New year - new goals

The beginning of a new year often marks the beginning of new goals – goals that will make you happy, both personally and professionally.  In order to set goals that will make 2015 a truly fulfilling year for you, start by identifying your personal values – what drives you and makes you who you are.  

Your values greatly influence your behaviour and attitude.  Your values lead you to think and respond to situations in a particular way.  If your core values are not being met, you are being untrue to yourself and you will likely feel discontented no matter what goals you set for the year ahead.

What exactly are your values?

1.    One easy way to think about your values is to think about 3 people who inspire you. They can be leaders, politicians, actors, peers, bosses, friends or family. Write them down. 

2.    Next, identify one trait that you admire the most about each of these people.

Now that you have identified your "inspirational values" - the values you look up to and wish to have yourself or most likely already have – think about whether or not these values are being met. 

If not, set yourself 3 goals that, once achieved, will enable you to meet your inspirational values.  Think about things you may have been putting off and really want to do.  

As the late Steve Jobs said:

“Live every day as if it were your last day, don’t waste it by living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. And most important have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

Next steps

With your 3 goals in mind, the next step is to set realistic deadlines with a clear action plan.  Here’s how:

1)     Write down your goals. Draw a picture or find an image that will remind you of your goals. Place it somewhere you see it everyday - on your PC, mirror, desk, for example.

2)    Set yourself short and realistic deadlines.  For example, your first step might be to research or contact someone to find out more information.  Set a deadline within the next week to do this and continue to set short deadlines until the goal is met.   

3)    Share your goals with a friend or colleague who can support you and hold you accountable.

4)    Never give up and don’t be too hard on yourself.  

Remember, your goals can bring you fulfillment. You really want to achieve them so you will regret the chances you don’t take.   Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. However small your step, celebrate your success and embrace the results.  Don’t let another year pass you by.  Make 2015 the year of aspirations, actions and achievements! 

Here’s to a happy and successful 2015!