December 8, 2015
In It to Win It: 3 Strategies For Achieving Your Goals in 2016
It’s that time of the year. Everyone is tallying wins and losses and gearing up for an exciting, productive new year. But even a good plan requires unspoiled inspiration, commitment, and execution.
How will you fare?
If you’ve ever been guilty of throwing in the towel when things have gotten tough or your motivation has waxed and waned, listen up.
Here are three key strategies to keep you focused and results-oriented in 2016:
1. Write goals down and schedule them. This may seem obvious, Â but you’d be surprised at how many people don’t. What may be counterintuitive is that the connection to your goals tends to shift dramatically once you’ve “localized” them. Writing them down makes them real. A goal that floats in “mind mode” lives in the realm of intentionality; you don’t actually own it. What’s more is that every goal needs a deadline. So, do yourself a favor and schedule them. You can then work backwards by allocating the necessary time and resources needed to successfully bring them into fruition.
2. Develop top-notch strategies for execution. It’s one thing to create a fancy list of high-powered goals, but quite another to get into the weeds, do the heavy lifting, and achieve them. How do you get from point A to point B? A wicked strategy, of course. What does that mean? It means you need to integrate a specific course of action  (e.g., a series of steps) that will lead to results. The higher quality the strategy, the greater likelihood of success. But know this: You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Success leaves clues. And if you discover a proven method that works, simply rinse and repeat! Still, even without a blueprint you can craft a custom strategy that works for you. With a little bit of sweat equity and some trial and error, you’ll be well on your way to closing the gap between intention and achievement.
3. Execute, observe, and tweak. After you’ve identified a list of compelling goals (written down and scheduled) and developed the way forward, you’ll need to put your strategies in motion. Execution sets successful people apart. So, work through fear and doubt, and take action. Then notice the results you are getting. Are you moving closer of farther away from your goals? If you are not gaining momentum, tweak your process until you do. Abandon methods that don’t serve you. Adopt those that do. It’s really that simple. No excuses. Just results.
If you’re excited about birthing achievement in the new year, bravo! Enthusiasm is the first, critical step. But why stop there? Go above and beyond. Expand your possibilities. Use these strategies to challenge yourself and take goal-setting and achievement to the next level.
To your success!
Karima Mariama-Arthur, Esq. is founder and CEO of WordSmithRapport, an international consulting firm specializing in professional development. Follow her on Twitter: @WSRapport, and visit her website, WordSmithRapport.com.