January 1, 2011 – A New Year begins – by Jon Bridgan
It seems so cliché to use a line like, “A new year; a time for new beginnings”, or any other of the phrases that indicate a time for change, a fresh start, or simply discussion of New Year’s resolutions. However, that’s what so many of us have been thinking about for the past several days and especially today. The New Year is a great time to evaluate where we have been and where we want to be in the upcoming months. But are the ideas you have for change really going to help you in 2011? Are you planning properly so that you have a better chance of succeeding? Do you have a way of realizing when you’ve reached your goals? Is there accountability in your plan?
Most often, people make goals to lose weight, get a better job, or save money, but these types of goals are vague and are easily brushed aside. First, think about making your goals very specific. For example, I want to lose weight. Ideally, I’d like to lose about 40 pounds. So if I simply say I want to lose weight, I have left a lot of open ends. So now I know exactly how much I want to lose. 40 pounds may sound like a lot of weight and it might seem completely impossible to some people. What’s a more attainable goal that could easily be reached? How about 2 pounds per week or 8 pounds per month? I would rather shoot for 8 pounds per month. Do the math. (8 x 5 = 40) So I know that if I can stick to losing just 8 pounds per month, in 5 months I will have reached my goal of 40 pounds lost. By breaking it down into smaller chunks I can see that it is a more reachable goal. Chances are fairly good that if I lose that first 8 pounds within the first month it will be much easier to stick to my plan and lose the rest.
I discussed the weight-loss goal first because I believe that it is a goal that so many people try to keep. Now let’s take a look at some of the other goals people set and find ways to make them more manageable.
Finding a better job – What does this mean to you? Do you just want better pay or do you want a different schedule than what you are currently working? Do you want to have added responsibility and be in charge or do you just want to do something that you really love to do? Once you determine what your definition of a better job is, you are better enabled to find it. Here’s another good example of this using my thoughts and ideas. If I were to decide I wanted a better job I would probably be saying that I wanted to do exactly what I wanted to do, something I really enjoyed. For me, two totally different things come to mind. First, I would love to work in the woods and mountains maybe as a Game Warden or Park Ranger. Now, this is something I think I’d really enjoy but the pay wouldn’t necessarily be the greatest. Also, for some states, to be a Game Warden, you need a college degree. Therefore, to become a Game Warden, I would have to complete my degree in college which would take at least two years and some tuition assistance along the way. Another job that I really think I would like is to become a Social Worker, specifically a Counselor of some type. Once again, I would need to go back to college and take on some serious courses before this could ever happen. I would definitely make a little better pay in this type of job and I would think I could have better control of my schedule if I had my own practice. Those are both added benefits that I can plan for. So define what your “better job” would be and why you want it. From there you can have a better idea of how to get where you want to be and if it is as easily attainable as you’d like it to be.
Saving money – Why do you want to save money? Have you lived paycheck to paycheck in the past and want to have the freedom to spend as you wish in between? Is there something in particular you would like to save for such as a vacation or a new car? Do you want to set up an emergency fund for the future, just in case? Decide why you want to save. Just stating that you want to save money will quickly lead you to not saving enough. I would like to save money because I have lived paycheck to paycheck and have not been able to take my kids on any cool vacations. How much do I need to save? We could go on a really great trip for $2000. When would I like to take this trip? Probably in August right before they go back to school. Why is this important? Well, I know when I need the money by, so I can work out the math again. There’s just a little over 7 months until I’d like to take a trip. ($2000 divided by 7 months = $286) I need to save around $286 per month for the next 7 months if I want to have $2000 to go on this trip in August. Now I need to figure out how to save that much money per month. The ideas for this are limitless but a few ways I could do it would be to drive less so as not to spend so much for gas. I could try to reduce the amount of utilities I use. I could buy the kids less junk during the year and fewer fast food meals to save money. Decide how much you need and then specific ways to get there so you have a much better chance of making it happen.
Another part of the setting goals equation is accountability. Accountability is defined as the state of being accountable, liable, or answerable. This is where a lot of people fail, even if they have a great plan in place. If there are benchmarks in place, or if there is a friend, maybe a relative, to ask you how you are doing with your goal, there is a much better chance of you keeping up with the plan to make the goal. This is definitely not the cure-all for goal setting but it can definitely make you want to keep up with your plan. So, tell someone you trust and can rely on that you are working on a plan to eat less McDonalds and more healthy food at home. Then ask them to check in on you every week or so just to see how things are going. Better yet, tell several people about your goals and plans to get there so more people can check on you and even offer encouragement if needed. This may be all you need to lose that last 20 pounds before spring gets here.
What are some other goals that you might think about? I have made a list of ideas that you might want to take on as your own. Just keep in mind that no matter what goals you set, even the most simple sounding goals, you should put a plan into place and remain accountable for them.
1) Contact old friends and family members
2) Take more photographs of things you enjoy
3) Sleep more or less each day
4) Read more books
5) Watch less TV
6) Do not get caught up in other people’s drama
7) Stop yelling at kids
8) Go fishing more often
9) Care about others more than yourself
10) Go to church
11)Paint the house
12) Fix up that old car
13) Take care of your body better
14) Find a new hobby
15) Make new friends
16) Learn how to positively discipline your kids
17) Learn to play an instrument
18) Learn to cook
19) Stop being a victim
20) Stop trying to control
21) Stop smoking
22) Start a club
23) Start a business
24) Start a website
25) Visit the museums
26) Travel overseas
27) Hike the Appalachian Trail
28) Get a dog
29) Learn a new language
30) Learn to love
Please tell me about your goals. If you have ideas to add to this list, I’d love to hear about them. If you have any other good advice concerning goals, tell me about it. Many people would end this with “Good Luck”. But someone taught me that there is no such thing as luck… only circumstance! Thanks and best wishes to you in 2011.
