It’s that time of the year again, when we start reflecting on the year that has past, and start planning for the year ahead.  Start taking stock of our lives and where we would like to see ourselves at the end of 2016?

It is at about this time that most of us fall into the habit of making new year’s resolutions, which is defined as a firm decision to do or not do something.

I find it very interesting to hear from family and friends about their new year’s resolution styles and preferences.  Personally I don’t make any.  I find making them is a set up for failure.  Statistics show that very few new year’s resolutions are ever kept, and leave us feeling guilt ridden or with no sense of accomplishment.  Resolutions generally require us to make a change, something that humans are not that great at.

Now don’t get me wrong, I do have some things that I would like to achieve in 2016, however I use a different approach.  I prefer to call it goal setting, and with that in mind I move forward into drawing up my list. (I am getting into the habbit of list making, since I want to start  living intentionally ) The definition of a goal, is the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.

I believe in goal setting for the following reasons:

1. I think the word alone takes the pressure of having to “must do” this and “must do” that, and with less pressure comes clearer thinking.
2. By setting goals I like to use the SMART acronym for goal setting, it gives me a guideline on where to start and what to do. I know it sounds clichéd, but it seems to be working for me and keeping me on track. (SMART = Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely) I will cover this more in-depth on another blog post.
3. I believe that goals can be reviewed as the year passes and be modified or changed if need be. Goals are flexible.
4. By having goals we are conditioning ourselves into a different mindset and are more likely to achieve them.
5. Goals are measurable over time.

Another friend of mine, mentioned to me that she keeps a dream book.  Here she lists things that she would like to achieve, not specifically within the next year, but within her life time.  Some are short term dreams and other long term.  She lists them according to the different roles that she fulfils e.g. Mom, Wife, career etc. She then goes on to find pictures of the dreams that she would like to achieve, giving it a visual effect.  She adds dreams as they come and checks off the ones that she has already accomplished. (I will also give a more in-depth account of a dream book on another post).

Like I always say, different strokes for different folks, whether you decide to draw up resolutions, set goals or create a dream book, find out what works for you, and set out to achieve them.

I wish you all a super successful 2016.

Please feel free to share any new year’s resolution tips with us that work for you, and don’t forget to check back to see what I have been up to, I will be sharing more on goal setting and dream booking.

I also believe that sharing is caring, so please feel to like and share on Facebook and twitter.

XOXO

Liv