It’s hard to believe it’s only been a month since the Times Square Ball dropped and welcomed 2022. Were you one of those determined people on New Year’s Eve who proclaimed “This year …” with the best of intentions? Or did that determination fade around the first Wednesday of the year*?
Whether or not you made a resolution, there’s still an opportunity to approach the New Year from a different perspective.
REFLECT on what you accomplished last year.
What went well? What didn’t? This quick exercise looks at where you’ve obtained new skills for success and where there’s room for improvement. It also places you in an excellent position to set realistic goals for the year ahead by reminding yourself of what you’re capable of accomplishing.
Don’t be tempted to sell yourself short. Be honest about the things you achieved over the past twelve months. Regardless of their impact, celebrating our victories provides the fuel we need to keep striving for more and reflects pride in the work we do.
When looking back at your projects, measure the results from where your effort truly began to see the full scope of your accomplishments. Then, step back and recognize what you do makes a difference, either for yourself, your organization, or your social circle.
Don’t fall into comparing yourself with anyone else. Doing so only reinforces negative thought patterns and slows us down. Instead, keep your focus on your unique journey and where it can take you next.
SELECT a couple of meaningful goals.
Research indicates you’re more likely to succeed if you keep your list of New Year’s goals small. Focus on goals with the most impact, establish a clear plan of action to achieve them, and prepare for any setbacks or disruptions along the way.
Start by looking at what you actually want to get done this year. Brainstorm everything – every detail that matters to you. And don’t be afraid to put it all down on paper. Putting it into writing makes your commitment to it stronger.
Try using the SMART framework (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) to break your larger goals into smaller “stepping stones” that are easy to obtain but help you work towards your resolution. Keeping this in mind will help you avoid setting your monthly goals beyond your capabilities.
Always think of everything that might stand in your way and decide what you can do about each obstacle. If you design a plan, you’ll reduce the influence of each problem and increase the chances that you will be successful. Also, keep in mind the full benefits of achieving your goal to stay motivated to persevere through those obstacles.
Though there may be many steps to take, it is necessary to know what order you need to achieve them. If possible, alternate between steps that are easy to reach and those that will take longer. This way, you don’t go through long periods of time without completing part of your plan. It will help you feel more successful if you complete parts of the plan often.
Most importantly, when setting your resolutions, avoid negativity. If you can’t muster up a positive attitude about the coming year, at least approach it with an open mind. Negativity will only achieve negative results.
REMOVE the excess.
Perhaps your schedule is too busy to even consider adding an item to your to-do list. Chances are, you may find discover unexpected free time when the excess of nonessential tasks gets removed from your schedule. Consider creating a “Stop Doing List” and find more time for positive changes.
With the tasks that are left, look at your list and ask yourself, “If I do just one thing today, what should it be?” Move this to the top of the list, then repeat for the second task. Keep doing this, and eventually, you’ll end up with a list of things you have to do in order of importance.
Ideally, you should have three to five tasks on your daily to-do list. You have to break the habit of thinking that you need to do everything. Be ruthless in throwing out tasks that aren’t essential right now. Which tasks will most directly or indirectly impact your goals? These are your high-impact tasks and should be your highest priority.
Having the confidence to remove distractions from your day will allow you to pursue your resolutions with more energy and focus. Never feel that you have to put off working towards your personal goals until tomorrow. If you do this too often, your “tomorrow” may never come. Set your goal and start putting your plan into action!
As you go through your Reflect, Select and Remove exercises, and put your focus on what is most important to you this year, you can count on WZ as a partner and valuable resource to accomplish your goals.
- Visit Truth be Told for reviews, tips, and updates relevant to the interview professional.
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- Connect with WZ on YouTube for the latest investigative tools and information.
We can’t wait to see the great things you achieve this year.
*If your New Year’s Resolution has already come and gone, don’t worry! Wong Fu’s “Two Weeks Later: Resolution Fails” short is a reminder you’re not alone!
