How many goals and desires have you repeatedly put off until tomorrow, next month or next year?
If you’re like most people, you have at least one or two things on your list that have been there for a while now. Sometimes we put things off due to procrastination. Other times, it is a lack of organization or confidence that keeps us from working toward our goals. Although we should chip away at our goals all year long, the new year is a great opportunity to assess where you are and where you would like to go.
It’s a well-known fact that writing your goals down increases the chances of you reaching them. A Harvard Business study revealed that:
• 83 percent of the population does not have goals
• 14 percent have a plan in mind, but they are unwritten goals
• 3 percent have goals written down
The study found that the 14 percent who have goals are ten times more successful than those without. The 3% with written goals are 3 times more successful than the 14 percent with unwritten goals.
Some people take it a step further by creating a vision board. The vision board is a creative visual representation of what you want your life to be. There are many ways to approach it. Below is a seven-step process to walk you through it.
1. Write a list: Create a list of things you want to accomplish or focus on in your life. These can be tangible goals like “get a promotion at work” or “work out three times a week.” They can also be intangible goals that revolve around themes like “more happiness” or “increased creativity.”
2. Gather supplies: Create your vision board on a large poster board, sketch pad, large sheets of paper or cork board. Search through magazines for images that represent the life you want. You can also use lettering and other arts and crafts to help bring your vision to life. Get creative with it!
3. Determine a time span: Decide how long you want to give yourself to accomplish your goal(s). It can be several months, a year or longer. A year-long timeframe is a favorite among many because it takes time to cultivate and recognize change, but choose whatever duration works best for you.
4. Set targets: Create a few milestones that will challenge you along the way.
5. Make your goals public: Another way to help ensure that you are successful is to share your goals with the people in your life. Once you share some or all your intentions, you have people who can keep you accountable.
6. Keep your vision board visible: Place your vision board somewhere where you can see it regularly as a constant reminder.
7. Evaluate your progress periodically: Check in with yourself regularly to evaluate your progress along the way. Are you doing as much as you can be doing to reach your vision? Are you doing what you said you would do? If not, don’t beat yourself up; just get to it. If so, congratulations – you are on your way to making this your best year yet.
Most importantly, don’t forget to celebrate your success. Once you accomplish the goals you set for yourself, remember to pause for a celebration. You deserve it!
Happy New Year.
