Make 2022 Your Best Year Ever with Personal and Professional Goals

We are now into the 2nd month of 2022.?Did you make any "New Year's Resolutions"??Have you broken them already??If so, you are in the company of many.?In fact, research suggests that if you don't keep a resolution (or start using a new habit) for 21 straight days, chances are you won't make the change at all!?I am not a big proponent of making New Year's resolutions, but I am resolute about setting Year Beginning Goals, both professional and personal.?And what better time than now, to do it?

Why Do We Set Goals??

To the best of our current scientific knowledge, human beings are the only creatures that?have sufficient foresight to think about the future. Although we attribute emotions to our dogs and cats, we alone have the ability to build mental pictures about possible futures.??Also, research on what contributes the most to?happiness?is our ability to make and acknowledge progress on?goals that matter - goals that will make a difference in our own lives and the lives of others. So, the distinguishing feature of those who?lead their lives and don't just?live?their lives is that they think about the future-where they are going and how they will get there.

What Types of Goals Should You Set for Yourself?

You are what you think?so you need to think, talk and act only on the goals you want to achieve-not the things you don't want, e.g. "I don't want to be this weight next year"; "I don't want to be in this same job next year", etc.?It is also important that you set goals for various aspects of your life.?Those of us who work, are used to setting corporate, team and individual work goals.?But how many of you set goals for other elements of your life??One of the reasons people complain about their lack of "work/life balance" is because they don't commit to working on goals in other aspects of their lives, so when setting your 2022 Goals consider setting goals in these areas:

• Career Goals
• Financial Goals
• Family Goals
• Health and Fitness Goals
• Travel and Leisure Goals
• Social and Community Goals
• Spiritual Goals

You Must Write Down Your Goals

"Whatever you can dream you can do."?

Walt Disney famously declared: "Whatever you can dream you can do."?However, neurological research suggests that if you are going to give yourself the best chance of achieving your goals you need to?write them down.?Apparently, when you write down your goals you are sending a message to that part of your brain called the reticular cortex which triggers your?Reticular Activating System.?This RAS unconsciously alerts you to information, people and opportunities in your environment that can help you achieve your goal.?

How?you write your goals is also influential.?Write them as if you have achieved them "I weigh x pounds" or "I earn $x dollars per year" or "I am now a District Manager" or "I live in a 4-bedroom home on the intercoastal waterway".??Your brain does not recognize that you are just starting your weight loss program, so stating the Goal as having been achieved is a much stronger affirmation of achievement.?

Another tip:?Consider writing your goals down every day in priority order, without referring to previous notes, for 30 days.?Then review these lists and notice what gets changed, i.e., dropped, added, shifted in priority order. Proponents of this technique report that using?this?"magical method" will enable you to achieve your goals at an?unbelievable pace!

Beyond writing down your goals, when you share them with others and review them consistently these messages to your brain are exponentially strengthened.?In fact, one colleague I know writes her Goals on a large index card that she reviews every few days and I have heard her frequently comment to friends and colleagues about the specific goals she is currently working on.?

Develop an Action Plan

?Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance

Beyond setting Goals, you need to set SMART Objectives.?For each Goal, you need to:?

• Set?Specific Objectives?that will enable you to achieve your ultimate Goal.?These are results that you need to accomplish on a monthly or quarterly basis to make progress towards your Goal.
• Establish specific?Metrics?for measuring your progress, e.g., numbers, deadlines, etc.?It should be obvious to you and other observers that you either have or have not achieved your Objectives.
• Make your Goals?Action-Oriented.?There needs to be specific tasks/activities that will enable you to achieve your Objectives and your Goals.?
• Establish Goals that are a 'stretch' but are also?realistic?so that you don't get discouraged or frustrated as you start your goal setting journey.
• Set?Timelines?that keep you focused on making progress towards your Goal, no matter how small the steps.?

?Measure and Celebrate Progress, Success and Failure

Research shows that those who make a commitment to goal achievement are not only more successful, but also are "happier".?Apparently when you successfully complete a task or goal the brain releases a "wonder drug" called endorphins that make you feel happy and peaceful.?The larger the accomplishment, the greater the "endorphin rush".

Sometimes great breakthroughs come about when you put yourself through a "persistence test" which requires you to hold onto your vision, even in the face of possible failure and disappointment.?Ross Perot once said: "Most people quit on the one-yard line with one-minute to go, one foot away from the winning touchdown."?If you have succeeded despite obstacles and hurdles it is even more important that you not only celebrate success, but you identify what is your "Success Pattern".?Ask yourself "What are the critical steps you took to maintain your positive progress?"

However, if you find that you don't have the energy to persist in the face of obstacles ask yourself: "Is this still an important goal for me right now?"

Finally, don't try to achieve your Goals by yourself.?You may need to find a coach, a mentor and maybe just a "buddy" who you can just meet for coffee and talk about your progress.

BEST OF LUCK FOR YOUR BEST YEAR YET!!

#lyndaonleadership #leadership #goalsetting #goals

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