Some Things to Consider About Your New Goal
Goal. Resolutions. The New Year is here.
If you’re on social media then I’m sure you’ve seen posts encouraging people to make resolutions or set goal for 2016. I’ve seen many posts and even advertisements stating, “A new year, a new you” or a something with a similar sentiment. There are other posts encouraging us all to outline our goals, setting benchmarks with clear action plans. Let’s not forget about the posts urging individuals to pick a word for 2016 that is indicative of the change we wish to see in our lives.
If you, like most of those in the world today, want 2016 to be a better year, most of us start by changing ourselves, but there are so many approaches and so much to take in. Where do you begin? Is there a right and wrong way to improve yourself? How do you narrow it down to one word, one resolution, or one goal?
Well, here are a few tips to get you started on the path to self-improvement. Many resolutions fall by the wayside by February. I encourage you to try something different this year.
A “New” You Isn’t Necessary
There’s a lot to be said for unlocking the true you, to delving into your inner strengths and bringing these strengths to the surface. Not only will working toward your strengths come more naturally, but it will also be more fulfilling. More fulfilling usually means longer-lasting as well. It’s easier to stick with something that makes us feel whole.
Trying to create a “new you” can mean ignoring all of the wonderful strengths that make you so uniquely you. It’s like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
Imagine for a moment that everything you want for yourself, including that life that you’ve been waiting to start living, can be yours. Now imagine that none of this requires making yourself over into someone else, but rather peeling back some layers to uncover your natural strengths, talent, and instinctual wisdom.
Well, stop imagining and start believing that this is possible for you because it is.
Make a list of what you love to do. Include all the things you enjoy, even if it’s something you think might be insignificant. Check for similarities among these things. For example, if you love heading the annual bake sale to benefit a nonprofit organization AND you love being the first phone call your friends make during a crisis, then one of your strengths may be serving others.
Discovering your strengths is just the first step, but it is such an important one. Give it some thought and time.
Next up, your mindset.
Work on Your Mindset
Goals are great. Almost everyone has a goal, even if it hasn’t been articulated. A lot of the goals we make are missing a key component, though. We tend to forget to include our why.
What do you mean, Omozua?
For example:
Your goal for 2016 is to lose 5 kg. Why do you want to lose 5 kg?
Because I’m fat, Omozua.
Really? Are you fat or is that your perception of yourself? If that is your personal perception, then your why isn’t because you’re fat. Your why is because you don’t like the way you look or feel about yourself with an extra 5 kg.
Why does it matter what my reason is for losing weight?
Because your real goal may need to be something completely different than losing weight. What if it would be more beneficial for you to work on learning to love yourself no matter what the scale says? What if working on self-love and empowerment would lead to weight loss, but without the shame and the guilt and the self-recriminations? What if working on unlocking your strengths will finally get you out of that rut you’ve been in that led to the weight gain in the first place?
What Does It All Mean?
If you know you need to make a change, but you’re not sure where to begin, let me urge you to begin in reflection. Don’t jump straight to setting a goal. If you did set a goal already, no worries; start exploring why you chose that goal in particular.
Looking for more? Stay tuned for the next post which includes steps to begin the journey to unlocking your inner purpose. Need something right now? Take a look at my guide to taking action, a free gift for you when you sign up to receive the latest news and posts from Coaching with Omozua. Check the right hand side of the screen for the sign-up box.
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