December is often a frantic month. Not only with pressure of Christmas but also because we want to end the year on a high. We want to have achieved our goals and all that we set out to do – whether personal or/ and business. We set out to rush through any goals and tasks in the last few weeks so we can add another tick to the final list of the year.

But don’t rush to achieve them just for the sake of a tick!

December is a good time of year to reflect on our previous goal setting, achievements and our actions. It is a time to look back over the previous months to see what we have done well and what we may have done better. With the time off for the festive period, it gives us a reason to pause and take stock.

This is important to do before the new year rolls in and you set another list of goals, because if you don’t review, you may not succeed on your next set of goals.

Here’s a short exercise to do before the end of the year to help with goal setting for the next year:

  1. List your achievements from the year. What are you most proud of? How did you celebrate your wins? Did you actually celebrate them? This is really important to do – no matter now small they might be.
  2. What have your challenges been and how have you dealt with them? Be honest with yourself and note how the challenges made you feel. It might highlight the need for some personal development to help you manage further challenges.
  3. Where did you fail? Again, be honest with yourself! Look at the areas you may have failed so that you can understand the reasons and learn from them. There is no such thing as failure – they are lessons for the future.
  4. What could you have done better? It could be planning, time management, rewarding and recognising your team for their achievements
  5. What do you need to stop doing next year?  You will have some bad habits that need to be addressed and replaced with new positive habits.
  6. What do you need to start doing? It could be as little as starting your day 20 minutes earlier, exercising more, delegating task or praising your team more to make them feel valued and to play above the line.
  7. Lastly, what goals will you carry forward to the following year and how will you make sure you succeed? What will you do differently?

Take time to work through the questions and be honest with your answers. With your new goals, write them down clearly and tell someone about them – whether a colleague or family member, it will help to make the commitment to the goals.

And finally, make sure you have a strong enough WHY behind the goal. The stronger you’re why – whether a positive or negative, you are more likely to succeed.

If you would like help with goal setting, get in touch and make the commitment to achieving your New Year Resolutions and goals.