Goal Setting – Increase Your Chances Of Accomplishing Your New Years Resolutions By Writing Them Down

Calendar January 2, 2010 | Posted by Brad Chaffee

goalsHave you made New Years resolutions year in and year out, only to realize you quit before you even started? I have, and I’d be a liar if I said otherwise. We have all done it.

Have you ever been to the gym on January 1st? It’s a zoo, filled with sweaty people trying to prove they are serious this time—even if it’s really themselves that they are trying to convince. I’ve been that sweaty person.

By the end of January, it’s suddenly pretty easy to find an elliptical machine to jump on. Chances are you could even stay on it for an entire hour as opposed to the usual 30 minute limit. I’ve seen it myself.

If I told you there was a way to increase the likelihood you would stick to your New Years resolutions would you believe me? Actually there are many ways, but the main one, and probably the most important one is by drafting the contract.

That contract is your written set of goals! Brian Tracy says that a goal not on paper is only a wish because it has no power behind it. (just like a contract) Putting your goals down on paper is just like signing a contract with yourself. People who set written goals are far more likely to complete them for many different reasons.

New Years resolutions often lose steam because without the contract they do not get to visually see what they’ve accomplished. That visual confirmation gives us motivation and inspires us to continue to complete the next one and the next one, until we have completed the list in its entirety.

Furthermore, by not providing some sort of accountability for yourself, you are giving yourself an escape route into the dark night. Shine some light on yourself instead. Tell someone— family member or a friend. Share your goals with your spouse or someone that will support you and encourage you.

Goal Setting Examples

It’s why the debt snowball method to paying off debt works so well. It’s the perfect example. You write a list of your debts in order from smallest to largest and you focus on the smallest first. Once you’ve crossed the smallest debt off your list you are pumped and excited to move to the next one. Crossing each goal off the list is powerful. Try it.

Another great example is a written budget. If you do one you are far more likely to follow it. When you take the time to write out a budget you gain a much clearer picture of your situation giving you the advantage. Try it.

Goal setting is mostly psychological!

4 Important Steps In The Goal Setting Process

  • Write the rough draft. This is a list that is general, yet comprehensive. It can cover one area or many. What do you want to get accomplished?
  • Prioritize those goals. List them in order of importance. What would help you the absolute most if you got it done right now?
  • Set mini goals for each goal. Take each general goal on your list above and create sub-goals that will help you accomplish each one. What can you specifically do in order to complete each goal the fastest?
  • Don’t violate the contract. Do your best to follow what you agreed to do. If you violate the agreement what are the consequences? How will it affect you?

Once you have these three steps completed it’s time to take action. You will be surprised at how fast you can accomplish what you want to accomplish by writing it down. Print off a copy for your fridge, or anywhere else that you need to—to serve as a reminder.

Accomplish all your New Years Resolutions this year by setting goals on paper. I have a very comprehensive list of goals that I plan to accomplish in 2010. The only difference this year is that I will succeed. Will you?

Happy New Year! Best of luck to you in 2010!

photo credit

Brad Chaffee is the Enemy of Debt, and a regular contributor here at the Self Reliance Exchange. Learn more about Brad by reading his bio. You may also contact him here.

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