Mental Health

How to Set Realistic and Achievable Goals This New Year's Day

By Dynne C. | Update Date: Dec 28, 2023 02:26 AM EST

As the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, many folks worldwide commit to fresh starts and resolutions. Yet, turning these aspirations into reality often feels daunting. However, setting realistic and achievable goals for the New Year does not have to be overwhelming. With proper management, anyone can set themselves up for success.

Set your goals

The first step to creating achievable goals is to set realistic ones. It is important to consider what is truly important and feasible. Instead of setting vague objectives like "getting fit" or "saving money," setting specific goals like exercising three times a week or saving a particular amount from each paycheck can better align with abilities and circumstances.

Create a detailed plan

A detailed plan is a roadmap to achieving goals. To make it work, daily tasks should be integrated into this plan. Larger goals can be broken down into manageable daily actions. 

For instance, if the aim is to learn a new skill, allocating time each day for practice or learning sessions can be helpful. If the goal revolves around health, planning meals and workouts for the week and slotting them into daily routines can make it more achievable. Utilizing calendars or planners to allocate specific time slots for these activities can be helpful as well since by making them a part of the daily routine, they become non-negotiable, just like any other essential task.

Consistency is key. Even small daily actions add up over time, propelling progress toward the set goals. Adjustments might be necessary along the way, but having a daily plan keeps aspirations at the forefront and ensures consistent effort toward their achievement.

Evaluate periodically

Regularly evaluating progress is as crucial as the first two steps. Weekly or monthly check-ins can be done to see if things are on track or if adjustments are needed. While evaluating, it is essential to be flexible in modifying the plan if necessary, as adapting to changes is part of the process. Additionally, celebrating small victories along the way can keep motivation high.

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