It’s the time of year when you see “new year, new me” all over the place. The thought of a new year can be motivating, inspiring, and exciting, but for some it can also lead to anxiety, depression, and feelings of being overwhelmed. When looking ahead, whether it’s a new year, a new week, or a new day, ask yourself “what is my intention?”. When you set a goal with intention it will better serve you.
Setting an intentional goal is more than just making a statement, it’s an art. Without a plan to measure success or a method of accountability it is easy to feel overwhelmed or defeated before even knowing where to start.
Specific – Be precise! SMART goals are well defined and express exactly what you are seeking to accomplish. It helps to write down what you want to do using action words, for example, instead of saying “I want to save more money”, say “I want to be more intentional with my spending”.
Measurable – It’s important to have measurable goals, so that you can track your progress and stay motivated. This helps you to stay focused, and builds the excitement of getting closer to achieving your goal.
Achievable – There is nothing more disheartening than missing a goal. Your goal also needs to be realistic and attainable to be successful. In other words, it should stretch your abilities but still remain possible.
Relevant – What is your why? Your goal should be relevant to your intention and reflect your core values. You want goals that can give you impactful results, so focus your attention on what matters most.
Time-Bound – When do you need your goal to be completed? Establishing a realistic timeframe for achieving your goal locks in a deadline and keeps you motivated and focused on accomplishing your goals.
Remember, goals can look different to everyone and even something that seems small can serve you in a big way. For example, prioritizing rest can lead to better productivity, prioritizing mental health can have a positive impact in your everyday life, learning to ask for help is empowering and insightful, and last but not least, allow yourself grace.
Cheers to celebrating YOU in 2022!
