7 steps to define your goals for the new year

Finally! We've reached the end of this year, 2020, which has been so long and so different from all the others. We want to start the new year with the hope that everything will get better. I don't know if it will be a year without Covid. I know from my experience that when we set goals to achieve in the new year, the probability of them coming true is very low... Here are 7 SIMPLE STEPS to help you define your NEW YEAR'S resolutions:

First step Sit comfortably and think about what you truly want your life to be. Close your eyes and visualise it. Where are you? Who are you with? What are you doing? What do you hear and what do you see? How do you feel? Let the images, feelings and thoughts come and just observe. When you are ready, open your eyes, pick up a pen, and write what you want to achieve in 2021.

Second step – For each thing you want to achieve in 2021, answer the question: What specifically do I want to achieve? Focus on what you want, rather than what you don't want. When you are ready, look at what you've written for each goal and rephrase it as a positive sentence, this will make it easier to remember.

3rd STEP – What you cannot measure, you cannot manage. Make your goals measurable. Answer the question “how will I measure my success?” Do this with concrete actions for each of your goals.

4th STEP Explore the “pains” of not achieving your goals and the gains of achieving them. What is the urgency/importance/necessity now to achieve your goal? Answer this question for each goal and continue with “what will happen if I do nothing to achieve my goal? When you are ready, try to feel the pleasure of conquering what you want. What will change? What will I see, hear, feel? What will happen? What will be different? Do this for each of your goals.

Fifth step A goal is verbalised as a dream with a deadline. When exactly do you want to achieve your goal? In 3 months, on your birthday, at the end of the year? Make sure the deadline you set is realistic and achievable. Put exact dates on each goal.

6th Step – Create an action plan for each of your objectives. List all the steps you need to take to achieve your goal. Create an action plan for each objective. Make a list of the sequence of actions that are necessary to achieve it and set a date for taking the first step and for achieving each objective.

7th STEP - Finally, think of someone who can support you. We often commit more to promises we've made to others than to ourselves. It helps to have someone to work with on what's holding us back, what's sabotaging us, someone who reminds us of the pain and the benefits. Someone who will lend you a hand when needed.

Don't forget to CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS!! Celebrate and remember each step and each victory achieved. If you need help with this process or want more exercises to do more and better next year, we are here to help you!

I challenge you today to define your goals for 2021 by following these 7 steps. If you have any questions during this process, please get in touch with me by emailing info@integrativa.pt.

Sofia Raposo Psychologist and Personal/Professional Coach

I believe that human beings are endowed with infinite potential, and it is within ourselves that we find the solutions to achieve our goals.