1 January 2014 is nearly here. A chance to start the new year fresh. With high hopes, top ideas and wicked dreams.

Is 2014 the year you’ll fulfil those New Year resolutions?

Or will history repeat itself?

Will you ardently promise yourself that you’ll change jobs? Lose weight? Repair a relationship? Start looking after yourself? Commit to a new hobby or sport?

Will you laugh at yourself when someone recalls you said the same in 2013? And in 2012.

Knowing what we want is an awesome beginning.

Figuring out how to get there is the next step. Nutting out what is in the way, and what you need more of, are others.

Having a motivating accountability buddy can be the key to achieving it.

There’s an acronym that’s really useful in goal setting

SMART

Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.

‘I’d like to lose weight’ lacks most of these.

‘I’d like to lose 5kg by June this year’ is getting closer.

 

Even better if you really want it.

And you know why.

I call this the HEART goal.

‘I will lose 5 kg by June to have energy to play with my kids and enjoy challenging bush walks with my partner’.

Notice the ‘I will ….’.

Not ‘I’m going to try to …..’  – as though you’ve already decided you’re not going to achieve it. Sure, the goal posts may move, and you might need to modify your goals as you go along, if circumstances or priorities change, but start strong.

Remember, you want this. This is YOUR goal. You are going to be better off once you achieve it. Healthier, wealthier, happier, stronger, fitter. This is your life, and it might be good, but hey, could it be even better?

Like to give it a go? How about three goals – by 1 February, 1 April and 1 July?

Mine are:

• I will have three new health coaching clients by 1 February
• I will be working a maximum of 40 hours per week by 1 April
• I will have launched a group coaching program by 1 July

Share your goals by leaving a reply for the added bonus of accountability – we’ll cheer you on!