If you’re going to set goals for the new year, what’s the best way to go about it?
In an April 14, 2017, article for Entrepreneur.com, Jeffrey Hayzlett, author of “Think Big, Act Bigger: The Rewards of Being Relentless,” shares five golden rules for goal setting:
1. Set goals that motivate you.
It seems obvious, but if the goal isn’t important to you, you won’t put in the work to make it happen. Also, break down your goals to your most important three to five. Any more than that can feel overwhelming, he writes. Pick your highest priorities and write down why they’re valuable to you.
2. Set “SMART” goals.
This acronym stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound.
3. Write down your goals.
You don’t have to look at them every day, but you should keep them someplace where you are reminded of where you want to go, Hayzlett says. Write them in active voice, saying “I will” instead of “I would like to.”
4. Put a plan in action.
You can’t get from A to Z without all the letters in between. Write down all the individual steps you need to take to execute your plan.
5. Work the plan.
“It’s tempting to keep changing your mind or to draw new plans when things go awry, but variables aren’t an excuse not to stick to the plan,” Hayzlett writes. “Trust your plan, work the plan, be
flexible when handling vari-
ables, and you’ll get there.”
