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Whether you’re heading away or staying at home this summer, hopefully you’ll manage to switch into low gear and take a break from the usual routines.
Holiday time is often the perfect opportunity to do some thinking, and goal-setting is a wonderful way to focus ourselves for the coming year.
While the idea of setting them might seem daunting, it needn’t be.
The key is to start small – think of areas in your life you’d like to focus on, then come up with some achievable, realistic targets to work towards.
Experts have found that people who set goals are more likely to be confident and successful in their lives.
Write your goals down
Goals propel you forward. Writing down something to aim for gives you motivation and drive.
Imagine the satisfaction when you achieve that goal and are able to move on to the next one.
Setting goals can refine your focus
The act of thinking about and writing down your goals often helps you to see things more clearly and be more focused.
You might think you want more money – but actually, what you really want is a change of direction or a new career.
You might think you want to feel more positive – but what you really need is to discover a new hobby or passion.
You might want to lose weight – but it’s increasing your physical activity that needs to happen first.
Goal-setting allows you to be more focused in the way you live your life.
Goal setting is for the whole family
It’s never too early to introduce the idea of goal-setting for children.
Spend some time these holidays talking to your kids about what they’d like to achieve in 2020 and ways that will help them get there.
Make it fun – write the goals on big pieces of card and hang them on their bedroom walls.
Stickers can be used for incentives and the whole family can celebrate with each achievement.
Start with small steps
It’s easy to feel discouraged when you’re staring at a massive, seemingly insurmountable mountain.
But clever goal-setting can help break larger, intimidating tasks into smaller, more achievable stepping stones.
Research has shown that hitting smaller milestones provides real motivation and greater overall happiness.
Be bold with your goals
Goals help you get the most out of life.
To live a full and satisfying existence, you have to know what you want.
Be bold and put pen to paper. Make a plan and stick to it.
