7 Steps to Smashing Your Goals in 2021

Beginning a new year is such a hopeful time. Whether we break out an unblemished calendar or merely scroll over to the month of January on our smart phones, there’s the sense of being given a fresh start every January. We make notes, either mentally or on paper, of New Year’s resolutions we’re determined to accomplish. Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking about your ideal future, and for motivating yourself to turn your vision of this future into reality by smashing your goals in 2021. The process of setting goals helps you choose where you want to go in life. By knowing precisely what you want to achieve, you know where you have to concentrate your efforts. You’ll also quickly spot the distractions that can, so easily, lead you astray.

With that said, as we optimistically set out to achieve great things at the beginning of the year, we must break our goals down into small manageable, attainable and realistic ones. Setting new year resolutions has been a long time tradition but did you know that statistics show that only about 10% of people actually stick to their new year resolutions past the month of January?

I am a huge proponent of self improvement and and an even bigger proponent of setting goals that are actually measurable and attainable. With that said, let’s make 2021 the year we actually accomplish our goals with these 7 steps:

1. WRITE YOUR GOALS DOWN

A sure way to make things happen is to write it down. It sounds strange, but there is enormous power in putting things down on paper, and according to research you become 42% more likely to achieve your goals and dreams when it’s written. I always keep a physical (paper) planner even though I use the planner on my smartphone as well. After years of not being able to find the perfect planner, I have decided to create a goal planner and to share it with my readers.

2. PRIORITIZE YOUR GOALS

Identify the top priority areas that you want to work on. Is it health? Finances? Career? It could be all of the above, but pinpoint specific things in each category to work on. For example, if it’s finances a realistic goal would be to increase your monthly savings by 5% or to save $X amount for an emergency fund by X-date. This process of narrowing your goals down helps to weed out the ones you just aren’t that committed to. 

3. MAKE YOUR GOALS S.M.A.R.T

So how exactly do you set intentions that you will actually stick to? Be SMART about it.

Before you set a goal, first figure out your “why.” By figuring out and articulating the reason you want to achieve something you are more likely to remain motivated to stick to it, rather than it being something you think you should do.

S - Small and Specific: Break your goals into smaller, more specific ones. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier in 2021, be more specific by making it about adding 1 fresh fruit or vegetable and a bottle of water per day for the month of January.

M - Measurable : All your goals must be measurable, that means you should be able to describe the physical manifestation of the outcome of your goal. Example, losing 2lbs per week by adding one fruit or vegetable and a bottle of water to our diet each day.

A - Attainable and Accountability: Is your goal attainable? Can you realistically achieve your goal? Another great way to stay on track is to find an accountability partner. Example, someone who will check in to make sure you had your fruit/vegetable each day or someone who will ensure you meal prep.

R - Relevant and Realistic: Is this goal relevant to you or even realistic? Ensure you’re not setting a goal that you really don’t care about and hence not realistic. Example, I dislike running. If i make it a goal of mine to incorporate running 1 mile/day I know I will fail. Instead, I ensure I get my cardio in by getting on the elliptical, bike or taking a Zumba class.

T - Timely: Make a tentative plan for everything you do. Don’t just make it a goal to exercise once per day. You know your schedule, you know if you’re a morning or late night person. Instead of saying you will work out once per day, say you will work out at 5:30 each morning for 1 hour before work/school.

4. FIGURE OUT HOW YOU WILL ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS

This is where we sometimes lose focus. We may know what goal(s) we want o accomplish but the steps in how to accomplish them might get blurry.

Say you want to increase your savings this year. As in the example above, you would start by committing to an extra 5% of your biweekly salary. To make this actually attainable would be to automate it. If 5% of your biweekly salary is $350 then automate that amount to go into your savings vehicle twice per month. A “set it and forget it” approach works well in this case.

5. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS, REFLECT AND RE-CALIBRATE

Resist the urge to freestyle your goals and actually check your progress as you go along. What can you improve? What isn’t working? At the end each month, take time out to analyze what you have achieved, what you failed to achieve and how to improve on this. Journaling as you go along and circling back at the end of each month can really help you to stay on track.

6. ADJUST TO LIFE’S LEMONS

Life gets in the way and can derail you. Things such as illness, family commitments, work, life emergencies etc can impact your goals. Take note of these things and adjust as you proceed. 

7. ASK FOR HELP

Lastly, get an accountability partner. Have a friend or loved one you can lean on  for moral support and encouragement, you will need it from time to time. If you need specific help, reach out to those who can offer any guidance or assistance. The internet and social media is a great way to make connections.

Bonus: Be your own D**n Cheerleader and eliminate self doubt. Figure out what keeps you motivated and inspired. I love quotes! I keep them everywhere - my phone’s wallpaper, sticky notes around the house, on my desk at work, on the bathroom mirror, etc. I listen to music, books and podcasts that are uplifting. I tolerate no negativity and try to stay away from it at all costs.

Remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish. By breaking down your goals into bite-sized, manageable actions and writing them down, setting goals and intentions for the new year that you can actually stick to becomes a much easier process.

Grab your planner and let’s smash our 2021 goals! Remember, a sure way to make things happen is to write it down.