Goals vs. Resolutions - Part Three

ABC’s of Goal Setting

When we set resolutions, we often forget the “ABC’s of effective goal setting”.  The focus with resolutions is mostly about the “doing” (spin class 3 times a week, low carb eating, tripling Q1 sales) without much else to help make meeting those resolutions a reality.  Lack of motivation, burnout and even depression can result.  In contrast, making sure we consider accountability, balance and celebration in goal setting has proven to boost success. 

Accountability

Let’s face it … a lot of us have trouble acknowledging that we need help from others.  It’s been my experience, however, that the sheer act of telling someone else about a goal I have set has increased my odds of meeting that goal exponentially.  Asking for them to help keep me on track even more so!  But it's important to set clear expectations with your accountability partner. Don't let them nag you every day; instead, ask them to check in at specific times and help you overcome obstacles when things get tough. For example, if I set a goal to walk 10,000 steps a day, I might ask my spouse to check in with my progress every weekend and help me troubleshoot when I'm struggling to find time.

Balance

We can set goals and dream big, but if the action steps needed to meet our goals throw off our life balance, we are unlikely to stick with them.  When creating goals, think through the sacrifices you might have to make to fit the effort in your daily routine.  If the sacrifice is too great or not aligned with your values, it will be too easy to get discouraged and even resentful.  Let’s say I set a goal to connect more with my team at work and just “add” more 1:1’s to the calendar.  I can’t add more hours in the day.  I’m just going to end up canceling those meetings and doing potentially more damage to my relationship with the team.  As part of the goal, I’m going to have to adjust my calendar to reflect a balanced schedule with the addition and prioritization of connection.

Celebration

It's easy to get caught up in the focused mindset of trying to achieve your goals, but don't forget to celebrate your wins along the way. This will help you stay motivated and keep going. When I was leading a team of business analysts, we worked on a large proprietary operations application for a mortgage lender.  When we finished one department’s entire workflow, we immediately jumped to the next.  This eventually led to burnout and missed opportunities to generate excitement with our colleagues!  Don’t miss out on the chance to lift your spirit and others by intentionally celebrating the small wins along the journey.

Want to learn more about setting achievable goals?  

If this three-part series on how to set achievable goals vs. forgettable resolutions has resonated with you, click here to learn more about my free “How to Actually Reach Your Goals in 2025” workshop coming next month.  Just mention “goals” with your contact information and I’ll send you the details.  Or, if you prefer one-on-one coaching, schedule a complimentary 30-minute call. Let's work together to achieve your goals!