Guide to Setting Goals For The New Year That Last Beyond January 31st

By Beth Silver, Managing Director of Doubet Consulting

For many of us, New Year's goals are easily set and more easily sacrificed in favor of those matters we deem more pressing. Whether it's reconnecting with old contacts, improving your financial situation or improving sales in your firm, New Year's goals can be very difficult to keep. By working on the goals you set now, future goals will be easier to attain. Besides, learning new things or the possibility of new revenues, reaching goals often leads to improved self-esteem.

The following tips can help you set and work towards reaching your goals, past January 31st: 

* Believe in Yourself: Realize the New Year is a great excuse for a fresh start and to review the past year, a bit more objectively. Be excited at the opportunities that come your way and see how you can become a catalyst to get things moving.
 
* Sharpen your Pencils: In order to achieve goals, it helps to put them in writing. This action allows you to be accountable to yourself and lets you see what you need to do when things look harder than they seem. Believe it or not, writing things down makes goals more achievable than when there is a jumble of thoughts bouncing around in your head. 

*  Review Last Year's Goals: Take an objective look at the business and personal goals you made last year. Evaluate what you were able to achieve and move forward; learn to let go of lower level priorities that may be holding you back. 

* Set Realistic Goals & Objectives: When you think about new goals and objectives, make sure they're within your reach. Be mindful of your time, energy, commitments and resources. Many people forget that life continues, even when you set new goals. If you don't take this into consideration now, it will lead to unrealistic goal setting.

* Develop a Plan: Think about a plan for reaching your goals. Create a timeline with steps. Set deadlines for each step and cross them off as you go. Schedule and update meetings with yourself in a monthly calendar to ensure you are reviewing and adjusting these steps as it relates to your life.

* Be Flexible: Remember, life is full of change, and as such, changes will need to be made. Don't get discouraged. Stay focused, as long as you are working toward your goals, things are moving in the right direction.

* Celebrate: It's very important that you reward yourself. Goal setting and goal reaching is not easy. The fact that you are considering these steps means you are serious about bettering your career and even your life. Go out and celebrate! Celebrations can include going to Starbucks, getting a manicure or spending time with friends.

The start of the New Year does not have to be the only time to set and achieve new goals. Whether you are setting personal, financial or business goals, I wish you all success on your journey.