It's a New Year! Setting Goals and Tactics to Achieve Them
So yes, it’s a new year. 2022 is upon us, and, well, I do feel a bit different. We are still in the grips of the pandemic, yes, but some of the news points to things morphing into an endemic phase, hopefully getting things back to a tad more normal. However, that’s not what I’m writing about today. Instead, I wanted to start the new year on a philosophical note. I think it’s important to temper one’s fear and, sometimes, crushing stress over the negatives of the past and instead look forward…firmly. We can’t change what’s behind us; we can only forge ahead.
Some of us have flourished during the pandemic, others not so much. And, depending on what you read, we could be up for more doom and gloom in 2022, or maybe not? I think it’s about a positive frame of mind and making more lemonade (out of relative lemons). Heck, I wrote an article early in the pandemic about making Lemonade out of Lemons. Really, what choice do we have? So, let’s look forward, not back, and by all means, don’t be afraid to look up (a reference to a great film on Netflix titled Don’t Look Up (Meryl Streep, Leonardo De Caprio, Jonah Hill, Jennifer Lawrence). There are some ways to think AND act positively with GOAL SETTING as we sail forward below.
Setting Goals
Yeah, yeah, yeah, setting goals. We’ve all heard this a million times, but there is a reason. It’s like stereotypes; those too exist for a reason. Setting goals is crucial to forward development and overall positivity. It’s just too easy to flick on the TV, watch the latest series, and languish. Now is not the time for that! It’s time to set out what you want to change in your life for the better and hold yourself to it. Cliche? Yes. Important? Without question. So, make a list of simple (low-hanging fruit) and more challenging goals.
The benefit of the easy goals is the satisfaction of checking them off your list and how that adds fuel to your drive to accomplish the more complex tasks. Indeed, serotonin is released when you complete something, however small. Serotonin reduces stress, which adds positively to your energy base…allowing for the more difficult tasks to be a little easier. Stress robs the body of energy, drives sickness, etc., so get your stress reducers where you can! And one tip? Handwrite your goals into a notebook (don’t use the computer). Why? Because studies have shown that writing things down puts them into your brain much more firmly. Further, having a small notebook with your goals allows you to visit, revisit, etc., as you check off your accomplishments. And if you do write down even the most minor goals (essential), it’s just so darn satisfying to check them off. Goal completion becomes addictive, and this, in turn, drives you to complete more. It’s a positive feedback cycle so try hard to get on it! ;).
Don’t Do it Alone
Set goals with a trusted friend or partner. The motivation and positivity that can result from “doing things together” can be all the difference between achieving and not. Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash
Setting about to make changes in your life can be a challenging task, yet it is MUCH TOUGHER if you're trying to do it alone. Not only does it help to have "comfort in numbers," the adage that if we're doing something hard, well, at least we're not doing it alone, but having others involved in your goal setting and, more importantly, goal achieving, is crucial to your success. You NEED someone else to keep pushing you; make sure you stay on task (and visa versa). If you can find a suitable partner, someone you respect and set goals together…and commit to keeping tabs on one another, your chances of success are much higher. To color this point, check out this great article titled, "Achieve Goals with the Help of Your Friends." Posted on Atria Senior Living, this article notes four critical elements in addition to the obvious one of keeping tabs, keeping up the motivation:
Find Your "Glass-Is-Half-Full" Friend: As noted in the Atria Senior Living article, science-backed data shows we behave similarly to those we surround ourselves with. So, be around positive people who find the "silver lining." That positivity helps your energy, stress, and sense of what is possible.
Seek Out the Truth-teller: While being around positive people is good, you also need someone realistic and not afraid to tell things like they are. Ignorance can be bliss, but ignorance can also backfire, impeding goal accomplishment. It would help if you had a friend/partner on the goal-setting drive who can be honest about things, helping you make the best decisions.
Ask for Advice: Nobody knows everything, and we ALL have something to offer. Do reach out and seek advice from trusted sources to help you on your journey. If your goal is to get into rock climbing for physical health, then contact a friend that knows about the sport and can help you skip some of the early mistakes on getting going. People love to share their expertise, so don't be shy here.
Celebrate Your Wins Together: Having someone to celebrate your goal achievements with is deeply satisfying. Of course, it's personally satisfying to achieve something you set out to do independently. Yet goal completion takes on a new luster when you get to share and celebrate with another.
Reward Yourself: We all like gold stars. From childhood, ingrained in us is the satisfaction of "getting something for your efforts." Like Pavlov's dogs, that carrot tastes excellent (if we can reach it). Yet some goals are big…so consider breaking your bigger goals into mini-goals on your way to the larger goals' completion. For example, if your goal is to create salable art, begin by doing some sketching…and after putting in some good work there, reward yourself with new art supplies to take you even further. I recently did this as making a go of art again is one of my 2022 goals. I'm feeling even more motivated with my new art supplies in hand.
Thumbnail Image: Photo by Ronnie Overgoor on Unsplash