Setting Resolutions...better yet, Goals for the New Year

Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success. ~Stephen A. Brennan

It is a new year and a chance to start over again. It is during this time that many people try to make "New Years Resolutions" only to realize that a month into the new year that the same old habits are still prevalent. Whether it is exercising, controlling spending or reducing debt, many of us find that we have good intentions when we start, however it is hard to stay consistent with our intentions.

At the beginning of 2008, I decided to set goals to improve my life (financially, physically and other ways). After spending about a week figuring out some of the things I wanted to accomplish, I decided to write them down. Now in retrospect, coming into this new year, I have looked at my previously written goals and feel a great sense of accomplishment due to the fact that I have completed most of the goals that I set for 2008.

During a recent conversation with my sister, I let her know of my sense of accomplishment due to the status of my goals for 2008. We discussed the idea of writing down these goals and she agreed 100% that writing down goals for the new year was the way to go. I know that sounds amazingly easy, however, there was a very meticulous procedure that was followed in order to ensure success in obtaining these goals. Below is the procedure followed:

1. Write the goals down.
• Writing down your goals helps you remember what exactly you want to accomplish.
• It allows for accountability of the goals.
  
2. Write a tangible metric to measure success on obtaining goal.
• How do you know when your goal is reached?
• Write down an expected outcome to measure the expected results once the goals has been met.
  
3. Give yourself a deadline.
• Just writing down goals without any deadline can make that goal last forever.
  
4. Write possible steps to obtain your goals.
• Jotting down some typical first steps for your goal can provide an immediate action plan to start on your goal.
  
5. Share your goals with a friend for accountability.
• Sharing your goals with a friend can help you facilitate discussions to double check that proper progress is being made on the goal.
• Your friends can offer a different perspective on obtaining your goals.
  
6. Check your goals monthly to note the type of progress being made.
• Always check your progress monthly to make sure obtaining your goal is on track to meet the deadline.
7. Remember, "It is Easy as P.I.E."
• Plan, Implement and Evaluate.

*Extra: Choose a theme for yourself that represents your ideas/goals for 2009* (My Theme: "No Excuses")

Creating goals can help you finally reach your financial situation that you have been wanting to achieve in previous years. In addition to your personal finances, settings goals can help with obtaining a more fulfilling life with accomplishing things that you set your mind to.

When discussing the previous year, a lot of my close friends looked back at 2008 and are very happy that it is over. In order to prevent experiencing the same feelings for year 2009, we have made sure to set appropriate goals, share them and go about the proper steps to accomplish them.

What are some of the recommendations that you have for setting goals? What other recommendations do you have to improve your life for 2009? Leave them in the comments below.

Stay disciplined!