2020 was a different year (I’m being nice), and with that comes a lot of thoughts on setting goals and resolutions in 2021.
I’m definitely someone who has always set goals in order to better myself and achieve new things. Many I don’t think I’d ever do without the accountability of goals and an action plan. Like this past year, I set a goal around reading 52 books for the year. I’d never done that before. I’d never even come close. Because I’d set the goal and determined how I’d get it done, I established a new reading habit. Mark my words, I’d NEVER have done it.
However, many goals I set in 2020 were out of reach. Achieving them seemed outside my control. Or if not out of my control, they were simply too much to take on mentally and emotionally considering everything that was going on. I had new things to think about and worry about. Including my sanity.
So, as we enter a new year, I’ve had to think about how I’ll approach goals. I’m approaching it in slightly different ways that are honestly (in my opinion) good to think about for goal-setting any year. So, here’s where I’m at with goals in 2021:
1. I’m Thinking More About What I Need
Some of us are coming out of 2020 feeling like they don’t need the pressure of goals or certain types of goals. And some are walking out feeling like they need big goals to get them back to a better place. It totally depends on what’s going on in your life and where you’re at. For me, I need the structure of goals to feel like change is possible. And I’m creating goals around those changes that will make me feel hopeful, less anxious and happier. Everyone is different — the key is listening to what you need right now and following your instincts.
2. I’m Taking Stock of My Capacity
I’ve had to reassess my priorities this year as so many of us have had to do. My kids are only in school two days a week at this point. There’s less time and emotional energy to spend on things — so the goals I pursue have to be at the top of my list of what I want to accomplish. Other things can wait. In the past, if it was something I wanted to do, I would have found a way to get it done. Not this year. I’m only focusing on the goals that matter most or bring me joy.
3. I’m Focused on the Journey More than the Result
I’m a goal-setter who likes to work toward a measurable result. (Can you tell I come from the corporate world? S.M.A.R.T. goals, ya’ll!) While some of my goals might have numbers or timing associated to them, others won’t. Progress over perfection all the way this year. For me, it’s more about building new habits than collecting achievements. I do feel like so much is in my control and don’t want to shy away from going after what I want or need, even if the results look different.
4. I’m Much More Flexible
I’m going to set some goals now that reflect where I’m at today. If we learned one thing in 2020, it’s that everything could turn on its head tomorrow. Will I still hold myself accountable to today’s goals if life changes? Absolutely not.
5. I’m Asking for Help
There’s a reason goal-setting is such a hot topic right now — with everything that’s going on, it feels more complicated than ever. As someone who wants to achieve goals but also wants to take it easy on herself, I’m asking my friend Kate Hammer to help me with personal goal-setting this year. I think Kate’s expertise will really help me be more holistic in determining what I want and how I’ll get it. I am so excited and will be sure to report back on the process!
So where are you at this year? Are you setting goals or no?
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