Setting Achievable Goals for 2021

Another December is upon us, where celebration and merriment fill the air. It is a time to relax and spend time with loved ones, yet it is also a time to plan for the new year.

December is a good time for planning 2021, setting achievable goals and projecting how the year will be like for ourselves and our businesses.

A high number of youths find goal setting challenging, and everyone sets goals for projects, activity, events, etc.

A goal is an idea of the future or desired result that a person or a group of people envision, plan and commit to achieve.

To achieve one's vision, you must set goals frequently and work to achieve them.

Two goals every youth should write down in 2021 are.

A. Personal goals

B. Business/Career goals.

Below are five steps of how you can set achievable goals for the year 2021:

1. Review year 2020 goals, achievements and setbacks: To set achievable goals for 2021, we must first review the year 2020. Ask these questions, what was my goal for 2020? Which of the goals did I achieve? Which of the goals did I attempt to achieve? And which of the goals did I not succeed?

This will help provide an overview of the year 2020 and also help you discover some over-ambitious goals you set because of others.

2. Revisit your vision statement: Goals are not set in isolation; they should align with your vision (either personal/ business). Your vision determines in no small extent the goals you set. Remember, goals are set to achieve a vision.

3. Write down smart goals: Now that you know your vision, write down goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and have a specific time for accomplishing them.

Writing down your goals in a journal or the cloud helps you to revisit them. Keep your goals as simple (but ambitious) as possible, set goals that will stretch you to develop and think outside the box.

4. Never set goals without deadlines: The 'T' in SMART stands for time-bound, I interpret it as a deadline. To set achievable goals, you must specify when this goals should be achieved. Don't just write; I will get an international scholarship by 2021, instead write by October 2021 I will have gained an international Masters scholarship. This helps your goal to be specific and have a deadline, and your brain will work towards the deadline set.

5. Break your goals into action steps: To have achievable goals for the year 2021, you just don't set goals you divide your goals into action steps. If your goal is to be accomplished in September 2021, write down what you will do daily, weekly or monthly from January to achieve that goal. Action steps help you work daily on your goals. It breaks down that big goal into chunks that are easy to reach and move you closer to your goal. This will help you take actions rather than daydreaming of the goals.

You can achieve any goal set, as long as you are determined. With the steps mentioned above, I can assure you that you will crush your 2021 goals.

Obasanjo Fajemirokun

?2020