Achieve by setting goals, not by making resolutions

Setting a goal is not the same as making a resolution.

Making a resolution is about a decision to do, or not to do, something. Resolutions are often made on the spur
of the moment, in an emotional state, or under peer pressure, and have little to no assessment of the practical implications of the decision. This explains why a whopping 80% of new year’s resolutions are abandoned by February.
 
In setting a goal, there is also the intent to do, or not do, something. The process of setting a goal however requires logical, practical assessment of current state, desired state and what must be done to move from the one to the other.
 
A SMARTEST goal, a good plan and plain old discipline is the mix for achieving success.
 
Let’s look at how to define the goal first.
 
The following table describes the elements of a SMARTEST goal:

​It is key to have a clear picture of what life will be when you achieve you goal – when you write your goal, project yourself to the future date and write the goal in present tense.
 
For example my 2022 goal reads as follows: It is 1 April 2022 and I weigh 55 kilograms.
 
Is it a SMARTEST goal? I believe it is. 

​Next you need a plan.
 
During planning, you

• identify everything that must be done to take you from your current state to the time that you achieve your goal
• plot your list of things against a timeline between Today and Your Goal date.
  

​Below is an example. You will notice that the plan has a good amount of details and that every second milestone, also has how I will reward myself when I achieve that milestone.

​And now – you do it! Have a copy of your goal and your plan visible where you can see it every day. Focus on what you want one day at a time until you get there.

There is one important principle though, if you find that you are not achieving your goal – DO NOT change the goal, rather change the plan.