Turning your resolutions into reality

The start of the new year often involves us setting resolutions that’ll lead us to a more fulfilling and productive life – a life that is a tad bit rosier than the one lived the year before. However, as much as all of our resolutions come from a positive aspect, life tends to get in the way and we find ourselves falling off the wagon. Goal setting, then, becomes an important aspect for turning our resolutions into reality.

Check out these five golden rules for goal setting and turn your resolutions into reality:

1. It’s important to set resolutions that motivate you, in that same breath, your goals should also motivate you and hold a highly prioritised position in your life.

2. With regards to resolutions, it’s important that you also follow the ‘SMART goals’ method. The method essentially entails that your goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.

3. There’s a certain mystic attached to writing down your goals and actually seeing a physical manifestation of your thoughts. In this way, your goals become real and tangible – always frame them positively.

4. A goal with no action is as good as a good dream that you cannot recall. During your goal setting, it is important to write out individual steps that are needed to reach the goal and then follow through. For instance, if one of your resolutions was to lose weight then an individual step would be going to the gym and keeping track of your fitness journey.

5. Setting goals is not a means to an end, it is an ongoing activity that requires discipline and tenacity. You have to stick with it, even if it seems like it isn’t immediately attainable. Go back to the board and review your progress, make necessary adjustments and keep on firing.