As you set your intentions for 2017, take the time to look back and review what worked for you in 2016. This applies to every aspect of your life – career, home, relationships, business, faith, etc. Resolve to incorporate more of what worked into your life and release everything or person that hindered your progress.
Enter into a contract with yourself in 2017. The purpose of a good contract is essentially to meet and manage expectations, thus avoiding disappointments. Having a contract requires you to think through what you are agreeing to. Rather than the usual lists we come up with, approach your goals for 2017 differently. It should include what you will and will not do. Creating sound goals are critical so applying the famous S.M.A.R.T. goal principles to this exercise is very helpful.
Specific: This is where you answer the “What, Why & How”. Your chance of complying with your contract is greater if you have a specific goal. State exactly why and how you are going to go about reaching your goal.
Measurable: Ensure that you have a system for measuring your goals. This helps you stay on track and it’s a huge ego boost to encourage you along the way. Try and build in short term and long term measurement standards.
Achievable/Attainable: If you have the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities needed to achieve your goal, then it’s likely to be attainable. Writing your goals down on paper does something great to your psyche. You begin to feel worthy of these goals and somehow develop traits that allow you to meet them. If your goal is to acquire a new skill, noting this down with specificity spurs you on to do everything in your power to make it happen.
what is realistic or tangible for you. It will be unrealistic for me to decide that I want to be a pilot by the end of 2017, but it may not be for you. Make sure that you have the capacity, i.e. you are willing and able to achieve your goal. An unrealistic goal is a recipe for failure.
Timely: It’s essential that there’s a time frame to reaching your goal. Although it’s a one year contract, some of your goals can be accomplished in less time. Incorporating a timeline creates a sense of urgency that spurs you to speed up making your vision a reality.
Following these principles will help improve your chances of achieving all the goals, visions and resolutions you have for 2017. Putting them in writing solidifies your commitment and transforms you from a dreamer to a doer. In the words of a famous writer “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. … The moment one definitely commits oneself, … providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now”. – Goethe
How you enter the New Year sets the tone for the rest of the year. So, get excited about drafting the contract between you and 2017!! It is bound to be the most important contract you have ever executed. Your goal may require a small step or a giant leap. It doesn’t matter. I wish you the courage to take the necessary steps required to make your dream or vision a reality. Have a magnificent year!
Comment: nice 1
He that desire to acquire what he require , never retire but always refire hence determination is the key .