Goals vs. Resolutions for 2009

As this year is quickly coming to a close, and what a wild ride we’ve had lately, I’ve been thinking about the goals I’d made for 2008. Some turned out great, more than one moved forward at a snail’s pace, several just sat there, and a couple didn’t do anything.

Some of us are perfectionists and want it all Type-A personalities, but life isn’t always like a race, or something that can be scientifically executed. That’s part of life’s mystery and depending on what side of the fence you’re contemplating it from—exciting or depressing.

To address the conundrum of not successfully accomplishing my goals, I’ve decided to make them SMARTER:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Responsible
• Targeted
• Empowering
• Revisable

Therefore, for 2009, I’m planning my goals much better, following criteria listed above.

This isn’t about resolutions, but goals. Resolutions are usually short-lived and often times, not well planned.

Making statements are easy, but planning, following through on those promises, and perhaps most importantly, gearing up for their long term success is much harder. That’s why I’m making goals instead of resolutions.

To use a metaphor—“Give a man a fish for day he can have a meal. Teach him how to fish he can eat for a lifetime.”

Objectives and goals are similar in that regard. They are lifelong commitments to and for yourself to achieve those things that will benefit you for the long term.

To that end, I have 3 broad-brushed goals that over the next month, I’ll be creating a working plan for, to achieve:

SUCCESS

Do goals only have to be about weight-loss or exercise?

Of course not—maybe you want to start a new career, learn a new language, or to write that next great American novel.

Is success guaranteed? By no means.

Here’s one example of how I’m approaching my 2009 goals:

Specific: Race Walk 1 event per month.

Measurable: This part should be easy. I’ll register and participate in one event per month. I’ll then record my progress and measure it accordingly.

Achievable: To be achievable a goal should be realistic. Currently, I’m training for my first marathon, so my schedule has already been in the works and I’ve been training for it not on a whim but on a pre-determined plan of action.

Responsible: I will find that balance between achieving my goal and the rest of my life, not allowing my goal to overtake my life. Everybody should be able to find that “special” middle ground between determination not irrationality.

Targeted: I’m constantly tweaking my exercise routine to keep pace with my training, and actively working to make the necessary improvements that are best for me to achieve my goal. For me that means that I’ve become a firm believer in building my own Minimalist Gym.

Empowering: To feel great, I want to be able to achieve my objectives. I have created an attainable and realistic goal, a plan to get from here to there, and put the onus and honor upon myself to execute my plan.

Revisable: Of course, even the best laid plans can go awry. If that should happen, of course, I’ll make the necessary revisions to my plan, remembering to be flexible.

Now that I’ve written down my SMARTER goal, I feel both excited and empowered. I know 2009 is going to be a great year.

To help keep me motivated, I’d love to share my 2009 experiences with everyone. Please feel free to join me; write down your own goal, create a plan, and follow the SMARTER strategy to accomplish them. Feel the power of putting a plan together and implementing it.

How about you? What will 2009 bring for you? Will your goals be financial, home oriented, weight loss related, fitness, or greening up your life?

Just in case you’re interested, I created a badge I plan on displaying to remind myself of my own ability to “SHINE.” Let’s spread a little sunshine in 2009, because

After all, it’s about a healthy lifestyle!

© Iowa Avenue