It’s that time of year again when the world is talking about goals for the new year. I’ve got mixed feelings about the whole process. Let’s take a closer look.
Here is the upside of goal setting:
1. Focus and Clarity: Think of goals as your personal GPS. They give you a clear direction and help you prioritize stuff. No more wandering around aimlessly.
2. Motivation Boost: Goals are like cheerleaders, cheering you on. They keep you motivated and determined, even when things get a bit dicey.
3. Seeing Progress: High-five for hitting those milestones! Goals let you track your progress, showing how far you’ve come. It feels amazing, trust me.
4. Accountability Partner: Sharing goals makes you accountable. Whether it’s telling a friend or using an app, it keeps you in check and committed. (I’ve got an accountability group that I’d like to invite you to.)
5. Growth Spurts: If done right, pursuing goals pushes you out of your comfort zone. It’s like a crash course in personal growth—new skills, new experiences, new you!
The downside:
1. Stuck in a Box: Sometimes, strict goals can make you feel like you have blinders on. You might miss out on other cool things happening around you.
2. Stress Alert: Aim too high, and stress might knock on your door. Burnout isn’t fun, folks. Remember to take breaks!
3. Fear Factor: Scared of failing? It happens! Fear of falling short can stop you from dreaming big or trying new things.
4. Overwhelm: Sometimes in our enthusiasm for charting a bigger bolder path we reach too high and too far. It all seems too daunting even to try.
5. Disappointments & Dips: Not reaching a goal can be demotivating. Learning to pick yourself up and start again is a skill in itself.
So, goal setting? It’s like a superhero—awesome but not without flaws. Be kind to yourself and set yourself up for success. Perhaps plan 1 or 2 quarters in advance, rather than the whole year. Do you really want to be working full time? Maybe pulling back a bit in 2024 to allow for more outside activities would be beneficial or give you a breather. You are in the driver’s seat.
Find your own balance. Enjoy the journey, celebrate wins, Keep setting those goals, but don’t forget to savor the moments along the way. You’ve got this!