New year’s resolutions. A popular method of goal setting, but one that doesn’t tend to have the best success rate. Why?
Goals that fall by the wayside often have some things in common:
They aren’t written down
So, let’s explore creating goals.
Goal setting is something that gets talked about a lot in NDIS spaces. If you’re a participant, you’ll have been asked to set some goals for your NDIS plan. These can be anything you want, and sometimes it can be difficult to figure out what that might be.
If you work in the disability industry, or support a loved one with a disability, you’ll be looking to align outcomes with the goals of the participants you support – and you’ll have your own goals, whether they be work-based or personal.
Creating Change, written by Barbara Lightburn, is a resource to support anyone looking to hone their goal setting skills.
Top Tip – Write your goals down and monitor progress
Setting strong, personalised goals can be extremely beneficial in assisting you to achieve what you want to achieve. For many of us, having a written record and a way to track progress is very supportive. There are many ways to record your goals and monitor progress – from spreadsheets to apps to journalling, there is bound to be a method that will work for you.
At MAP, we’ve built a culture inspired by the importance of setting goals as a way to support all areas of life. Seeing our achievements gives us a sense of success, builds confidence, and empowers us to continue striving. No win is too small, and if you’re tracking your progress, you’ll get to see in real time just how far you’ve progressed, despite any setbacks or interruptions.
This is so important, because many of us notice shortcomings far more sharply than we recognise successes. Retraining your focus to be objective and positive helps you stay strong when times get tough.
Top Tip – Make your goals “SMART”
There are so many positives to learning to set goals – and beyond that, to adjust those goals when things change for you. Sometimes a goal no longer applies or may become unrealistic. Any number of things can change in the time we’re working to achieve the things we’re aiming for.
There’s a skill to strong goal setting, and it’s one that can be learned and honed. A popular method is “SMART” goals. SMART stands for:
Specific
Developed by George T. Doran, SMART goals help you be clear about what you want to do, support you to set a timeframe to keep you on track and accountable, ensuring it’s realistic and applicable to you, and assists with measuring your achievements.
On top of creating a SMART goal, you can break the goal down into manageable steps or actions. This will make it easier to monitor for those small wins and see your progress. Chapter 4 of Creating Change includes a helpful workbook section to guide you through this.
Check in and review your goals regularly – daily, weekly or monthly check ins work well for many goals, and allow you to adjust your focus, try new approaches and recognise what’s going well as you work towards your goals.
Top Tip – Develop a support network
Having support can help us towards our goals in a variety of ways. From encouragement to holding us accountable, a support network gives us people to rely on for help and perspective.
Different types of goals need different types of support. It’s important to consider who might be the best person, or group of people, to help out. From emotional support to professional guidance, there are options appropriate to every type of goal.
Online spaces are increasingly popular ways to connect with likeminded people, especially for those living rurally or regionally. Local clubs and groups might be an option too – for example, a book club or sports group could help with a goal around reading more, or learning a new fitness activity. Consider your budget and explore training or coaching options that may suit your needs.
Goals help us give our lives direction, supporting us to achieve and grow in the ways that we want. Consider your new year’s resolutions and think about how you might be able to refine and refocus them into strong, SMART goals. Have you made those small wins already? Celebrate them! Will you benefit from an accountability partner, or some guidance from someone with experience? Explore finding that support.
Most of all, remember your purpose. You set this goal for a reason. It’s yours to achieve.