You Have Just 5 Months Left To Make It Work
How is it that we are already half way through the year? How did everyone forget to warn us about those mighty goals we set for ourselves entering the year 2017? I guess if we knew that the year would run so quickly we would’ve put less pressure of our selves to be called achievers of 2017. So if you’re like me who wrote a whole book on goal setting and filled out every page but is yet to achieve all set goals, don’t panic. We still have 5 months or so, to make you feel better. Or, let’s say about 150 days to achieve our goals.
Here are steps you need to take to ensure you achieve the reaming goals set for 2017.
REVIEW YOUR GOALS I remember in an article I wrote around December 2016 for my column on THISDAY Newspaper, I discussed the importance of setting SMART goals. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Based goals. We used different techniques to ensure that those goals were achievable. It is time for you not to review the past 6 months, have you been investing your time in activities that will help achieve your goals, or are you spending more energy complaining about those goals. Are your goals still relevant or perhaps its time to set new goals? Are the time frames you set still realistic? If a goal you set no longer works or is no longer valid, do not be afraid to strike it off your list.
CREATE A MIND MAP This should be a clear picture of the steps needed to achieve your new goals as perhaps what you need is a good old reminder. A mind map can help you make better connections between facts and ideas. You can also use them as solution boards.
DISCUSS WITH A TRUSTED FRIEND/ MENTOR If that goal seems impossible to achieve or is properly way out of your league then you should talk to your mentor. Your mentors have probably had such goals in the past and can advice on the do’s and don’ts on achieving them.
DOWNLOAD A PRODUCTIVITY APP Can I be the first to remind you that for almost all issues pertaining humans, there is a technological procedure to make life easier and better. So download a productivity app today or a journal that’s can help track your daily progress.
HANDLE ONE TASK AT A TIME As written in my goal setting workbook, the best approach in achieving those big goals is achieving the small and. medium goals in between. So deal for example instead of dealing with the whole 24 hours ahead of you why don’t you handle your day hour by hour. That way you are not overwhelmed or anxious about the future.
BREAK BAD HABITS This could be sleeping when you are supposed to be working. Taking money out of your savings, being too hard on yourself. Spend a day writing down all your actions, thoughts and words. At the end of the day read through your list and start working on those things you think might be affecting your goals negatively.
JUST DO IT You have just 5 months left! This isn’t the time to let fear or regrets hold you back. Go after every dream or person on your goal-setting list. The worst that will happen is a simple “NO”. Train yourself to see the good in everything, be relentless, be brave and ensure you conduct periodic check-ins.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Debbie Larry-Izamoje AKA The Entrepreneur’s Best-Friend, holds a BSc in Information management from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. And Msc in management from University College London (UCL). She has also secured certificates in user innovation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Innovation and strategy from Harvard University. She is on a mission to raise a generation of young established or soon to be established professionals who are more vocal about business difficulties while providing solutions through public speaking, article writing, training, workshops and coaching.
She is the founder of Image Boosters a Communications and strategy agency aimed at assisting SME’s, with core services in social media management and business strategy consultation.