Goal Setting for the New Year

 Hey Galionites,

As we approach the end of what's been an ... interesting ... year, I wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing.

New Years Resolutions and Goals Image by h kama from Pixabay

Me... I'm doing my best to look ahead to the coming year and put this... disaster of a year... in the rear view mirror.

Do You Set New Years Resolutions?

I think New Years Resolutions are an interesting concept, and I always wonder how others feel about them. 

I don't set resolutions, personally, because they're so easily cast aside - usually within a day or two.

I do, however, set goals, which I frequently revisit and adjust. 

I go with goal setting over resolutions because it matches the way I think, and, I guess, the things I learned about way back when I was in college. 

I tend to stick with goals - or at least revisit and adjust them - whereas I don't stick with resolutions. 

I don't want to waste your time chatting about my goals for the new year, though. 

What's the Difference Between Setting Goals and Making Resolutions?

When you set goals, you're looking at and comparing where you are to where to you want to be, whereas making a resolution is focused on something you want.

Making a resolution is more like wishing than putting your mental beans behind figuring out how to change anything in your world.

The difference, applying a realistic assessment, is one of the things that makes it more likely that a goal will succeed compared a resolution. 

There are also steps involved in goal setting, and if you put in the thought effort and list the steps you need to follow to achieve your goals, then you basically have a checklist you can use when you're working toward your goals. 

Mental Beans and Making a Goal-Setting Checklist

Goal setting checklist Image by Markus Winkler from Pixabay

Setting goals can be challenging because it requires honestly evaluating your current situation and choosing the thing or things you most want to change. 

1. Evaluate your starting point.

Being honest with yourself about things you don't like - about yourself - can be tough. 

2. Choose your destination - a.k.a. your goal.

To make a map, you need to know your destination so you don't end up running around in circles with no end. 

3. Break your major goal into smaller, actionable steps and list them.

This step is so important, because it gives you clear things you can do to achieve your goal.

4. Add dates to have each step completed.

And, also set a date to reassess in case you need to adjust the steps or dates on the steps. 

Some Final Thoughts on New Years Goal Setting

So, you're probably wondering what this has to do with Galion. 

Well, people everywhere tend to put  a lot of emphasis on setting New Year's Resolutions, and Galionites are no different, right?

Especially after the kind of year 2020 has been it's normal to want to start fresh with 2021 and some great new, potentially life-changing goals!

If you're setting goals (or making resolutions) for the new year, I wish you the best of luck in succeeding. 

If you're not, I get it, some years I don't either.

Either way, I wish you and your loved ones a happy and prosperous new year, and I hope everything you want from the new year comes to pass!

Happy New Year 2021 Image by Ljiljana Smilevski from Pixabay