Why Setting Goals For The New Year May Not Be For You & How To Actually Reach Your Potential In 2022
Updated: Dec 18, 2021
Written by: Samantha Hearne, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
I think it is safe to say that these themes become very topical around this time of your:
Setting new goals and intentions
Not letting another year ‘pass you by’
Making next year ‘the best yet’
You get the idea!
Well, I am here to tell you that there is MORE THAN ONE WAY for you to reach your potential, succeed and feel happy in the process, and I’d love to share this with you in this article.
This format is something I use with clients and for myself and I want to take you through this process now;
Step 1:
What is the context?
When you set any goal or intention, you, yes YOU, need to be able to give it real context.
Why is this a goal for you? What will happen when you achieve this goal? How will the process and journey to achieving this goal fulfil you, bring you joy and accomplishment, allow you to grow, better your lifestyle or experiences?
It can be so easy to set a goal based on shoulds, other people’s expectations or society’s timeline for you BUT more than anything, YOU need to feel a connection to the goal or intention you are setting.
Step 2:
Identify the challenges BEFORE they come up
What could prevent or distract you from achieving this goal or intention? Look at the year ahead and think about what else you have going on; other commitments, holidays, schedules, as well as your own emotional journey, energy levels, work life balance.
Is it achievable for you to work towards and achieve this goal or intention?
If there are things that could derail you on this path – HOW can you start to prepare for that now? How can you create some back-up support systems, or become proactive in creating the support you may need when these things show up for you.
For example:
Goal – to run a marathon
Potential challenges; injuries, illness, energy levels
How can you prepare for these?
Injuries – have regular sports massage booked, ensure my trainers don’t get too work.
Illness/energy levels – schedule in rest days throughout training to prevent burnout and allow recovery as much as you can.
This framework can be put into practice for any goal you may set. Which leads us to step 3.
Step 3:
Ownership and responsibility
In order to achieve anything, you must first accept your role in making that happen. Which is why, if you go back to step 1 and set a goal or intention based on expectation or other people, your association with it won’t be as personal as it needs to be.
Once you take full ownership and responsibility for your goals, you can start to actually make them happen!
This is a fundamental part in creating the success and progress you deserve. Yourself, and where you place your focus and attention.
Step 4:
Aligned action
This couldn’t be more relevant to follow step 3. Once you know you are the catalyst for your change and success you can start to take ALIGNED action to make it happen.
Why do I say aligned action?
Aligned action, is all about creating an action plan that; works for your lifestyle, your schedule, your energy levels, your passions and your habits.
It is not the same to SAY you will do something, as it is to ACTUALLY do it and stick to it.
It is also important to remember that just because we say we want to achieve something, doesn’t mean we will, unless we take aligned action to make it happen.
Step 5:
Make this a continual process
You can execute this framework at any point. Any day. Any month. Any moment.
So, your next step, place less pressure on the ‘new year’ and more emphasis and focus on; the context of your goals, preparing for the challenges and creating a plan to STILL succeed, taking full ownership for your outcomes and acting out of alignment to achieve them.
I’d love to know how you start to reframe your idea of goal setting and progress making, as well as how you allow this to become a continual commitment – not just something that has air-time in your mind for the month of December, because a new year is approaching. Your success is inevitable – if you take the action to make it happen (no matter what month it is!)
Samantha Hearne, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Samantha is a best selling self-published author, qualified coach and mentor who works with female entrepreneurs to build a business of sustainability, wealth & ease. Samantha runs 2 mastermind programmes, 1:1 mentoring programmes and a self-study business success school. Samantha supports her clients with; organic marketing, building a brand and engaged community, creating consistent sales (usually without launching), increasing profit within their business over time, creating balance, ease & fun, as well as a huge focus on mindset and performance habits for success.
As an ex teacher Samantha prides herself on differentiation, simple teaching strategies and encouraging her clients to reach their fullest potential.
