hat if I told you that every year can be better than the last? That is this year can be better than last year. And next year can be better than this year. And on and on.
The beginning of each year is an exciting time where everything feels full of possibility, but as the year goes on, this excitement often fades and the drive to achieve all your goals can fall by the wayside as well. To make sure your 2019 sees you achieve your big goals, you need to make your plan realistic and achievable.
This year was better than last year for me. And next year will be even better. You can have this, too.
You can create a year that you remember for the rest of your life. You don’t have to squander another year. Life doesn’t have to be so hard. You don’t have to be in the same place next year. You can take advantage of the time you have now and make next year your best year yet.
I’m not suggesting you can control the outcome of your year. Things happen all the time in life that you can’t control. But you can control what you make those things mean.
Know Why
Being committed to a plan is great but you need to get your foundations right first. Knowing why you’re working towards what you’re working towards is essential. It will guide you in the goal-setting process and keep you going when it all feels too hard (and at times it will!). So before you do anything, make sure you understand you’re ‘why’ first.
Write down big visions for your life
Write down big visions you have for your life. You need to have a vision of where you want to go. Without that future-focused intention, you will wander and end up somewhere you never intended to be.
Think about your life from a very high level, and think about how you want to be remembered. Make a list of visions you want in each of the 8 life categories. Your list can include anything you want. This is a list of what you want to do, so make sure it reflects your deepest desires.
Set Goals
The third step is to set goals. Goals are the road map that move you toward you vision in bite size pieces. To set goals, use the SMART method. Under this method, goals should be:
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable
R – Relevant
T – Timely
This means when you create goals, they should be narrow, in writing, achievable, related to your vision, and have a deadline. Write your goals down. Give them a deadline. Hold yourself accountable. Make sure they’re realistic.
Create Action Steps
For every goal, create actionable steps to get there. Your action steps are all about breaking each goal down into small, action-oriented mini steps. Think of these steps like the ‘how’ of achieving your goal.
Form Good Habits
Creating an achievable year plan is all about forming good habits. Set some solid habits at the start of the year and make a plan to stick to it. A habit might be writing a daily to-do list, reviewing your goals weekly, or daily exercise. Consider what habits will help you reach your goals and schedule them in!
Never Miss Twice
In the midst of your amazing year plan life happens, and sometimes it gets in the way. You’re bound to have days during the year when you just can’t follow through on your goals. By employing the mindset of ‘never miss twice’ you’ll ensure that even when you do have an off day, you are back on track the very next day working toward your goals.
Set up systems to implement your Best Year
Once you’ve reflected on last year and you have your visions, your goals, and your why, you need to set up systems to implement your dream you so you can actually have your best year ever. This is the linchpin of making it possible for you to plan your dream year and make it your best year ever.
A Final Note
You absolutely can make next year your best year ever. Follow the steps above, which again are…
Reflect on last year by reviewing your calendar. Write down big visions for each area of your life. Set goals in the areas you want to work on in the next year. Find particular your why. Set up supportive systems where you use your calendar to create a plan with deadlines.
If you do this every year, you will plan your dream year and execute it, changing the course of your life forever. It doesn’t mean things won’t happen or change. It just means you’re in control of how you react and how you move forward in spite of those things.
You can create your dream year.
(Writer is Chairman, Green Club, Manikganj)
