2020 Goals

GOALS

This year is your year and it’s going to be different! Ok, lets be honest we have all started off a year with the greatest of intentions and then a few weeks down the line things started to slow and before we knew it we got half way through 2019 making those same poor choices and ending the year pondering where it all went wrong!

Top tips for success for SMART goal setting in 2020

Grab an old fashioned piece of paper and pen and WRITE your goals down! Don't put them on your computer, phone or tablet as these need to be in sight.

Think about what goals add value to your life and what is important as these will motivate you to succeed.

Focus on your high priority goals; if you set too many you can end up having too little time to devote to each one and risk failing, leading to disappointment and frustration.

Stick with it! Remember, your goals are ongoing; if you have a bad day just brush yourself down and get back on track.

Build in monthly reminders to review your goals because the action plan you set for yourself at the start of the year may need to change significantly along the way and reward your success!

S

Specific Your goal must be clear and well defined; think of this as your road map guiding you where to go by defining precisely where you want to end up. For example if one of your goals is to lose weight, write down how much weight you want to lose in total.

M

Measurable If you don't measure how do you know you're still on the right path? By including precise amounts, dates, and so on in your goals so you can measure your degree of success. If as per the example above your goal is "To lose weight"; break down the total over the months, weeks or even days. Without this way of measuring your success you miss out on the celebrations that come with knowing you have actually achieved something.

A

Attainable Make sure that it's possible to achieve the goals you set. For example we might set a goal to have a body like Adriana Lima but without some unworldly intervention ensuring we can inhabit a clone the chances of most us growing to 5'10' or achieving it are zero. If you set a goal that you have no hope of achieving, you will only demoralise yourself and erode your confidence.

R

T

Relevant How many times has a friend started a zero sugar/carb diet or joined a Zumba class and talked you into it but you have not given it your all and wasted your time and money because deep down it wasn't YOUR life goal. Goals should be your own and relevant to the direction you want your life and career to take. By keeping goals aligned with this you'll develop the focus you need to get ahead and do what YOU want.

Timely A year is a long time to keep your motivation high so set shorter time-bound goals. Again, this means that you know when you can celebrate success. When you are working to a deadline, your sense of urgency increases and achievement will come that much quicker. All your goals must have a deadline!