2023: New Year. New Goals. New Strategies

It’s the last working day of the year. 2023 is right around the corner. This time of year is typically optimistic and hopeful. And with this sense of a fresh start and endless possibilities, we dive head-first into New Year goals and promises to self. Making resolutions is easy, the challenge is making them stick. The best strategy to make a resolution a reality is to dream big but keep your resolutions small, to think optimistically but act pragmatically.

Every goal is the sequence of well-orchestrated strategic plan connecting achievable action steps to be accomplished over a period of time. And there we have the crux of the problem. Time can be either friend or foe. It can propel us forward, or it can slip through our fingers like sand. We are indeed masters of our time, free to fritter it away, or strategically make the most of every day. So, as soon as you commit to a goal, the countdown to completion begins. To own your goals, create a time and motivation management system. In the beginning, everything seems possible and thrilling. Sadly, novelty always wears off. Whether it’s a month, three, or six months in, inertia raises its ugly head making it hard to keep on track. This is when you will need to dig deeper into the commitment to remind yourself why you chose to pursue a particular goal in the first place. It’s all about the intention and purpose.

This year, take a new approach: striving rather than arriving. The journey towards the goal matters more than any one outcome. Rather than focusing on the destination (goal-achievement), focus on the process of exploration and discovery (personal growth.) As you launch yourself into the new year, thinking about the things you’d like to achieve in 2023, remember it is a process and not a destination. Resolve to become a better version of yourself through the process of trying and learning new things. And it is the process that counts rather than merely the end result. Whatever the end-goal is, it never defines you, or your self-worth and value. What counts is the commitment to go through the process of “becoming.” It’s a journey of endeavor, failures, endurance, learning, and growing. To realize new possibilities, you need to be ready, willing, and able to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Give yourself the gift of flexibility to explore a series of destinations.

Goals are a great tool to raise the bar on performance, to sharpen skills, and to increase capabilities. Beware of falling into the mind trap of self-shaming. Instead of feeling discouraged about the things not yet accomplished, shift your perspective to think of goals as catalysts for change and growth, for renewal and transformation. Use the fresh start to test assumptions, to stretch your creative muscles, and to learn and grow in some way. Move fluidly, steadily, and with confidence. Keep an open mind, trust what you know, and remember what it is all about. The essence of new endeavors is well-being. Your values will provide the roadmap for the experience as you start working towards a new goal. You don’t necessarily need to do great things, but rather strive to do small things with great joy. Tap into what gives you joy and find a way of doing more of it in the world. Embracing the new means pursuing the things that you care about and achieving what would ultimately bring your life greater meaning and fulfillment.

As you set your 2023 goal:

1. Be open to expand your thinking and mindset to new ideas and possibilities
2. Feel more positive to remain in optimal conditions for thriving
3. Learn to focus on what really matters
4. Be inspired to make good choices and take action
5. Gain perspective and develop perseverance

Use the DARE 4-steps model to turn your goals into reality:

Declare (your goal/what you want to achieve)

Analyze (everything that you have going for you and the things that might get in the way)

Resolve (to think bigger and strategically to keep generating new ideas and solutions)

Explore (choices and come up with a plan and strategies to meet your goal, the original or revised)

Ready to make 2023 your best year yet? What’s Your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)?

My book 52 Weeks: 52 Ideas for Scaling the Mountain of Career Success provides a practical step-by-step guide to create your plan, strategies, and flexible milestones to achieve success as you define it.

May you reach new heights of success in 2023 as you enjoy the journey of self-discovery and mastery!