It’s that time of year again! As 2023 approaches, many of us are looking back on the past year and setting New Year’s resolutions. But how do you ensure your goals are realistic and achievable? Here are some tips on creating a plan for realistic resolutions.
How to Set Realistic Resolutions and Achieve Them
1. Start Small and Specific
When setting goals, it’s important to focus on the small steps to help you reach your end goal. For example, if you want to advance in your career by taking an online course or certification program, start by breaking down the steps necessary to achieve that goal into smaller chunks. Set short-term goals such as signing up for a course or finding the right program that fits your lifestyle and budget. This can help make the process less overwhelming while still helping you stay motivated toward achieving your long-term goal. Plus, once you complete those smaller goals, it will give you a sense of accomplishment!
2. Be Realistic
It’s important to be realistic when setting goals. Achieving success takes hard work and dedication, so don’t expect immediate results from changes in your career path. It may take several months before you begin seeing results. This is why setting smaller milestones can help you stay motivated. Additionally, it’s important not to put too much pressure on yourself – plenty of resources are available if you need help along the way!
3. Set SMART Goals
The most successful resolutions are those that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based (SMART). When you set a goal that fits these criteria—such as “I want to enroll in an online coding course by the end of April”—you have something concrete and tangible to work towards throughout the year. This also helps define expectations, so you don’t overwork yourself or feel overwhelmed when you don’t meet unrealistic expectations.
4. Create an Action Plan to Meet Realistic Resolutions
Creating an action plan also helps to ensure that your goals are attainable. Make a list of all the steps needed to achieve each goal—from research and preparation to implementation and completion—and determine what needs to be done first and when it needs to be done for you to reach the end goal successfully. This will help keep you organized and give you something measurable to work towards each day or week. It also allows you to track progress easier. Thus, if something isn’t working correctly, you can make adjustments quickly before it becomes too overwhelming or frustrating.
5. Surround Yourself With Supportive People
The people around us greatly impact our ability to reach our goals – so it’s important to surround yourself with those who are encouraging and supportive of your endeavors! Connect with like-minded professionals who can guide and advise you throughout your journey toward achieving success in 2023. This support system can also provide motivation when things feel uncertain or overwhelming – so don’t underestimate its importance!
6. Identify & Overcome Obstacles When Woking Toward Realistic Resolutions
Though it may seem simple enough at first glance, working toward any goal can come with expected and unexpected challenges. Having an idea beforehand about potential obstacles can help prepare for anything that may come up along the way—like having a backup plan if something doesn’t go as planned. That said, not all obstacles are foreseeable! If a challenge presents itself unexpectedly, identify any resources available that may help overcome them (such as talking through stressors with friends/family/mentors).
7. Be Positive
Don’t let negative thoughts derail your progress! Stay focused on what makes your resolutions challenging yet attainable—not impossible—and celebrate even the smallest wins. Self-talk can often be our worst enemy when we don’t meet our high expectations; rather than berating yourself when things don’t go as planned, take time to recognize how far you’ve come and give yourself credit for taking steps forward every day!
Application of These Tips on Various Goal Types
Continuing Education or Training for a Career Path Change
Are you looking to transition to a new career path? The start of the New Year is an ideal time to explore what educational opportunities may be available for you. Before you jump into the deep end, it’s important to research and find out what credentials are required for the job you want. Once you have identified the necessary qualifications, create a timeline for yourself so that you can realistically achieve them. You should also consider what resources may be available to help with tuition or fees associated with training or continuing education. This could include grants, scholarships, or employer-sponsored programs.
Fitness and Well-Being Goals
Creating healthy, realistic resolutions is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions! Whether it’s joining a gym, training for a race, or simply eating healthier meals throughout the week – these goals can improve your physical and mental health. It is important to break down larger fitness goals into smaller, manageable steps so that they are easier to track and maintain over time. It can also be helpful to enlist support from friends or family members who have similar goals. That way, you can hold each other accountable and reach your goals together!
Personal Development Goals
Setting personal development goals allows us to stay motivated throughout our career journeys. Consider taking on additional responsibilities at work, learning new skills through online courses or workshops, or even volunteering in your community. These activities will help further your professional development and give you a sense of purpose when helping others in need! When setting personal development goals, make sure they align with your interests and values so that they are meaningful and enjoyable for you.
Learn More About Setting Realistic Resolutions
As we move into 2023, now is a great time to start thinking about ways we can make improvements in our lives and careers. Setting realistic goals is key; breaking them down into smaller chunks can make them more achievable while still helping us stay focused on our long-term ambitions. Additionally, surrounding ourselves with supportive people who understand what we’re trying to achieve will help us stay motivated toward success! Good luck in 2023!
For those seeking additional guidance on achieving their career-related New Year’s resolutions, Southern Careers Institute is here to help – we offer training on the skills needed to pursue a new career through our programs and personalized career advice services – contact us today to get started or to seek more information about the programs offered at SCI’s campuses.
This article was published on: 12/28/22 1:11 PM
* SCI does not guarantee employment or a starting salary upon graduation, completion, or withdrawal from SCI. As an accredited post-secondary institution, SCI has various federal financial assistance programs available for students who qualify and are enrolled in SCI programs. This does not apply to seminar students.
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