Ready, Steady, Goal

By Morag Barrett, Founder and CEO, SkyeTeam and CWCC Member

It’s that time of year again where our focus shifts to what we want to achieve, or be different in 2014.  It is “New Year’s Resolution” making season – not to be confused with “New Year’s Resolution Breaking” season which doesn’t officially start until January 2^nd. It always amazes me the power that January 1^st seems to wield over us.  You only have to look at the gym in January, it is jam packed with new athletes who as miraculously vanish by mid-February.

Here are five tips to ensure that your 2014 goals don’t remain a dream:

1. Create a list of “Could Do’s” not necessarily the “Will Do’s”. – Identify areas that are important to you, e.g. health, family, work, hobbies, travel. List these items and then describe what success or good looks like in each area, what you’d like to see more of or different. Be specific as this may help you to identify and prioritize the actions you need to take.  It’ll also make it easier for you to know when you have arrived!
2. Pick ONE thing. Too often I see people create a laundry list of things to be done, 100 things to change / improve / learn, and then wonder why they get overwhelmed. Instead I challenge you to take that list of “could do’s” and pick just ONE thing.  One item you care about, are truly committed to making a new or increased part of your life.  The rest will still be there, waiting for you in March, you can pick something else to add to the to-do list then.
3. Choose baby-steps not giant-leaps. I have also seen people who think they should be able to “leap buildings in a single bound” and create action steps that are simply too big for the average human.  Instead think of baby-steps, instead of “I’m going to go to the gym everyday” try “I’m going to work out once a week” and then DO IT. It takes about 30 days for a new habit to form and when you’re ready, add the next step, and the next. Over time you’ll pick up momentum and successfully reach your goal.
4. Find an accountability partner – When making a change it is much easier to do it with someone else rather than on your own.  Find yourself a “gym buddy” or equivalent. Someone who will be waiting for you at the night class, or at the gym, so you can’t skip it – as now you’d not just let yourself down.
5. Do it TODAY… Not January 1^st.  Don’t wait, what is the ONE thing you can do TODAY, right now, that will move you closer to your goal? Do it. Feel the sense of satisfaction in achieving this first step. 

There you have it, my five tips to set and achieve your goals.  What would you add?

Morag Barrett is the author of Cultivate: The Power of Winning Relationships (Franklin Green Publishing, March 2014) as well as the founder and CEO of SkyeTeam, an international HR consulting and leadership development company. Morag’s experience ranges from senior executive coaching to developing teams across Europe, America and Asia. SkyeTeam works with clients in a range of industries including: Healthcare, Telecoms, Mining, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology.  www.skyeteam.com