An Alternative to New Year's Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions

The new year is here and we are all enthralled in making our New Year's resolutions. Each year we resolve to:

 
• Lose Weight
• Quit Smoking
• Learn Something New
• Eat Healthier and Diet
• Get Out of Debt and Save Money
• Spend More Time with Family
• Travel to New Places
• Be Less Stressed
• Volunteer
• Drink Less

Those resolutions are slowly abandoned because we revert to the old methods of trying to achieve our goals rather than taking a new approach. As an expert in the field, I have been working with individuals from all walks of life who have been able to transform their lives and achieve their goals. Here's a simple, step-by-step goal setting tool that can be applied to any individual or business.

STRATEGIC GOAL SETTING

Anyone who has ever attempted to set goals knows how difficult it could be to set realistic goals and to be able to attain them. In order to do so, it is very important to have a fool-proof strategy. K.I.S.S. is a strategy that makes setting and attaining goals very easy. The acronym K.I.S.S. stands for “Keep It Simple Silly” and it embodies a strategy that is very simplistic in nature but is extremely powerful. This strategy is tried and true and it can be best conceptualized as involving several keys and goal setting secrets. It is a solution-focused method and as such it allows the user to attain goals in a shorter period of time than other methods. The keys to using this method are as follows:

❶ Set goals that you can visualize. This is the most important step in goal setting and attainment. To be able to fulfill a goal, it is important for you to have a clear picture of your goal and all that it encompasses. You should have a clear conceptualization of where you are at the current time, where you would like to be at a predetermined time in the future and the direction you need to travel in order to get to your goal. When you can clearly visualize that, then you will be able to achieve your goal. The visualization of your goal makes that goal more believable and thus more achievable. The key here is to never underestimate the power of visualization. It may be very helpful for you to actually get pictures that represent your goal. Use those pictures to create a goals board. A goals board is a collage of pictures that represent your goals and midway milestones. It is best to place your goals board in a location where you are likely to see it frequently. In so doing, you have a constant reminder of the goals you are working towards. This may seem silly but it really works.

❷ Create an action plan. Action plans are at the heart of goal setting and attainment. In order to achieve a goal, you must be able to visualize that goal and create a roadmap to achieving that goal. Your action plan is that roadmap. It outlines all of the necessary steps that must be taken in order to attain a goal. It also outlines the obstacles you may face on your way to realizing your goal(s).

❸ Micromanaging your goal-related tasks. In order to achieve your goals, it is important to work towards that goal on a daily basis. It is essential to focus on the tasks that need to be done in order to achieve your goal in a timely manner. In this vein, it is imperative that you create a timeline and adhere to that timeline. The timeline should include milestones since achieving your milestones serve as a motivational tool. Milestones also track your progress towards your goals and they serve as encouragement as you achieve your goals. They are reminders of how much you have achieved on your way to realizing your goals. As you achieve more milestones, goal-tracking enables you to realize that you came too far to turn back.

❹ Keep track of your time. Time tracking is another important part of achieving goals. It is important for you to manage your time wisely. Wise time management enables you to maximize your time use. In order to achieve your goals, it is important to get the vital things done first. One of the keys to goal achievement is the ability to work wisely. Working wisely allows one to work less and achieve more. One take-away from the time tracking step is the fact that time tracking is an important step in wise goal achievement—it is one that must not be taken lightly.

❺ Journaling. A goals journal is an integral part of setting realistic goals and attaining them. The journal serves multiple purposes. One of the most fundamental purposes for keeping a goals journal is to examine your feelings about your goals and to record your progress towards attaining those goals. It allows you to focus on your goals, to enjoy the small steps towards attaining them and serves as a motivational force for goal achievement. It can also serve as a means of self-discovery while working towards an achievable goal.

❻ Reviewing your progress. It is important to review your progress on a regular basis as it creates a framework for viewing your achievement as you work towards a realistic goal. Additionally, it allows you to make note of the completed task and serves as encouragement on your way to goal attainment. Reviewing your progress allows you to stay positive, proactive. focused and motivated.

❼ Establishing positive habits. Habits are fundamental to goal establishment. They allow us to stay on track and lead to the development of a systematic approach to achievement. One of the essential habits that needs to be established is a daily routine. Daily routines enable us to keep on task and to achieve our goals in a timely manner. In establishing positive habits, you can view your thoughts and behaviors and make the necessary modifications. The establishment of positive habits serves as a means of fast tracking your goal achievement.

DISCLAIMER

K.I.S.S. Goal Setting provides a strategic method for defining and achieving your goals. It presents specialized self help content that is solely the opinion of the author and garnered from practice. It should not be considered as a form of therapy, advice or treatment of any kind. It is meant to assist in modifying the way in which business goals are viewed. For individualized vision definition, the author recommends one-on-one business coaching.

The author does not assume any responsibility or liability and attests that the information contained in manual is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties [either expressed or implied].

The purchaser or reader of this self help publication assumes responsibility for the use of any of the techniques contained within this booklet as well as the information presented.