When it comes to setting goals, most of us put pen to paper on January 1st, jotting down a list of things we’d like to achieve. Some of us accomplish everything on the list: while others fail by February 1st.
In fact, if you fall into the latter camp, you’re certainly in the majority. Research suggests some 92% of new year goal-setters don’t achieve what they set out to.
That statistic may make for pretty grim reading, but don’t let it deter you. It may not be your willpower, talent, or even your mindset that’s standing in your way, but the time of year you’re choosing to set those all-important goals.
Think about it: most of us start January feeling broke and sluggish. We’re back at work after an extended period of time off and are bombarded with messages of achievement and perfection. It’s a lot to deal with. Throw extreme resolutions into the mix and you have yourself a potent cocktail of pressure, disappointment, and burnout.
But September? That’s when you might have the most goal-setting success. Research shows we’re in a more focused and motivated headspace as the summer draws to a close. Studies indicate that career development searches peak at this time, while enrolment in health-focused groups, like slimming clubs, soars.
Add to that, term times normally start in September, so we have been programmed from a young age to have a fresh start at the beginning of Autumn. The month is straight after summer, a period that’s normally associated with carefree spontaneity and hedonism, so we’re ready to knuckle down too.
So now you know: September is the new January and may well be a better time to set – and achieve – your goals. Here are some tips to help you do exactly that…
Reflect
To move forward, you must first look back. Undoubtedly, if you’re here you set some goals in January that have fallen by the wayside. Rather than beat yourself up about it, simply take a non-judgemental look at what went wrong.
Maybe you didn’t have the right plans or support systems in place. Perhaps you encountered a setback and decided to give up. Gathering this knowledge now means you can avoid these pitfalls in the future – and you have eight months of insights to unlock.
Figure out your priorities
Imagine it’s December 31st. The clock is counting down to midnight and you’re reflecting on just how epic the past few months have been.
Now ask yourself this: what three things could you achieve between now and then to ensure you end the year on a high note? Remember: You can only pick three. Not four or five, or 20.
Sometimes when setting goals, we write lengthy lists and get overwhelmed, when really we should prioritise what’s most important to us. Maybe financial stability would transform your life and you finally want to clear off all that debt.
Perhaps, what matters most to you is getting out of that dead-end job and finding a role that really fills you up.
Take some time to suss out what’s most important. Don’t worry, you can always set new goals, or write a more detailed list in the New Year.
Write your goals down
Did you know that only one percent of people actually write out their goals and that doing so, is one of the key indicators as to whether or not you’ll achieve them?
Numerous studies have confirmed it, so right now, put pen to paper and jot down what you want to achieve. You might like to set SMART goals: that stands for goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based.
Another hack? Use headings, for example, finances, health, relationships, and career. If it aligns with your objectives, choose the three most important categories and set a goal for each one.
Make sure you keep your list somewhere you’ll see it every day – stuck to your fridge or on the first page of your journal – to keep those all-important desires fresh in your mind.
Get organised
It’s often been said that a dream without a plan is just a wish. There’s more than a grain of truth to that statement and, if your January goals hit a wall, improper planning may be to blame.
Don’t just write out your goals and hide that list away in a drawer, ensuring that your goals are quickly forgotten. Make plans for how you’ll achieve them instead.
In his book, The Seven Principles of Success, motivational speaker Jack Canfield recommends listing five action steps you can take for every goal you set.
If you’ve decided that you want to get fit and healthy before the end of the year, that might mean adding things like joining a gym, creating weekly meal plans, and eating more veg.
Want to go one further? Keep a daily to-do list. Each day, list at least one action step that relates to the desires you want to accomplish. Doing so ensures you move closer to your goals every single day. It also makes accomplishing the things you set out to more manageable.
Turn setbacks into success
Sooner or later, you’re going to encounter a fork in the road. Things will inevitably go wrong. At this point, many of us give up. We throw in the towel and assume that setbacks are a sign we weren’t meant to accomplish our goals in the first place.
But setbacks are an opportunity to double down on your goals. They’re a chance to remember why you’re doing what you’re doing, to reassess what’s not working, and to create new plans for the future. Setbacks aren’t a sign to give up: rather they are a test to prove just how much you want it.
When the sh*t hits the proverbial fan, give yourself some time to recover. Then dust yourself down, look at what went wrong, and plan how you can better navigate challenges in the future.
Congratulations. You just survived your first hurdle.
Reward your success
We all need incentives and sometimes the actual achievement of your goal can be a long way off. This September, consider rewarding yourself on a daily or weekly basis – or plan rewards when you’ve made some major progress.
A reward could be something small like a cup of coffee, a meal out, or a new book, bag, or pair of shoes, or it could be something huge, like a holiday or luxury purchase.
Rewards along the way ensure you keep on keeping on, especially if you’re working on some long-haul goals. Don’t just take our word for it. According to research, regular rewards can improve motivation and lead to better ‘behavioural outcomes’.
So there you have it: permission to treat yourself, granted.
Just keep going
We know, we know, this one is easier said than done. Accomplishing stuff isn’t always exciting or fulfilling: sometimes it’s painstakingly slow, repetitive, monotonous and super dull.
When the initial buzz of motivation wears off, it’s easy to slip back into old habits. One way to keep yourself accountable is to keep a journal. Keep your September goals front and centre by listing them in your journal every morning and reflecting on your progress each night.
When you feel like giving up – which you inevitably will – close your eyes and imagine you’ve just achieved everything you’ve ever wanted. Savour that sweet feeling of success. Keep it with you and you might just achieve all your goals by December 31st.
Author - Victoria Stokes
Freelance Writer And Editor - View All Articles
Writer specialising in personal development, wellness, mental health, and women's lifestyle niches. Previously digital and deputy editor of Ireland's biggest women's title STELLAR Magazine and Senior Editor at Ireland's Wedding Journal.
