It’s time do some goals checklist and check on your New Year’s resolutions you’ve set for this year. There are still three months plus left, so there is still the time to devote to these goals. Do not recycle your New Year’s resolutions in January next year, but instead commit to achieving those goals this year. You can do it. Here’s how.
Want to Bust Your New Year’s Resolutions? Do this
Here are helpful steps to make this September a month to remember and crush your goals:
1. Self-reflection Matters
Get clarity on how you’ve spent this year so far and where you are standing with your goals. Powerful questions that you can ask yourself are:
- What were my New Year’s Resolutions and 2017 goals?
- How much did I achieve out of my goals set in January?
- What didn’t I achieve?
- Why I did not achieve ________?
- Did I really commit to achieving my goals in past eight months?
- Why did I not commit fully?
- Are these goals really important to me and why?
2. Redefine your strategy for achieving goals
I would suggest that you first read the article “7 Strategies That Can Help You Achieve Anything You Want”. Then come back to this paragraph and make an action plan, with creative solutions and concrete action steps that you will take until the end of the year, like for example:
-I will join Zumba fitness class, drink one smoothie in a day, drink four glasses of water every day, in next three months, in order to lose weight and fit in my dream New Year Eve dress. (Extra motivation is always good! ;).
-I will give classes of French language on weekends, cancel subscriptions on __________, do my manicure at home instead in saloon, cut my expenses on ordering food and cook at home meals with seasonal vegetables, in order to save X amount of money for working with a coach, buying ______, investing in, trip to _________ … and so on.
Have a great, realistic strategy, but also effective, as you’ve got little over three months left to make it happen. It’s not impossible, it’s doable, but you need to commit and you need to work hard to make it happen!
3. Say NO to things that don’t really matter or distract you
Get serious! Become the master of your time. That means saying NO to activities that are consuming your time but don’t give you much value (like hanging on social media, watching junk television programs, laziness in bed or on sofa…). Also, you need to start saying NO even the things that are bringing you joy, for a period of time, so that you the time to devote to your goals. That means fewer outings with friends, less shopping, fewer phone distractions, less YouTube videos, less clubbing, fewer family visits, and so on…
4. Plan your goals in life!
Yes, plan your goals in your everyday life. If you keep on saying that you will do it (whatever the activity is that you need to do in order to achieve your goals is) tomorrow or “when you have the time” (this one’s a goal slayer!), you will not have the time and you will not do it tomorrow. That’s called procrastination!
You need to make the time in your day and in your week to work on your goal(s). That means planning 15 minutes within your day to make and drink that free smoothie, planning your Zumba classes, planning your marketing strategy hours to expand your business, planning the time for going to the gym, planning the time to cook a healthy meal, planning the time to meditate, to write post for your blog, to write that chapter of your book… and so on.
Unless you plan the days and specific hours for your goals you can be sure that you will be recycling them again in January next year as your 2018. New Year’s resolutions!
5. Get help in achieving your goals
This one is really important! There is less time anyway and if you’re trying to a lonely warrior here… well, chances are that you won’t make it on time! Ask yourself this important question:
“Who can help me to achieve this goal?”
Then list down all the people that come to your mind. The third step is to reach out to those people.
Depending on your goals, think of the limitations you are facing and write down who can help. For example, you might need to ask someone to watch over your kids while you are working on your business, attending class in evening or exercising in the gym. You might need some financial help (a.k.a. a loan) to invest in working with a coach, weight loss program, or education for your dream job. You might need someone to help you with the accounting so that you finally get your finances in order. You might need to hire a VA or an assistant. You might need someone to help you with your blog, magazine, or networking. You might need to ask your friend circle and family members to recommend you, everyone, they know, to expand your client base. You might need to ask someone to recommend your CV to your dream employer. Do not list yourself only on people you know in person, as we are living in a digital era and you can reach to people on social media or by e-mail very easily!
If you are struggling with achieving your goals for a long time and you feel like you’ve tried it all, but things are just not working out, and you’re getting desperate or discouraged, then you might need to work a coach to assist you. Depending on your goals, you can look for a health coach (weight loss or embracing healthier lifestyle), relationship coach (to help you fall in love with yourself and find the right partner), life coach (to help you achieve your dream life goals and set powerful action steps and strategy, deal with stress, boost your confidence, maintain work-life balance, and increase overall happiness and satisfaction in your life), fitness coach (to help with the right workout and training), or business coach (to help you take your business to the next level).
Whatever is the limitation you are facing, you need to be resourceful and find someone to help you to make it happen. Check your ego out of the door and check instead your goal list for this year: make them a priority!