How did you start this New Year?
Are you one of those who wrote down goals and plans for 2021? It’s OK if you did.
- I did so too. Now the real question is; are we going to stick to them?
- How far will we get?
I drafted my list with a contingency plan in case life throws a curveball at me. Well, I think I might be ready, but no. I am often not ready. There is only so much we can be prepared for. When life happens, we are usually not ready. Nonetheless, I live by a mantra: when life gives me lemons, I make lemonade.
Don’t we all want a better life? I do! I am sure you do too. So, how do we go about it?
Is it by planning, executing, celebrating, learning and planning again? I like to plan, push and motivate myself to execute the plan. And the cycle repeats itself.
To execute my plans, I tend to do a few things:
- Draft SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) goals.
- Use my electronic calendars (phone and tablet) to detail them.
- Set reminders on due dates.
- Have accountability partners.
- Revisit my goals regularly and modify them accordingly.
- Schedule and execute my to-do list.
- Practice self-care.
Implementing these steps helps me stay on track and monitor my progress. You could also take these steps with you this year.
I encourage you to strive, pursue and accomplish your goals this year. However, I know we all entered this year somehow skeptical. It’s OK. Despite the ongoing pandemic, 2020 is gone. It’s now in the past. We have to take its lessons and move on. Life must go on.
Keep your dreams alive and strive to achieve them!
