Can you believe it's 2024 already? Seems like just yesterday I was trying to figure out how to set the clock on all my gadgets and appliances to the new year. Now here I am, filled with optimism and eagerness at the chance to better myself.
The new year always gets me pumped up to make major changes and improvements. I want to work on becoming healthier, advancing my career, strengthening relationships—basically living my best life! But somehow my enthusiasm starts to fizzle out by mid-January when I realize my resolutions are vague, unrealistic or not meaningful enough to sustain motivation. Not this year! It’s time to break the cycle of failed resolutions. I’m going to share the personal goal setting techniques I’m using so you can apply them too. With thoughtfully crafted, values-based resolutions and commitment strategies, we’ll make progress well into 2024 and beyond. Philippians 3:13-14 “13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Taking Stock of My Inner Self Instead of jumping straight into resolutions, I’m starting by looking inward first. I find the new year kicks off such an energizing fresh start, it’s easy to run ahead before I know which direction I truly want to go. Here are some ways I’m getting clarity: Connecting Goals to Core Values What matters most in life? For me, it’s growth, creativity, community and work-life balance. My resolutions need to tie directly to advancing these values so I stay dedicated. I listed my top 5 values and will reference them as I set goals. For example, last year I set a resolution to take watercolor classes to expand my artistic horizons. While fun, I abandoned them because they didn’t strongly connect back to my core pillars. This time, I’ll choose hobbies supporting self-expression and personal fulfillment. Conducting a Self Assessment I also did an honest inventory of my strengths and areas for improvement across major areas – health, career, finances, relationships, personal growth, etc. I accepted the brutal facts of where I struggled instead of rationalizing them away. I leveraged higher self-awareness from my assessment to set realistic goals playing to my strengths but also gradually improving weaknesses. If I set the bar too high out of the gate because I’m feeling overzealous, I’m bound to quit when I stumble. Checking if My Basic Needs are Met Since my goals involve elevated self-actualization, I first want to make sure foundational needs are covered. Using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs model, I assessed nutrition, rest, health, community connections, and housing to confirm my bases are covered. No amount of goal setting will work if I’m deficient on fundamental well-being. For example, my work-life balance suffered last year from poor boundaries and not utilizing vacation days. Burnout became a threat to achieving goals across all areas. I’m still working on improvements here but feel more equipped to take it on now. Crafting Personalized Targets for Growth Armed with better self-understanding, it was time to define aspirational yet realistic resolutions to become future best self. Here’s my strategy: Envisioning My Best Future Self I got detailed describing qualities of my best life across areas in 5 years. Then I stretched to 10. I pictured ideal health, positive daily habits, supportive relationships, career impact, financial freedom, hobbies and more. This gave me clarity for goal setting direction. I built on previous visions but also evolved them based on this year’s assessment. For example, previously I defined career success mainly by leadership titles achieved. With more life experience, I now focus on mentoring and helping others succeed. My goals shifted accordingly. Making Specific, Measurable Plans For each dimension of my vision, I broke things down into smaller milestones using S.M.A.R.T goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. No giant, sweeping changes overnight! My health vision involves having more energy, less stress and practicing preventative care. So “get healthier” became goals like “sleep 7 hours nightly by Q2” and “reduce candy to 1x weekly by February.” Scheduling in Reflection Past resolutions lacked lasting power because I made them on a high note then got distracted by life. This time, I’m building in reminder systems for regular check-ins on what’s working, what I’ve learned and possible mid-course adjustments. I added quarterly reflection sessions to my calendar. I also keep previous self-assessments and vision boards nearby for continued motivation. They help me course correct goals based on personal evolution while still moving forward. Maintaining Momentum Past January I’m feeling great about my resolutions but know the real test comes in a few months when motivation lags. Here are some ways I plan to go the distance all year long: Practicing Small Wins By breaking large goals down into gradual achievements, I build confidence through bite-sized wins. Fighting off procrastination and despair is easier when progress feels within reach. For example, I split my goal to run a local 5K race into training steps like completing a mile without walking by March then two miles by May. Consistent reinforcement propels me towards eventually running the full 3 miles. Finding Accountability Partners I told close friends about my resolutions and found one interested in a shared goal to be accountability partners. We set bi-weekly check-ins to report on milestones, troubleshoot roadblocks and cheer progress. Public commitment and peer support increases follow through. It pushes me when I’m feeling unmotivated but also gives me someone to celebrate small markers of success. We remind each other of our future best selves. Anticipating and Problem-Solving Roadblocks It’s unlikely my path this year will be obstacle-free. I spent time envisioning possible distractions, setbacks and competing priorities that could sabotage progress. For each, I brainstormed potential solutions so I already have strategies to navigate them. For example, an illness derailed my exercise routine last year because I didn’t have a back-up workout plan. Now I identified low-impact activity options I can do at home until I recover to stay on track. Using Rewards and Self-Compassion I created a reward system for milestone goal achievement, mostly small treats to celebrate progress and reenergize motivation. But I also planned rituals of self-care for times when I inevitably slip up. Beating myself up would just sustain a cycle of frustration. Instead, I’ll tap into self-compassion to renew commitment. I’ll remind myself of how far I’ve come, focus on insights gained and believe I can get back on course. Our journeys aren’t linear but over time, we accomplish incredible things. Conclusion I don’t know about you but I’m feeling fired up, hopeful and prepared to stick to meaningful goals well beyond January. With clear resolutions aligned to my values and a plan to work through hurdles, I’m excited to continually become my best self this year. I hope you feel equipped to define and achieve your own goals too. We all deserve to grow into our personal visions. Now, let’s get after it! I offer counseling and clergy services. For more information, visit https://www.pastorservonteephriam.com/. For weekly podcasts and livestreams, catch me on https://www.therealephriampodastshow.com/.
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AuthorPastor Servonte L. Ephriam, a native of Los Angeles, California, is a dedicated professional with a passion for helping others. With a wide range of certifications and credentials, Servonte has established himself as a trusted resource in various areas of counseling and support services. Overall, Pastor Servonte L. Ephriam's diverse range of qualifications and experience make him a valuable asset in the field of counseling and support services. His compassionate approach and dedication to helping others make him a trusted confidant and advocate for those seeking guidance and healing. Archives
June 2024
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