New Year, New You. I’m not a big fan of setting New Years’ Resolutions. Resolutions tend to fade all too quickly. I am a big fan of setting real, actionable, track-able goals. So, tweak your practice of over-promising what you’ll accomplish in the New Year to developing an actual plan to accomplish a couple of big goals. This isn’t a list- this is a plan. Spend some time on it. The more time and energy you put into this, the more specific you are, the more you’ll accomplish.

Goal Setting - Here's How:

Step 1: Out with the Old, In with the New. 

Clear your head of 2011. Reflect on what you accomplished, give yourself a pat on the back, and move on. Don’t dwell on what you didn’t do. It’s a good practice to do a year-end clean-up. Clean-up the house, files, de-clutter, de-tox.

Action: Clear your head first. Get back on track from the holiday festivities & detox your body. Go for a run. Sweat. Drink water lots of water.

Step 2: Dream It.

Take a couple of days and set aside 30 minutes each day to daydream. Envision what 2012 will hold for you. Where you’ll go, what you’ll do. Imagine it as if it’s happening. Pick a quiet spot. Focus. Really think about the next year as a whole. Where will you be 1 year from now?

Action: Block this out on your calendar. 30 minutes for two consecutive days.

Step 3: Draft It.

Draft out some preliminary ideas that came to you during your “daydreams.” A big picture view of the next year. Where will you live? How will you be financially? Where will you travel? Personal life? Business life?
(side note: I actually recommend doing this separately for your business, if you have one. Take separate time to daydream about your biz.)

Action: Sit down. Right now. Write a paragraph or two on what your next year looks like. Stream of consciousness writing- write what comes to your mind- it doesn’t have to be perfect. You aren’t being graded.

Step 4: Date It.

Start for December 2012. What do you want to have accomplished? Make a list. For each item, you’ll develop a plan of action. Assign a realistic deadline for each item. What do you need to do in November to make that goal happen? What do you need to do in June to make that goal a reality by December?

Action: Put your deadlines on the calendar. Now.

Step 5: Plan It.

What steps do you need to take to reach your deadline for each goal? Take a separate sheet of paper/word doc and develop a plan of action for each item on your list. In order to reach your goal of earning $100k in 2012, how many clients do you need to see? How will you get those clients? In order to lose 10 pounds by May 2012, how much weight do you need to lose each week starting now? How will you do that? How will you keep it off?

Action: Ask yourself high-mileage questions and give yourself mini-deadlines (and mini-rewards) along the way.

Step 6: Read It.

Post your plans somewhere you can see them + read them. Read them weekly, or daily is even better. Reminding yourself of your plan and your goal will help you stay motivated and reach your goals.

Really want to accomplish your goals? Set weekly meetings with yourself to go over your goals- it can be 10-20 minutes. Create a weekly action plan. If you want to lose 10 pounds, schedule in your workouts, plan your meals ahead of time. Take the steps necessary to make these goals a reality. As an added bonus, you’ll feel accomplished, successful, organized, and on track. A little boost in confidence goes a long way for motivation and consistence. You can even get your family/hubby/wife involved :)

What are your Goals for 2012? How do you plan to reach them and how will you stay on track?

Tara Hantske