As we enter the second month of 2023, many people who set New Year’s resolutions in January are hanging their head, realizing they have already abandoned some or all of their goals. Failing to follow through with New Year’s resolutions is not a sign of weakness or personal shortcomings. Often, it’s simply due to setting goals that are too vague, lofty, or poorly thought out. If you are looking to set better goals in 2023, here are a few things you should consider.
Set Better Goals in 2023 – Realize It’s Not Too Late
While most people consider late December or early January to be the only time of year one can make resolutions, this simply isn’t true. Goal setting can occur 365 days a year. If you didn’t set any goals last month, or have already let yours slip, you can re-do the process right now. As a somewhat OCD individual, I always prefer to set my schedule to a specific day, week, or month. I even like to start tasks right on the hour – don’t ask me why, I don’t know. Breaking free of a pattern of rigid goal-setting schedules is difficult, but will allow you to redefine your objectives often. Reading this article in June? Don’t worry, you can set goals today.
Define What Goals Are Relevant Right Now
In a previous article on SMART goal setting, I explained that the R in the SMART acronym stands for relevant. As you look forward into 2023, think about your priorities for the year. What would you like to accomplish by the time you send your next Christmas card? By your first beach day of the year? Did you just get a new promotion at work and now need to get started on a specific project? Create goals surrounding the tasks and objectives that are most applicable to you right now. For many first-time goal setters, a giant list of goals is overwhelming. If you have to narrow down your list, choose those goals that have the highest priority.
Utilize a Goal-Setting Guide
While there is a vast wealth of information on goal setting available online, you’ll find it scattered across a hundred websites. Most people don’t have the time to sift through a dozen articles to create an organized, thoughtful list of goals. A goal setting system like Next Level Goal Setting makes the process much simpler. By providing an example of a high-impact, organized goal sheet, you can see how powerful goals are made. You can follow along with the step-by-step breakdown of each section and even use the included Word template to format your goals into a picture-perfect sheet you’ll want to hang on your wall. For busy students, business owners, or creatives like myself, having someone with experience walk me through a skill I don’t know is a lifesaver.
Set Better Goals in 2023 – Don’t Be Afraid to Fail
One of the biggest barriers to goal-setting is the fear of failure. Some may not create goals simply because they are scared they won’t follow through. Don’t let this fear hold you back! Failure is essential to success. The act of creating goals in and of itself enhances motivation. Even if you fall behind, the fact that you have visualized your goals is empowering. Putting them down on paper (or digitally) can help you to will them into existence. You are always better off for having put thought into goal-setting and fallen short than having not set goals at all.
