The New Year presents you with a clean slate to reflect on the past and consciously plan for the future. It is however sad that for many people, it typically takes just a few weeks for the enthusiasm and vigour of the New Year’s resolution to wane.
If this has happened to you before, you can make 2022 different. How? It is important to deliberately set yourself up for success. These simple steps can help you achieve a lot before the year gets too busy:
- Do a holistic review of year 2021
To start with, you need to acknowledge and reflect on where you are coming from, where you are, and where you want to be. So, take stock of your achievements, failures, and things you should have done better in all the important areas of your life, involving family, relationships, finance, career, etc. Ensure you keep your review in a journal which you can always refer to – of course, your journal could be digital.
“The right thing to do and the hard thing to do are usually the same.” – Steve Maraboli
- Set SMART goals
Setting realistic goals is the next stop.
Having done a review of the previous year, it is best to finish the tasks you carried over and set new goals. Whether for your business or yourself, the goals must be SMART – Specific, Measurable, Affordable, Relevant, and Time-based. You also need to hold yourself responsible. Having a firm accountable partner, friend, or mentor will make it easier.
Check this LINK for some apps that can help keep track of your goals.
- Do Good Consistently
One way you can start the year on a high note is to do some good. And it does not have to cost too much. Financial technology apps like Remita have made it easier for you to meet your daily needs on the go and also show love to others. You get to save time and energy when you buy Electricity tokens, subscribe for your Cable TV, and buy Data, and Airtime on Remita for yourself and your loved one. You can also set up a Remita standing order that helps you send a fixed amount to mum or any loved one every month without fail. By visiting www.remita.net on your mobile phone or browser, you can specially gift others and get excited at helping someone within your network.
4. Invest in Yourself
New goals require new actions, and new actions typically require new skills. Now that you have itemized your goals for the new year, you need to put in the efforts needed to help you achieve them.
Take on relevant new skills by reading books, listening to podcasts, watching videos, attending workshops and seminars, understudying someone – fuel your creativity, spark new ideas, and ignite a new perspective. You can also make use of online training or courses on Coursera, Udacity, Udemy, YouTube – and the list goes on.
5. Celebrate your wins
No matter how much you plan for the year ahead, it is sure to have surprises and diversions. So, boost your morale by celebrating your achievement, no matter how small. Remember, every step is an achievement that will help you reach your set goals. However, never get carried away by the success of today; the future promises more.
We could go on with the list, but we recommend that you start with these.
Let us warn you though: Doing the unusual requires more than the conventional – you must commit time and other resources to the process and be prepared to see it through. Best of luck!
