Hello, Colleagues, whenever or wherever you are. Welcome to the Joyful Attorney Podcast. I’m your host, Professional Certified Coach and Practicing Attorney, Laura Kelley. Today, I am going to talk about how to set goals rather than make resolutions.
Quite unbelievably to me, it is December 2021. Intellectually I know time seems to pass more quickly the older we get because each year represents less percentage of our total lifetime - good luck getting around that concept - but it never ceases to amaze me just how quickly time goes by. I still haven’t gotten around to my 2021 Tiny House ownership resolution - not looking too good for it at the moment.
Time to kick it into 2022 and now is the time when a lot of us start thinking about what changes we want to make in the new year. I know that most of us have total COVID fatigue. We are ready to travel, get out, and enjoy our lives. I really hope that the last almost two years of surviving in a global pandemic has given us some perspective of what really matters in life. Aside from rediscovering the simple joys of comfy lounge wear.
Consequently, I know a lot of us are resolving to make changes in 2022. Resolve is a wonderful thing, but unfortunately, resolve alone will not produce lasting changes. There is a reason why most resolutions fizzle out in mid- to late-January.
A resolution is just a declaration. It’s a statement of intent. A resolution is not a plan. Without a comprehensive plan, our resolutions are doomed to fail.
So how do you develop a plan to make your resolution a reality?
First, I suggest you find a compelling reason. Let me tell you that losing 10 pounds is not a compelling reason. Trust me. If you want to make changes to your health and wellness, find your why. Why do you really want it? To extend your life so you have more time with your children or grandchildren? To reverse or prevent Type II diabetes? Find something compelling that is going to allow you to overcome the urge to quit. That urge will come for all of us, and we have to be ready for it.
Second, make sure that your resolution is measurable and has a deadline. “Get healthy” or “travel more” are entirely too nebulous to be compelling resolutions. Instead, find a measurable way to measure progress. Perhaps, the resolution could be “be able to run 5k by June 2022” or “travel to one new country and two new states by October 22.”
Third, you will need to write down every single thing that you need to do to make it happen. Every step. If it’s the 5k goal, perhaps you need a running program, new shoes, a calendar. If it’s the travel goal, perhaps you need to renew your passport, identify the trips, identify the costs, identify the time you have to take them.
Fourth, identify all of the obstacles that stand in your way. Think of everything that can prevent you from achieving your goal. You need to be able to anticipate all of your internal and external excuses. Perhaps, it’s a lack of financial resources, perhaps it’s scheduling conflicts, perhaps you know that your brain likes to tell you that you can’t do hard things. Think of everything that has stopped you in the past, and think of everything you can anticipate will stop you in the future.
Fifth, strategize. Take every single obstacle and create a strategy for how you will overcome it. Make it a spreadsheet. Print it. Keep it handy. You will need it because the obstacles will come. And you will be prepared - ‘If it’s not on Excel, you’ll go through hell!’ or if you are a Mac user, if ‘it’s not on Numbers, then your dreams will slumber’
Finally, put all the steps you need to take and put it on your calendar. Every single action item must go on your calendar. And when something goes on your calendar, you do it.
Now, if you would like to learn how to go deeper with this goal setting work, join me at the end of the year for a very special session - December 28th is the start of a brand new you in ‘22. Just go to the Joyful Attorney.com to book your spot.. We are going to discuss how to make your goals become a reality with strategic planning and thought work.
Until next time. Stay joyful.