Goals Are For Life, Not Just For New Year
Feb 4th, 2009 | By ruth | Category: Goal Setting, action planningWe tend to spend the first part of a New Year considering aspects of our lives that we don’t usually think about, often analysing our relationships, careers, hobbies or where we live. Some people make resolutions or set goals they wish to achieve in the year ahead and if they create a plan and stick to it, will get great results. Even if we only commit to making goals at this time of year, it is better than nothing. If we understand that setting goals helps us move forward quicker, then setting goals on a weekly or monthly basis seems sensible.
I also want to acknowledge that at this time of year, people also decide to make life changing alterations to their life, as they realise that they are unhappy with certain aspects and these can obviously have huge impacts on people in their lives. Whether this is starting or ending a relationship, changing career or starting a new one, any change needs careful consideration. This is where having someone else to talk to who is unbiased and non-judgemental can really help. Whatever changes you wish to make need planning and a date when you wish to achieve them by. Without planning and consideration, some decisions made in the New Year can be regretted or not achieved at all.
So my advice is to make resolutions and set goals and if it’s a larger or life-changing project, get help from a non-biased, non-judgemental friend or employ a Life Coach to help you, if you are really serious about achieving it and want to be kept on track. Good Luck!
Ruth O’Neil
I think people can be their own ‘life coach’ just as easily. It’s just a matter of really (no, REALLY) wanting it. If it comes from within, almost anything is possible.
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Dan O’Neil says… I agree with you to a point. My own personal experience is that I can get so far on my own, then I need to get in front of someone to thrash it out and make things happen. A good coach will make the difference between achieving something and blowing your target apart and achieving beyond what you knew you were capable of.
One of my friends was just diagnosed with diabetes and I can tell he is having a hard time with the adjustments that go along with this illness. I’m trying to convince him that he might need to tackle things on a smaller level, like the monthly goals you talk about. Maybe I’ll convince him to find a life coach nearby. (he’s a face to face kinda guy)
Dan O’Neil says… I’m not a big fan of the word convince! I think you can suggest someone gets help, then you have to allow them the space and time to decide to or not. Life change when it is thrust upon you can be difficult to take and people often take time to seek help. Some people never do.
Hi, I def. agree with you here and I think this post has inspired me to change my working patterns. Currently I am a bit all over the place with the tasks I’ve got to do. I have some things on the todo list which have been there for about 9 months now. Really need to set some time frames and goals.
Dan O’Neil says… Great! Set those targets and go for it!
Too many people use the New Year as the only time to evaluate their lives. This is a good time to take a look at where you are and where you want to be, but it is not the only time.
Anytime that you are at a crossroads or just feel like you can use a change you should step back and evaluate your life.
Dan O’Neil says… I’d advise that you do it regularly, not simply when you want a change or are stuck.
Very good point! We should always be making new goals and doing what it takes to reach them. You don’t have to save all your resolutions for the new year.
Dan O’Neil says… Thanks Trent
They say that if you set a goal to start something at a future date you never will. So there is no time like the present to set those goals and start down the path right away.
Dan O’Neil says… Interesting point there – thanks for sharing.
One of the most important questions in goal setting is this:
What do I really want to do with my life? If you could do or be or have anything at all in life, what would it be? Remember, you can’t hit a target you can’t see. You should return to this question over and over again in the months and years ahead.
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Dan O’Neil says… Thanks Ahmed – there is great value in this exercise.
I think discipline is the key to achieve your goal. People tend to procrastinate.
Dan O’Neil says… Action helps too!
Certainly this part of year is really exciting because this one belongs to day dreaming. Only dreaming about them give me excitement.
But when it comes to reality and make them happen we become lazy and start postponing the goal. We choose enjoyment in front of our goal and the result we stuck there where we were before one year.
Yes I think your idea about life coach or friends help will really help.
Dan O’Neil says… It’s easy to have the rewards now and do the work later. Especially when you have credit cards!
Too many people use the New Year as the only time to evaluate their lives. This is a good time to take a look at where you are and where you want to be, but it is not the only time.
Dan O’Neil says… Good point.
I can never understand how people make goals then never follow up. A goal is not a one time promise it is a commitment to do something. You have to check how your doing on your goals and adjust them to make them happen overe time. It take work to reach any goal and it is worth the effort it takes.
Dan O’Neil says… I think it’s best to not think too much about those people who mystify us! They are doing their best as we are doing ours! I agree though, it is odd!