It is the new year. If you believe in an Earth’s cycle around the sun as a barometer for goals, you likely set some type of resolution as or after you welcomed 2023.
But, can you achieve it?
Setting measurable goals
I am not a huge fan of non-measurable goals. This is true in business as it is in life.
How do you determine something is successful if you can’t measure it in some way. Measurement can be numeric or simply binary (yes/no), but you need to challenge yourself with something definitive.
For example:
Bad: I want to lose weight this year.
Good: I want to lose 10lbs by the end of the year.
Another example:
Bad: I want to learn some new skills this year.
Good: I want to get introductory level certificates for three new skills this year.
Another example:
Bad: I want to stop talking over people when they aren’t finished speaking
Good: I will create a journal with moments where I speak over someone and conversations where I learned my lesson and review at the end of the year.
Setting goals that are within your control
Also like in the business world, you should only set goals that are within your control.
For example, you can set a goal like losing 10lbs, because you are in control of that outcome. Whatever steps you take, you have control in making that goal happen, and it is attainable.
But if you, for example, make a goal to reconnect with an estranged member of your family this year, that goal is half dependent on the member of the family to welcome the connection.