We know that last year was a challenge for a lot of people on many levels. The key to bringing in a new year with a brighter outlook lies in your goal setting strategy. Do you have one?

Perhaps you’ve been thinking about getting a better job or going back to school? If so, set some clear and attainable goals for yourself that will help you get there. Here’s how you can do that:

Don’t Rush

Take a step-by-step approach to your goal. It’s important to take it slow and not take on too much at once. The main reason that some people fail when it comes to their New Year’s goals is because they take on too much at once and don’t have a realistic plan to follow through with.

It’s easy to say: “I want to get a better job” or “I want a college diploma.” Keep in mind that big goals like these will take some time and effort. Job searching can be hard to even begin because the thought of it may feel overwhelming. Getting a post-secondary education requires time and patience as it can take a few years to get it under your belt.

Remember that sometimes the beginning can be the hardest part. Get a support team of a few friends or family members together. They can be your cheerleaders and help you muster up the courage and enthusiasm to continue with your efforts. You’re not in it to give up……you’re a warrior!

Create a Plan

Like any gritty warrior, you’re going to create a clear and realistic plan to take you to your success. If you’re going to find a better job, define how you’re going to do that. Are you going to plan some online and offline networking? Are you going to work with a free job search program or a recruiter?

You know that you won’t find a better job overnight; it’s a steady action and follow-up that brings success. Even if you’re short on one of your short-term goals of, let’s say, being invited to a number of interviews, you can revise your plan and kick up the pace. That’s what you’ll be able to accomplish with a solid plan in place.

Let’s Get Real

Having a plan is one thing, but that plan needs to be realistic as well. In the beginning, you’ll be pumped and motivated to achieve something big. Know that you can achieve big things, but assess whether you have the foundation in place to make the goal a reality.

If you have a big goal that will take a couple of years to achieve, such as getting a college diploma, ask yourself if you need to improve your study habits or if you need academic upgrading to gain entrance.

If you’re looking for a better job but you need more advanced computer skills, look into what computer training is available to you before you even begin your job search.

Visualize the Outcome

When the novelty of starting something new wears off, or if you run into a few obstacles here and there (as is expected!), it will help to visualize yourself reaching your ultimate goal. Visualizing it makes it feel real and motivates you to continue to work hard to make it happen.

Imagine yourself working in your dream job. What does the environment look like? What are you wearing?

Or picture yourself holding your graduation diploma in your hands or proudly framing it and hanging it on a wall.

It’s All About Attitude

If you’re practicing the right attitude, you can go far. Believing in yourself, while it sounds fluffy, is important for priming your brain for success. You’ve probably realized that if you don’t believe that you can accomplish something, you simply won’t. How can you expect to achieve great things if you don’t believe in yourself?

A positive attitude where you envision yourself as strong and capable is critical to your success. Think about how you felt when you first set your New Year’s goal. Chances are that you had an excellent attitude, so try to maintain that mindset throughout your journey.

Wrapping It Up

Once you’ve determined a realistic goal and divided it up into short, achievable tasks, you’ve set the stage for a brighter end result. Make your New Year’s resolution with confidence that this year is going to be your most successful one yet!

Looking to upgrade your skills this year? Contact us to get started!