Whether they are personal or career or a combination thereof, spending an afternoon working on your 2018 goals can be a fun, enlightening and rewarding experience. Those who set realistic goals and have the tools do it properly are almost always successful at achieving them. You may be thinking “I don’t know where to start” or “I don’t have time” or perhaps you experienced less than favourable results in the past. Whether you are new to goal setting or a seasoned Pro, we have some fabulous tips and tricks to help you set and achieve your Goals for 2018.

Step 1: Be Specific

Set specific worth-while goals, ones that really mean something to you. Ones that motivate you. Plant your feet firmly on the ground and ensure the goal is within your reach. A sure-fire way to fail is to set unattainable goals that are considerably out of reach and then of course, we give up and never end up reaching them. For example: if your goal is to make more money in 2018 then make this figure one in which you can realistically achieve in the career you are in. Don’t just throw out a random number. When starting the goal setting process, set specific realistic goals that you can successfully achieve.

Step 2: Write it down

Yes, this really does work! Put your pen to paper and use a journal to track your progress. For even better motivation you may opt to use visual effects like a poster board. By using magazine and/or personal pictures, some glue and your artistry skills you can create an inspiring display to remind yourself daily. Pick an area of your home that is highly visible (like the kitchen or laundry room) to hang your Poster board: this will keep you moving forward and on track.

Step 3: Have an action plan

What will you need to do and how are you going to achieve your goal? Creating a roadmap to your success will make it easier to achieve your goals. Ask yourself: What do I need to accomplish my goal (support system, logistics, etc.) and how am I going to do it (finances, family support, schedule changes, transportation, etc.)? Break down these steps into bite-size pieces that you can tackle one day at a time.

Step 4: Set a timeline and regularly evaluate

A goal without a deadline is a goal that you have not fully committed to. The whole purpose behind goal setting is to set a date to reach it by, “a due date” so to speak. To make it easier, break down your “due date” into months first and then weeks. Setting monthly and then weekly deadlines will enable you to track and evaluate your progress. This evaluation is necessary to adjust your timelines or action plan (if needed), to ensure you stay on track with achieving your goals.

Step 5: Reward yourself

Acknowledge your small victories along the way. If you successfully reached your monthly goal, reward yourself! Maybe it’s as simple as putting an encouraging sticker in your journal/poster board or perhaps gifting yourself. Keep the reward small but meaningful to you.