Let’s face facts. New Year’s resolutions have become a stand-up comic punch line. It’s almost cliché to “fail” at your resolutions by mid-January! Needless to say, it’s long overdue that we re-examine the concept of effective goal-setting.
Resolution vs. Goal vs. Objective
This is not about getting caught up in semantics. Rather, the issue is language. Effective goal-setting is made easier when you feel clear about how you describe the process.
Generally speaking, a resolution involves the intention to create a major life change. The ensuing goal is a target of what that will look like. Objectives are basically the step-by-step plan needed to reach the goal/resolution.
Resolution
The resolution may sound like this: “I’m getting in better shape this year.” It’s big, it’s vague, but it can swiftly be broken down into specifics. Only you know where your starting point is and what your health history is. Again, only you know what “better shape” means in your head.
Goal
The goal may sound like this: “I will lose 20 pounds by ___ and then run a 5K race by ___.” In other words, it’s far more specific than the resolution. Therefore, you move closer to turning an idea into a reality.
Objective
The objective may sound like this: “Starting tomorrow, I get up at 6am to eat a light breakfast and do a workout.” This is the stuff you have on your whiteboard. Objectives get into the realm of nuts and bolts. Here’s where you do the kind of daily tasks that translate into successful goal achievement.
4 Better Goal-setting Practices for the Year Ahead
1. Make it a Short List
As you’ll see with #3 below, goals tend to evolve. You’ll have plenty of time to add, subtract, and edit your list. For starters, just put ink to paper and catalog your strongest wishes for the year ahead.
2. Write it Down/Review Regularly
Yes, ink was mentioned above. If you still own a pen and paper, this is a wise option. The physical act of writing down your resolutions, goals, and objectives is powerful. Take the opportunity to be phone-free for such an important aspect of your life. In fact, being more phone-free sounds like an excellent goal!
3. Remain WIDE Open to Adaptations
You may notice a theme here. Resolutions are vague. This is a good thing because it leaves room to adapt on the fly. It’s not an issue of losing focus. Instead, it’s a reality-based approach that any successful business would recognize. Factors evolve. Unexpected circumstances arise. This means you must keep your eyes on the prize without losing sight of the many routes available to attain that prize.
4. Create a Strong Self-Care Foundation
The best version of you is the best goal-setting version of you. A solid self-care regimen is a goal or objective in and of itself. However, regardless of your plans, it makes sense to take care of the basics. For example:
- Make sure you get daily exercise and activity
- Put in the work to create regular sleep patterns
- Cultivate and maintain healthy eating habits
- Practice stress management and relaxation techniques
Self-care is a proven foundation for sustainable success!
Goal-setting Guidance
We regularly hire tutors, instructors, and trainers to help us learn skills and thus, achieve goals. Thinking of a therapist as a coach of sorts makes it more likely you’d consider this step. Your routine counseling sessions can become a safe space for planning.
Perhaps something is holding you back in setting goals. Maybe confidence is an issue. If moving in a new and better direction feels daunting, therapy just may be the catalyst for a positive goal-setting shift!
Take the Next Step…
Want to learn more about setting goals and making lasting life changes? For further information, please take a look at my Individual Counseling specialty page. If you’d like help sooner rather than later, please feel free to contact me by phone or email to discuss how we can reach your goals as quickly and effectively as possible.
I look forward to the possibility of working with you as your journey continues.
Phil LeBlanc
