We’ve welcomed in the year 2020! Talk of resolutions and goal plans is the number one topic Whether your goals are personal, professional or both, the common objective is to succeed, accomplish and excel in the coming year.
Defining a goal is crucial, and doing that in the right way is essential.
Here are five things to avoid when setting your 2020 goals and how to set attainable ones.
1. Don’t compare yourself to others
Research has found that social comparison actually detracts from motivation. Focus only on how you can do better! Don’t compare yourself to others. It won’t help you accomplish your goals. Everyone has a different set of skills and experiences that shape their work. Embrace your uniqueness and focus on self-improvement.
2. Don’t be general
Avoid general and subjective goals that can’t be measured. When you set specific, measurable goals, they become attainable. These benchmarks create a roadmap for you to hit along the way to your goal. To achieve a goal, you need to feel connected to it. You need incremental deadlines and small step game-plans to keep you on the path to your goal.
3. Don’t keep your goals a secret
Mentors, coworkers, and friends who know about your goals, can support you during your goal journey. According to this 2018 report, mentors not only share important information they also help your ability to maintain your commitment. When you are open about your goals with people you trust, you lay the foundation for invaluable coaching, encouragement and timely feedback. When you have people who want to see you succeed as much as you want to succeed, the accountability factor becomes a strong motivator. You need a village to cheer you on, vet your ideas, support your cause and catch you if you doubt yourself!
4. Don’t fantasize
An interesting study from NYU and the University of Hamburg found that people who fantasized about out of reach job prospects received significantly fewer job offers and earned less money. What this illustrates is that goals should begin with small steps and simple action items. Aiming too high leads to procrastination and feeling that your goal is impossible. Having a realistic approach gives you confidence along the way as you achieve small pieces of your goal, the bigger goals become easier to achieve.
5. Don’t focus only on the results
Sometimes the process of achieving a goal is more important than the goal itself. The skills and confidence that come with small accomplishments can create huge results. We aren’t always in charge of the outcomes, but we can use our experiences to grow and learn.
Whatever your personal and professional goals are, be sure to focus on enjoying the challenge and watching yourself grow!
What has helped you when setting and working toward goals? We’d love to hear your advice!