Our blogs this month have been focused on preparing for successful goal setting in the new year. So far we have discussed:
· goal areas to focus on,
· writing down goals,
· prioritizing goals,
· estimating time frame,
· and estimating resources.
All of the topics above have been focusing on laying the foundation to ensure goal success in 2022. So the next topic is about how to stay goal-focused.
What can you do to make sure you're staying focused on your goals in 2022?
1. Write It Down
Various studies have proved that people who write down their goals are more likely to successfully accomplish them. But additionally, reviewing your goals at regular intervals also increases the likelihood of success.
One of our facilitators, Carl Hicks, is a big believer in this research. You don’t have to spend much time with him before he pulls out a colored index card from his shirt pocket to review his goals.
I rarely wear shirts with pockets so I have to find other ways to display my goals. I use sticky notes on my computer, write them on my office whiteboard and post goals on my mirror. I’ve also used a vision board for my computer screen and have made pictures of goals my home screen of my phone (particularly when it involves a trip).
What would work best for you?
Ask yourself the following questions:
· Where can I write my goals so that I can see them often?
· Should I make a vision board to represent my goals (virtually or on paper)?
· What can I do to remind myself to review my goals (set calendar reminders)?
2. Use Your Password
I’m gonna use a password to change my life. - Mauricio Estrella
Since we want to keep our goals constantly on our mind, we can use our computer and phone passwords to help us. One of the most powerful examples of keeping a goal in sight was written about by Mauricio Estrella, Associate Creative Director, EF Education First in a Huffington Post blog entitled How a Password Changed My Life.
He used the need to change his password every 30 days and to use that password several times a day to access his computer. He began to use his goals to create the passwords and those constant reminders helped him meet his goals- such as forgiving his ex-wife, quitting smoking, going on a trip to Thailand and getting a cat. It’s a great, short read. Check it out here.
Think about how you could use your passwords in the same way. For instance, if you are committed to working out 3 times a week, you could use 12in2022mogoal! (workout 12 times a month in 2022) or your code to get into your phone could be 122022.
Ask yourself the following questions:
· Where do I need to type a password in regularly?
· How can I create a password that helps me remember the goal I’m trying to achieve?
3. Tell People
This is controversial advice. Some people argue that telling people about your goal helps keep you accountable. Others believe that keeping it to yourself increases your chance of success. I personally find it helpful to tell someone about a goal I am trying to achieve. This is especially true if the person I share with is someone I respect and who will give me feedback and encouragement.
Each person has to decide for themselves what is better for them. Here are two articles to read to help you consider what might work better for you.
Here is an article for sharing your goals here.
Here is an article against sharing your goals here.
Join Me for Goal Setting December
Once you complete these steps, you are one step closer to completing Goal Minded December! Use this week’s complimentary Success Worksheet (here) to work through this week’s Actionable Success Steps.
And follow along for weekly blogs, reels, and downloadable worksheets to get you ready a new year of goal success.
Practice * Actionable Success Steps
Use these Actionable Success Steps and our complimentary Success Worksheet (here) to participate in Goal Minded December!
(1) Determine which goals you want to focus on for this exercise.
(2) Consider how you want to describe the goal when you write it down.
(3) Determine where you are going to post the goal so you’ll see it often.
(4) Decide if you can use a password or passcode to help you.
(5) Create a passcode that is secure and reminds you of your goal.
(6) Read the two articles and decide if you want to share information about your goals with others.
Learn More
The Growth Group Academy currently provides instruction to strengthen your success skills. Check out our website (here) and sign up for our emails to be the first to learn about more Goal Setting December activities!