By: Mackenzie Brammer
Edited by: Ms. Christina Shaffer
The ball dropped, the fireworks went off, and the confetti flew. Now it’s a new year and you’re stuck staring at your list of new year’s resolutions, knowing that you’ll probably forget about them in a few months. We’ve all been there! If you want your new year's resolutions to actually happen this year, the most important step is making sure they’re attainable.
Before considering the other details of creating a goal, you should get a clear idea of what it is you want to accomplish. Visualize your ideal outcome and write it down.
Next you should break it down. Break down what you want to achieve in smaller, more achievable steps. Make sure these steps are attainable and measurable so you are able to track your progress.
In order to set an attainable goal, you must consider multiple things. Are your goals realistic? Can they be achieved in a reasonable timeframe? Is this something YOU want? These questions are all very important to ask in the process of setting goals. The most important thing to think about is if your resolution is realistic. You must make sure that it is possible to achieve your goal before moving forward. Don’t set goals if you know they can’t be achieved!
Next, you should consider the amount of time that will be needed to complete your goal. Is it a long term or a short term goal? Will it take a month, a year, or five years? Estimating an amount of time will help you to pace yourself. It will also help you to stay focused and motivated.
After setting a timeline, create a check in schedule. This could be every week, every month or every year. This schedule will help you to keep track of your progress and make adjustments if needed. Don’t forget to celebrate the small wins along the way! This will keep you motivated and help you to keep going.
In the end, sometimes you’ll find that the goal you set is not attainable. That’s okay! You can adjust it however you want in order to make it work for you. If you really put the work into it, you will be able to do it. Keep a manageable amount of goals and don’t stress yourself out too much. You can do this!