This is the time of year when you’ll see a plethora of posts about how to launch your New Year positively. You’ll also see countless conversations on television news about your resolutions for the coming year.

Well… here’s one more — however, I’m going to suggest you need something OTHER than New Year’s resolutions. Don’t make the same mistake as last year and set resolutions — set goals! You need New Year’s Goals.

New Year’s goals are better than New Year’s resolutions.

What’s the difference between New Year resolutions and New Year goals? You probably don’t remember what last year’s resolutions were – they were just to do something more meaningful, like lose weight or get in shape. Resolutions kind of happen by themselves.

With a resolution, you say to yourself what you want — then you try to find the discipline to achieve it. The most cited example to prove this point is to look at how crowded fitness centers are in January versus how relatively empty they are in May.

Goals are different.

Goals must be stated to get done. You have to write down your New Year’s goals. This enables you to create specific action steps toward success.

So how do we set New Year’s goals? There are many ways, but I’m going to suggest a process that has worked for me in the past.

The first step is to take inventory of where you are right now – what’s working and what isn’t? This will help you set some goals around things you want to continue doing, as well as areas you’d like to improve.

The second step is to get clear about what you want – in other words, your goals. It doesn’t mean they have to be lofty or pie-in-the-sky; instead, it’s crucial that they inspire you and make you feel good just thinking about them. You don’t say you’re going on a vacation “somewhere.” You’re specific — you’re heading to Disney World or Vegas, for example. The same is valid with your goals. You have to be precise.

The third step is to create a timeline for your goals – when do you want to achieve them? Again, this doesn’t have to be rigid, but it’s helpful to stay on track. Remember — most people do not set unrealistic goals. Instead, they set unrealistic time frames.

The fourth step is to come up with an action plan – what are the specific steps you need to take to achieve your goal? Break it down into concrete, precise steps. This will help ensure you don’t leave out any steps in between.

The fifth step is to take action – the only way to achieve New Year’s goals and resolutions alike is by taking action! Thomas Edison said, “The value of an idea lies in the using of it.”

And finally…commit yourself to your New Year’s goals. Don’t be shy about letting people know what you’re working toward. The more accountable you are, the better chance you will achieve New Year’s goals.

New Year, new you? WRONG. New Year, New GOALS.

So distinctive New Year’s goal-setters – get to it! And have a very happy New Year, and I join you in looking forward to a happy, healthy 2022!

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