SMART GOAL SETTING AND MAKING SOME “UN-RESOLUTIONS”
“The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.” ― Josiyah Martin
A new year, a new decade, it’s truly a new beginning Mr. Martin!
Each new year offers an exciting opportunity for a fresh start and new beginnings, which is probably why we all look forward to New Year’s Eve so much.
BUT, then comes January 1st and you’re a little hung over and can’t quite remember exactly what resolutions you made the night before!
Sounds like it’s time for some looking back into 2019 and self-reflection.
To be quickly followed by looking to see what the future might have in store for you. I’ll give you some free printable tools to do just that a bit later.
WHY I’M MAKING UN-RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR
I’m one of “those people” that have a library filled with educational and self-help books. It’s an addiction, plain and simple. I love to “deep dive” into subjects that interest me like soap-making, blogging, flower arranging, etc. Hence my extensive and cumbersome library of, what I like to call “resource materials”! (H.H. doesn’t quite see it that way.)
When looking to the new year, we can feel the bright, shiny possibilities luring us with tempting allurement. Maybe even feel like we can do anything we have a mind to. But I find to do this, takes a little clearing of the decks, both mentally and emotionally first. This got me thinking…
As I was contemplating my resolutions for 2020, a profound thought struck me. I always start them with “I will (fill in the blank)”. Why? It seems so arbitrary, yet we do tend to think in the positive. It seems like an awful lot of pressure, doesn’t it? Maybe that’s why many of those resolutions are a distant memory by Valentine’s Day.
My new idea was to “think in the negative” and see where that takes me. Why not start my un-resolutions with “I wont”, or even “I will not allow…” instead? These statements even feel more powerful rolling off my tongue.
A new year, a new feeling of empowerment, what more could I want? To figure out what my un-resolutions were, exactly. Not quite as easy.
A FIRST DRAFT OF MY UN-RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR
- I will not allow myself to be held back by the dreaded monster, FEAR
- I won’t be afraid to speak my mind when participating in a group effort
- I will not allow others to make me feel bad about myself. I will take that power away from them.
- I will no longer let inner doubts plague my thoughts – they will be shut out by positive thinking
- I will not waste a single day of 2020 worrying about the “what if’s” in my life
- I won’t be tempted to find fault with myself or others when things go badly
I’m feeling pretty good about my un-resolutions for the new year. I’ll probably whittle them down to 3 when I’m done, as I think more than that is counter-productive.
WILL YOU BE MAKING SOME UN-RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR?
The Fab Life Facebook Group is the perfect place to share your New Year’s resolutions or un-resolutions. We’d love to hear what you’ve decided to commit to for the next 365 days… do you think you’ll make it?
GOING BEYOND SETTING S.M.A.R.T. GOALS
Many people have touted them, and I have used SMART goal setting in the past. I like SMART goals, don’t get me wrong, but I think they can be improved upon.
I’ve been reading a book that has inspired me to take the SMART goal setting philosophy, and expand upon it. In her book, Do It Scared, Ruth Soukup says:
“Those big goals, the ones we have to stretch and push and fight for – are what empower us to create a life we love, not just one we tolerate. So do it. Dare to think big.”
I have to say that I’ve really bought into this whole “dare to think big” concept. I love the idea of making a “stretch 
goal” that scares me silly and keeps me motivated all year long.
GOAL DEFINING WORKSHEET PDF
Taking the results from my “Goal Defining Worksheet” and kicking my unbridled imagination into high gear, I’m thinking BIG. We’ll see where that takes me!
I’ve included my FREE 2-PAGE GOAL DEFINING WORKSHEET in the IFAFL Members Resource Library for you to print out. Use it to get started with your goal-setting process.
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR SETTING S.M.A.R.T. GOALS
Now, having just told you that I’m modifying my use of the SMART Goal Setting method, you still need these:
SPECIFIC –
A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. To set a specific goal you must answer the six “W” questions: WHO/WHAT/WHERE/WHEN/WHICH/WHY
Specific means reasons, purpose or benefits of accomplishing the goal.
EXAMPLE: A general goal would be, “I want to lose some weight.” A specific goal would be, “I want to lose 10 pounds in 2 months and I will eat properly and exercise at least 3 days a week to accomplish my goal.”
MEASURABLE –
- Establish criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set.
- Describe how each goal will be measured (numeric or descriptive).
- When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the exhilaration of achievement. That spurs you on to continue the effort required to reach your goal.
- How will I know when the result has been achieved?
- How will I verify the achievement/performance of this goal?
ATTAINABLE –
When you identify a goal, write it out and make a plan, you are making an attainable goal. You will see opportunities arise that will help you in accomplishing this goal. Keep a positive attitude and you will develop traits that will give you the strength to see it through.
REALISTIC –
To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. A goal can be daring and still be realistic for you. Only you can decide just how to set the bar. Make sure the goal you have set is something you are willing and capable of doing. When you set a lofty goal and challenge yourself, you will find a much richer reward upon completion.
TIMELY –
- You must create a sense of urgency
- Knowing you have to accomplish a task at a certain time makes you accountable.
- Define exactly what time lines are necessary to complete the goal on schedule.
- What smaller tasks make up a larger project within your goal?
- Schedule the larger projects first, then schedule the tasks necessary to complete the project.
SMART GOAL SETTING WORKSHEET PDF
Since I’m working on defining and setting my modified SMART goals, I decided I’d need a worksheet for that too! It will really help you dig down and get your goal setting finished so you can hit the ground running in 2020!
My SMART Goal Setting Worksheet is located in the IFAFL Members Resource Library for my wonderful subscribers!
I bet you’ve been thinking about setting some new goals for this new year and new decade. Now you have no reason no to get started “thinking big” and “daring to do it scared”!
WHY NOT KICK OFF THE NEW DECADE WITH A FABULOUS NEW GOAL?
I hope I’ve inspired you to start thinking about what kind of goals you might want to set. Not just for 2020, but for the entire new decade that is stretching out before us. It’s just waiting for us to fulfill our potential and our destinies. Let’s rise to the challenge, shall we?
I read a great article on goal setting last week and wanted to share it with you. I hope you find it as enlightening as I did. Here’s the link to the article 4 Tips for Setting Powerful Goals by Jim Rohn for Success Magazine.
A PARTING THOUGHT FOR MY IFAFL COMMUNITY – Forgiveness For All
Let’s give ourselves permission to forgive in 2020. Forgive ourselves, forgive those who’ve done us harm, and let go of the negative energy needed to sustain those emotions. Do it as a gift to yourself. Do it as a gift to your friends and family. Your 2020 will be much lighter for it!
WHEN YOU FINISH YOUR SMART GOAL SETTING WORKSHEETS, HOW ABOUT SHARING WITH US AT THE FAB LIFE FACEBOOK GROUP? WE’D LOVE TO SEE JUST HOW “DARING” YOUR GOALS GOT!
WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2020!
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Come join the gang in our Facebook group and get in on the gabfest at, The Fab Life, where we show off our triumphs and share our pursuit of “the good life” with each other all week long.
