You are probably thinking more about Christmas and a break over the festive period to recharge. It’s a good time to review 2019 and to plan ahead. Do some fuzzy thinking. Wonder ‘why’ and ‘what if?’  

We know that goal setting is difficult, but necessary to make a change or even a start on change. Goals, of course need to be specific, but let’s put that to one side and start with some fuzzy thinking – some might say dreaming, but call it whatever you want – just start. Fuzzy thinking is not the same as a goal; you just need to have a feeling for the place you want to be in. It’s not precise or defined. It’s a sense of how you want things to be rather than an exact outcome.

Once you have that feeling, then you can start shaping it up to create a goal. Ask yourself some questions – Why would it be good to have made the change? What will I be feeling when I am ‘there’? What might I need to do differently to get me to ‘there’? It’s also OK not to know all the answers, you are just in fuzzy thinking mode – spend some time there and settle on one or two things you want to feel or do differently. No need to overload yourself with too many things at once. Start small.

Next, probe a little more into the ‘how do I get from here to ‘there’? It may be small changes over a longer period or one big change or a combination of things that need to happen. List out as many things as you can think of in terms of actions to take. Put them all down, then draw a line through the ones that you just can’t face, know you are never going to sustain or frankly; just hate.

So you should be left with a list of things to undertake that are palatable to you and that energise you into taking action.

Now comes a real challenge; can you write it in a SMART format? Specific, Measurable, Attractive, Realistic and Time framed? (I can hear you say, “A doesn’t stand for that, it is usually for Achievable or Agreed” – hey, make it work for you – If you want one of those words then use it!)

An example; I want to feel fit and enjoy an active lifestyle (my fuzzy thinking) so I have worked my list and I think I can live by: I will exercise in some format three times a week and eat a balanced diet, so that by the mid point of 2020 I will be ready for a winter ski holiday. I will feel fit and my ski pants won’t be ridiculously tight! Do you think that is SMART enough?

One Day Training can work with groups of employees to think and plan their year’s goals – we can help with time management too. Email us for more information carol@onedaytraining.co.nz