We are back from hopefully a restful and enjoyable holiday and 2020 has been getting so much buzz since we are entering a new decade. This year will be special, to say the least, and some have said, bigger, better, more expansive, you name it, I’ve read all the things and I’m sure you have as well.
It’s also the time of year where many of you are considering career moves, along with other life-changing events. Maybe it’s moving to a new city and relocating, starting a family or taking time off altogether to explore the world and travel. It could even be less impactful as the others listed like getting over a fear or learning a new language.Whatever it may look like for you, we all have goals that we’ve set out for ourselves. I say goals as I’m not a fan of resolutions. In fact, according to U.S. News and World Report, more than 80% of people’s resolutions fall to the wayside within the first few weeks of February! Surprised? Probably not.
There are likely a number of reasons for this which I won’t bore you with, however, there’s an approach I invite you to consider as you’re mapping out your year (if you’re still coming up with a few goals for yourself). If you’re all set, then think about this as you’re reviewing your goals.
- Approach your goals from a holistic perspective embodying your WHOLE self (mind, body and heart)
- Write a letter to your future self having accomplished ONE of the goals you’ve set for yourself. I’ll share more details below on how to craft this…
The fact
is, if you’re not committing to small baby steps every single day
towards those important ‘goals’ you’ve set for yourself no matter how big or
small, they will never be realized. The question I would even ask you is, what are
you committed to instead? Even more important, if you’re not considering
your mind, body and heart in those steps you need to take to accomplish
your goal, it’s much more difficult to achieve. Not impossible, but harder.
As an
example, if we took getting healthier this year as one of your goals, you
wouldn’t just say, “I’ll just change my diet” and hope for the best. But if your
commitment embodied your whole self, it would include:
- Your physical body – committing to working out and/or moving your body every day for at least 30 min.
- Your heart – you want to feel good while committing to getting healthier so, you want to DO things and eat foods you enjoy. Think about it, if your hearts not in it and you’re eating foods because you think you have to and not that you actually enjoy AND you’re doing things you think you have to do – you’re probably less inclined to commit!
- Your mind – your mindset in this is HUGE. It’s huge with everything in your life but when it comes to committing to your goals, it’s a game-changer. Being accountable to yourself, committing to yourself, feeding your mind as much as your body by telling yourself kind, loving and supportive thoughts every day is so important.
When you commit to your goals from this holistic perspective, it’s easier to commit to vs. committing just a fraction of yourself. You’re telling yourself you’re all in. This also doesn’t take away from making your goals SMART. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic/Relevant and Timely. I know many of us have heard of SMART goals in the workplace and they’re easily applicable in our personal life.
Take a look at what you’ve set out for yourself and make sure you know what you’re doing when, how and what will be the measure of success. Set yourself up for success without the vagueness of a goal you threw on paper just to say you’ve got a ‘goal’ for the year.
Ok, so the future self letter.
This is
actually a fun exercise. I want you to imagine yourself having accomplished one
of your goals by the end of 2020 or whatever date within this year you set for
yourself. It could even be a goal you’d like to accomplish within 6 months.
Just ONE goal out of the handful you’ve set out for yourself. If you only have one, then I encourage you to DREAM BIGGER! And challenge yourself. Pick one that you would be over the moon ecstatic about achieving.
Here are the questions I’d like you to consider:
What’s
the first thing you would say to your future self about accomplishing this goal
by X date you completed it by?
How would you feel?
What did
you have to do, think, feel in order to achieve it?
What did you do when/if you doubted yourself or nearly gave up on this goal?
How did
you overcome any challenges or adversity on the way to completing this goal?
Who did you need to become in order to accomplish this goal? (think more self-compassionate, more disciplined, etc.)
The point
of this exercise is to envision your future self already having achieved this
goal. You’re setting your mind up for success by predicting how you would
experience achieving this goal mentally, emotionally and physically. It can
also act as a way to help you plan for some of the things you may not have
considered as you plan to work towards your goals.
As you’re getting into your groove for the new year, remember to practice self-compassion and patience. You’re not in a race against anyone else to realize YOUR dreams and goals. These are your plans, your goals, your dreams and the only one who you should be measuring up against is who you were yesterday and who you’re working to be tomorrow while honouring where you are today.
I look forward to the year ahead and wish you continued success for 2020!
What’s one goal you’re most excited about working towards this year?
Let me know in the comments below.
All my love for a kick-ass 2020!
Lisa xo
