How to set goals for the new year correctly

Before the New Year, many people write a list of goals, but literally a week later they forget about it and remember only by summer. They begin to reproach themselves for not reaching a single one in six months and promise themselves that they will do everything next year. But usually history repeats itself.

The goal is the result of your desire and the efforts made to achieve it. Thus, you set a goal based on a vision of the future: a desired career, family relationships, health status, and so on. We've prepared tips to make 2019 the year of your dreams come true.

Important aspects of goal setting

There are several critical points about whichit is important to remember when planning the year:

• understanding the importance, priority of tasks;

• setting time frames for the implementation of each goal and subgoal;

• what knowledge is needed for implementation, how to get the necessary information ?;

• are there possible obstacles on the way, how to neutralize them ?;

• how to make the plan as realistic and effective as possible ?;

• how to maintain motivation throughout the year ?;

• believe in your own strength.

SMART method

One of the mostknown and effective goal setting techniques are considered SMART.Each of the five letters stands behind the required attribute of the goal:

1. Specific - specific.
   It is not enough to write an abstract goal - “to lose weight”.It is necessary to paint the nuances, to make the goal more visible - “to lose 10 kilograms” or to prescribe the desired parameters.Then it will be much easier for you to schedule the steps by month.

2. Measurable.
   Often people want to read more in the coming year.But how much more?5 books?10?25?If you do not choose the quantity, then at the end of the year it will be difficult for you to determine whether you have achieved your goal.Therefore, it is important to put a specific numerical result.This also applies to other goals with the word more: “exercise more,” “eat more vegetables and fruits,” “spend more time with the family.”

3. Attainable - attainable.
   Do not set goals that are potentially unattainable in a year.It is extremely difficult to start earning 200 thousand rubles a month if now it is 25 thousand.It is better to reduce the goal by making it achievable than to be angry with yourself for missing an item on the list.

4. Relevant - actual.
   Ask yourself the question “Why?”.You will be able to reveal your ultimate desire: “I will become happy”, “I am realized as a worker”.If your goal is tied to your vision of the future, then the motivation will be high

5. Time-bound - limited in time.
   Time constraints, promotes increased productivity and efficiency, especially when the deadline is approaching.A clear framework helps to focus on specific goals, and not deal with everything at once.

Tips for setting goals

1. Set goals that do not require outside help, so you will not shift responsibility to others.

2. Divide large tasks into small ones, they are easier to achieve.

3. Adjust targets as circumstances require.Everything does not always happen as we intended, and therefore it is necessary to be flexible in plans.

4. Choose goals that are attractive and inspiring.You can also find a role model that you admire.

5. Check yourself every month to note those tasks that you are lagging behind and identify non-relevant goals.

6. The list of goals should be structured, neat, clear and orderly.They need to be written out in blocks, subtasks should be prescribed for large tasks, andactions by months, weeks and days to achieve the result step by step.

Where to start?

• Analyze last year's goals, if you set them, did you achieve them, what obstacles you encountered.Think about how you see your future, what you want to achieve in each of the aspects: work, education, family, etc.

• Do not rush to complete all tasks at once, gradually add them to your routine.Allocate 10 minutes for each task, after a while you can increase the duration.

• Be prepared for change.Not all friends and acquaintances will understand your desire to quit smoking and drinking alcohol.In this case, you need to seriously think about what is more important: friends or health.

• Research your goals: find information, write down steps and their results.Do not be very demanding of yourself, otherwise motivation may disappear.

• Start with simple tasks that you can accomplish soon without serious sacrifice.The more such tasks you perform, the closer the end result, the higher the motivation and satisfaction.

Useful articles

• Performance-enhancing habits ;

• 15 concentration applications ;

• How to read more?;

• Methodology “Study Less, Study Smart” ;

• How to stay productive all day .