Goals or Resolutions?

As we start a new year, it’s customary to set new year’s resolutions. I prefer to think about goals and plans rather than resolutions as resolutions tend to be quickly forgotten and rarely achieved.

Goals are things we’d like to achieve, change, try or do better, no matter how big or small. They tend to be longer lasting than resolutions, more realistic and more impactful when achieved. 

What are your goals this year?

Whether it’s working towards a promotion, trying a new career, taking your business to the next level or achieving a better work life balance, it’s good to take some time to really think about your plans to make sure they are what really matters to you. 

As well as thinking about what you’d like to achieve, you may also like to think about how you want to ‘be’ and how you’ll work to develop the skills and qualities needed to achieve your goals.

Once you’ve decided what you’d like to achieve this year, I’d recommend writing it down or telling someone. Because this makes us accountable and far more likely to achieve what we set out to.

Did you know that when we tell someone we are going to do something, we are 65% more likely to do it? And when we create specific accountability plans we are 95% more likely to follow through?

How would you like your life to be?

If you don’t use “goals”, it’s helpful to think about how you’d like your life to be and things you need to work on or change to make this happen. Imagine how proud you’ll feel at the end of the year when you look back on how far you’ve come and all you’ve achieved!

This year I am sharing with you my 12 Steps to Achieving Your Goals. We can all make our goals happen if we follow these simple steps.  

Each month I will provide a blog with practical tips and resources. Throughout the year I’ll also share video and audio messages and set challenges for you. Also look out for events, such as retreats and panel discussions and don’t forget to invite me into your organisation to provide a talk or programme bespoke to your needs.

Can’t wait to get started? Nor can we! Follow us on social media to join the discussion or sign up for our newsletter to receive notification of our blogs direct to your inbox.  Want to be part of a community of people Making their Goals Happen? Join the Happenista Project.

January – Planning. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Planning is crucial to your success even when things don’t go as you would like them to. Whether you are planning your year ahead, a special event, your budget or career, I’ll share my top tip for getting it right.

February – Habits. Habits are behaviours we repeat regularly and that we tend to do subconsciously without thinking. Imagine how powerful making one or a few small changes to your daily habits could be. 

March – Decluttering. We all have a lot of clutter, both around us in our homes and in our minds. This month we’ll focus on ridding ourselves of anything that is distracting or preventing you from achieving your goals. 

April – Abundance. Ever think there just isn’t enough time? (Or money, or love?) Rather than focusing on limits, I’ll show you how to move towards abundant thinking, allowing you to see more, do more and achieve more. 

May – Try Something New. How often do you try a new class at the gym, a new flavour of coffee or read a newspaper with a different viewpoint, just to see what it’s like? Trying new things stops us getting bored but also can open our eyes to new things and give us new perspectives. 

June – Reflection. How often do you stop to reflect on how a meeting, project or conversation with a loved one went? What went well, what could have been better and what could you try next time? We’re all so busy we rarely take the time to stop and learn from our experience and use this to move forward. I’ll share some tips to help you fit this into your busy life. 

July – Self Love. Are you kind to yourself? Do you tend to remember the positive things people say to you or to dwell more on the negatives? Most of us could all do with being a bit kinder to ourselves. I’ll share my tips for fitting this into your schedule and why it’s so important. 

August – Creativity. Creativity isn’t about painting a masterpiece or creating a beautiful sketch. It’s the ability to think creatively, to see things from a new perspective, to question the status quo and ask if there’s a better way to do things. This month I’ll share some ideas to get you thinking creatively. 

September – Mindset. Your mindset has a huge influence on your life, whether flexible or fixed, open-minded or rigid. This month I’ll share my thoughts on mindset, how you can work to change yours and how powerful this change can be. 

October – Accountability Hack – Name Your Number. Numbers aren’t everyone’s passion, they’ve never been mine. I used to put off looking at the finances behind my business. Maybe you’re the same? But by getting to understand the finances and numbers, you’ll be armed with the knowledge to do so much more in your role or business. I’ll share my experiences and practical tips to help you learn to love the bottom line. 

November – Choices. We make so many choices every day. Whether to be happy or sad, respectful and kind towards others, whether to give or take, whether to see a set back as a roadblock or a challenge to overcome. This month, I’ll focus on ways of thinking and how you can work on making the best choices for you. 

December – Looking Back to Move Forward. Looking back on the past and learning from our experiences can help us move forward and avoid the same mistakes, and learn what works, so that we can do more of it.