New Year. New (Attainable) Goals

I’m not much for setting New Year resolutions. They’ve always seem like a flash in the pan for me. But goals? That’s my jam.

Each year, I set a few goals for myself, within the realm of my professional and personal life. Some are straightforward, like hitting a specific revenue number within my business. Others are more aligned with my personal growth, like honoring my creative impulse.

Over the years, I’ve observed my success rate is significantly higher when I follow these parameters:

1. Keeping the goal attainable.

Much has been said about creating SMART goals so I won’t delve too much into it. But this year, I’m particularly focused on the A in this acronym: attainable goals.

If 2021 (and 2020) has taught me anything, it’s that my mental health is not a bottomless well. With everything that comes with a global pandemic, the fatigue is real. So I’ve decided that this year, I really want to take the time and intention to set goals that are both relevant, attainable and fun.

But that said, it’s not an “out” to setting easy goals, or compromising on my dream. It’s just acknowledging that sometimes you might have to take it slower, and not knowing the final destination on Day 1 is okay. The way I do this is by breaking down the end goal into manageable chunks of actions.

2. Breaking it down

Take my goal of honoring my creative impulse. What does that really mean anyways? As of now, I’m not entirely sure. All I know is, I want to dedicate time in 2022 to pursue a creative project that make my heart sing. What form that may take is not clear to me yet.

So in order to make it more tangible, I’ve decided I will take 20 minutes out of my day to “play”, whether it be in the form of doodling in my sketchbook, trying to play music, or having fun with Lego blocks. Whatever strikes my mood. I have a feeling this form of play will take me somewhere extraordinary.

With my revenue goal, I’m approaching it in the same way. I break down that big $ number into 4 quarterly goals, then dice it again into 12 monthly goals. I then ask myself, what do I need to do in the next 30, 60 and 90 days to hit those mini goals? Suddenly that big 2022 number doesn’t so out of reach after all.

3. Make it fun

See above re: 20 minutes of play. Sounds pretty fun to me!

4. Write it down.

There’s power to writing down your goals. I can attest to that. Every time I’ve written down my goals, I’ve reached them, or at least come very close. Writing something down is a way of affirming the goal, and that is a powerful way to set things in motion.

5. Review your goals frequently

This is key. How will you get to your final destination if you don’t check the map once in a while?

Ending with a snippet of my goals in 2022:

1. Be in nature (outside) everyday.
2. Showing up. At work. At home. 
3. Honor my creative impulse. Remember: “Extraordinary is everywhere."

Stay well and extraordinary in 2022.

xo
Viola