Release Your Resolutions

January 4, 2018

This year, the resolutions will not be televised! That’s right, I said it. We’ve all made the usual New Year’s resolutions—drop 25 pounds, get organized, clean out closets, be more positive, etc., etc., etc. We start off strong, only to fall off the wagon and go back to our old habits a few weeks later.

That’s why as we kick off 2018, I’m not going to create a laundry list of resolutions. I’ve decided to once again be smarter about my overly ambitious goals and clearly define my markers of success. For instance, last year I wrote down five goals—launch Personal Branding Website, begin writing a blog, acquire my Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) certification, add new clients, etc. I also wrote down key milestones to support my goals using the SMART method. And, I was able to accomplish four of the five goals.

For example, for the website, my milestones included conducting research, enlisting a web developer, creating a framework, and drafting copy, etc. By breaking the components down into bite-size chunks, the project became less overwhelming. This year, I’m primarily focused on writing a book about Personal Branding, and I’ve already begun mapping out my SMART milestones to support this effort.

Below are the SMART components that can help you reach your goals this year:
Specific: Set concrete, clearly defined goals with specific points of success.
Measurable: Whatever the goal is, find ways to measure progress.
Achievable: Aim high, but within reason. Your goal should be a stretch, but something you could achieve.
Relevant: Find a goal that matters enough to you that you’ll be motivated to stick with it.
Time-bound: Set a reasonable timeline for your goal, and focus on the small wins along the way.

Resilience Not Resolutions
Also, make sure your goals are constantly in front of you. Last year, I put mine in a pretty frame on my desk as a reminder. Some people also make their goals a screensaver on their computer. Do what works best for you.

While you may have some setbacks along the way, the important thing is not to give up and be patient. Patience has everything to do with being steadfast, being disciplined, being committed, and sticking with things all the way through.  Remember, it will take a lot of resilience and fortitude to accomplish your goals.

So happy New Year, and remember to release those resolutions unless you have a SMART plan of action!
Let me know what SMART goals you have set for the year and how will you measure success.

“My goals may seem impossibly far-fetched when really they’re not.
Break them down into steps and see how I accomplish great things.
I can easily reach from A to B.
I can manage from B to C.
I can then make it from C to D.
And so eventually, I will find my way from A to Z.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes