My Not-So-Secret Goal Setting Routine

Why do we set New Year’s resolutions every year? Why do we all decide to lose weight, pay off our debt, and decide that the new year is going to be different than the last?

The reason is that it is our chance to have a clean slate. It is the same when people say they will start Monday or even tomorrow. Monday is a new start to a week and tomorrow is the start of a new day.

We have more hope at the beginning of a new start. When in reality we can start a new habit or set a new goal whenever we would like, but that hope gives us the motivation to turn a new leaf.

When my husband and I decided to get out of debt, we learned to use this motivation in our favor, and you too can achieve the goals you dream of! Here’s how…

#1 Find Your Baseline

First, take a look at the past year to see what worked and what didn’t work. This then creates the baseline of where to start for this year. Often, we forget what the past year has brought us, but that past year holds many insights for you to reflect on.  We don’t want to repeat past mistakes and we ought to capitalize on the things that worked.

#2 What’s important to you?

I personally like to create a vision board that helps me stay focused and motivated. This may look like putting a picture of your dream home, that vacation, or a picture of your family on vacation on a board for you to see regularly. The board could include words that make you smile, scenery, a friendly face, or pictures that symbolize what you want to embody for the New Year. This vision board serves as a way to get you excited, focused on hard days, and will help you keep moving forward. Whatever you envision your life being for the next 12 months, put it on your board. 

#3 Create Realistic Goals

The next thing is to make realistic goals. There are two parts to good goal setting.

First, avoid setting 10 goals! Studies have shown having between 1-3 goals is best. This not only keeps it simple, but it frees you up to stay gazelle intense. Whoever said you can’t create new goals in June or July? No one!  We just act like that is the case.

The second part of creating realistic goals is to be specific. If your goal is to pay off $90,000 of debt, ask yourself based on my current expenses, my income, and budget am I able to realistically reach this goal by December?

If not, that’s okay! Either, adjust your timeframe or your financial goal. So your goal may end up looking like…

I will pay $30,000 of my debt by December 31, 2022. It will include the following debts…

#4 Let Go of The All-or-Nothing Expectation

The biggest eye-opener was when we let go of this expectation of all-or-nothing. Yes, you will need to adjust your budget here and there. Yes, you may have an unexpected emergency come up, but the important part is that you assess and adjust your action plan. Staying consistent will be the determining factor of whether you achieve your goal or not.

You too can achieve your goal of paying off your student loans, buying your first home, or retiring with ease! All it takes is one step to start the process. If you are ready to learn how to use this New Year motivation in your favor, schedule a free Goal Getter Session with me!

In this call we will:

• Identify your top 2022 financial goal

• Uncover what is in the way of success

• Determine your 1st step to making it happen.

I am excited to see you succeed in this New Year! Check out my calendar here to find time to meet.

Ericka Young