Be realistic to achieve your new year goals. Take pride in your plans, says Jai Madaan
There is nothing unusual about looking back at the year we’ve had around this time and feeling a sense of fulfillment or dissatisfaction. If we are happy with the way events unfolded, we tend to have some encouragement and a reason to continue into the new year with good spirits but on the other hand, if we are dejected, we often set to make changes in life. Either way, new years are for new beginnings and we are always ambitious to get them off to a good start. Day dreaming and wishing about the way we want things to go is a wonderful pastime and although many of us can spend hours making plans for the future, sadly only a few will take the next steps required to achieve their dreams. Here are a few things we can do to ensure that we keep our goals on track for 2015.
Pen down ideas
Put it somewhere you can see it every day. This should serve as a reminder for you to work towards getting it (even if only a little bit) each day.
let’s talk
Put it out there. If you want it, tell people. Being shy about your goals or keeping it a secret is not helpful and besides, perhaps you’ll find someone that has some good tips for you or just some beneficial encouragement.
Do your research
Make sure you know as much as possible about whatever it is you’re working for. Ignorance is not bliss and it is always best to be fully prepared with a good understanding of where you want to go and what getting there entails.
Ask questions
Doubts are healthy. Sometimes people fear looking silly by asking a question other people might think of as obvious but the only thing that’s worse than looking silly for asking a question, is not asking it at all.
Set time
Take it seriously. Time and effort are the staple requirements for getting anywhere, so even if it’s working through a lunch break or getting up early and staying up an hour later than usual, find those few precious extra hours that will make the difference.
Be self-sufficient
Support always helps, but being dependent on someone will harm your goals in the long run. You shouldn’t have someone else to put the blame on for any goal-related shortcomings and achievements are so much more meaningful when you know they are a result of your hard work and dedication. You should be responsible for any drawbacks and you should be the sole receiver of credit for your success.
Be realistic
You probably won’t change the world in a single day, but a single effort, each day, will make a difference.
Set deadlines
Having completion dates to work towards will motivate you to be on track and persevere.
listen to criticism
Be open minded and accept that other people have different opinions. After hearing what they have to say, you will either be able to adapt your goal with some new perspective or your original ideas will be reinforced.
Meet the right people
Get inside advice, ask them what they did to get where they are and make them a source of inspiration.
Risks are healthy
Erin Hanson has a wonderfully poignant quote which sums up the beauty of risks, “What if I fallIJ Oh, but my darling, what if you flyIJ” Take calculated and small risks but take them all the same.
Don’t stop working
Run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must, just never give up.
Take pride
Every achievement is an achievement, whether great or small and it is important to remember that it is all the little triumphs that make the success at the end possible. There is no accomplishment too small to be proud of. Your goal is always reachable. Be positive about your capabilities. Focus is imperative and it’s best to break it to you now — it won’t be easy. It will however, be totally worth it.