New Year: Time to set your goals
We are at the start of a New Year.
It is a great time to think forward and decide what goals you want to set yourself.
For many people it is a daunting process, so here are four steps to make it really easy, extracted from The Yes/No Book.
If you haven’t thought very much about your goals before, then getting to an answer is not an instant process. You need to let your thoughts ferment, until they start to form clear ideas about what you want.
There are different ways to do this. You could combine various of these techniques:
Whichever of these techniques you use or combine; continue revisiting your goals from time-to-time, until you feel that you have some real understanding of what you want. Now it is time to write them down.
Take a look at each goal that you have written down. For each one, if you can, put a measure against it. What would be a good figure to aim for? You might have a salary goal, expressed in pounds per year. Or maybe you have a lifestyle goal and you want to be able to take five weeks of foreign holidays per year. Perhaps your goal is a beautiful home – on a scale of 1 (a hovel) to 100 (a palace), where does it sit? Maybe at 60?
When you have done that, review each figure and put a second figure next to it. What would be an outrageously impressive level to aim for? Double the salary, 12 weeks’ holiday, a level 80 home. These are possible, but only with the greatest level of effort and performance from you.
So put a third figure, somewhere between the other two. Which would be a great goal to set yourself? That’s the one to go for.
Write your goals out in full now, and write each one as an IOU.
IOU
Inspirational – Outrageous – Uncomfortable
Inspirational
Make sure that each goal really grabs you by the gut and makes you want it like crazy.
Outrageous
Set your goals to an outrageous level that will give you enormous satisfaction when you achieve them.
Uncomfortable
Choose goals that will take you out of your comfort zone when you tackle the things that you will have to do to achieve them. If it is easy to achieve, how inspiring will it be?
Don't waste large chunks of this year. Learn more about practical time management techniques that make a difference.
"Thank you for giving me back time in my life." - Ian Walker
The only thing you owe yourself in life is to live the best possible life that you can – to live the life you choose. Now write yourself that IOU. Summarise each IOU goal and write them all on one or more blank postcards. Carry these with you wherever you go. This IOU card will constantly inspire you by reminding you what to say YES to, and when to say NO.
You can find a template for your IOU cards at www.theyesnobook.com.
It’s now time to surround each goal with the accessories that it needs to make it realistic and achievable.
When it arrives, put it safely in a drawer, ready for you to open on the date on the envelope.
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