Twitter
Facebook
***image1***By now most of us have probably forgotten what our New Year’s resolution was, let alone stuck to it. We are strangely comforted somehow though by the fact that we won’t have to come up with new ones until next year.
But why wait until Jan. 1 to attempt a positive change in our lives and behaviors? Why not step out of our comfort zones and take advantage of spring’s new beginnings – not with the same resolution we haven’t kept for the last five years, but a new challenging goal.
Part of the problem with a resolution is that if we fail to stick with it in the very short term we may convince ourselves that it just wasn’t in the cards this year. In most cases, we simply vow to try harder next year and move on. Setting and achieving a goal is an opportunity for a sense of accomplishment and a renewed sense of purpose.
Ideally the goal should be specific and observable, attainable but challenging, and require commitment and feedback. Begin your goal setting journey by choosing one area in your personal or professional life you would like to improve. Once you’ve decided on an area to improve take some time to brainstorm a list of strengths and weaknesses regarding that area of your life. The key is to be honest with yourself. If your goal is to improve upon something you’re already doing, examine your current methods. Perhaps your current methods simply need a more formal structure and measurable milestones.
As you draft your goal statement try to steer away from broad generalizations such as, “I’d like to be a better role model to all.” Rather, a goal such as, “I’d like to be a more effective mentor to sergeant X and Airman Y,” is better because it is specific and observable.
Part of being specific and observable is being able to measure your progress. Make a list of things which once achieved will bring your goal to fruition and include a timeline as well. In the case of effective mentorship, it could be identifying a certain number of formal one-on-one sessions per quarter, awards package submissions or shared professional development opportunities.
The goal statement above also fits the second rule of goal setting because it is challenging but attainable. There is greater satisfaction from a goal that is challenging than one that requires minimal effort. Know your limits though, not everyone is cut out to be a rocket scientist.
Finally, because success may not come overnight, remain committed to the goal while fighting for constructive feedback. Commit to continually following up on the list of things you chose as milestones along with the timeline to measure your progress. Build some slack into your timeline to accommodate unforeseen setbacks. And finally, be prepared to readjust and go back to the drawing board if necessary, but don’t quit.
So don’t be discouraged if your New Year’s resolutions didn’t work out the way you planned, come up with a new date of significance such as May 1 to kick things off. Start this spring off right by setting a meaningful worthwhile goal and achieve it.
