5 Ways To Achieve Results And Exceed Your Goals in the New Year

The New Year is here.

It seems like yesterday we welcomed the new year. See how the days are flying past. I don’t know if I’m the only one who has noticed this.

You may had high hopes for 2016, made plans, set goals but if you have not put in place a system that helps you achieve these goals, I am sorry to say – you might just have taken a trip to fantasy land.

A goal without a plan is just a wish – Anonymous

I’d like to see 2016 as a baby that has been born. Before the birth of any child, there are expectations which heighten as the Expected Due Date (EDD) draws near. Same thing with the New Year. Almost everyone has some form of New Year resolution, bucket list or goals template that has the list of all that they hope to achieve or desire to be in 2016.

These tips will help you bring those dreams to reality.

1. Realize that 2016 is different from other years

If you entered 2016 the same way you did 2015, you have already made a big mistake.

Every would-be mother has always heard this – No child or pregnancy is the same. Whether it’s your first child or your fifth, you can’t have the same symptoms, cravings and experiences in the same degree.

It is the same for each year. Each year is peculiar and the earlier you plan your activities with these in mind, the better prepared you are towards getting your goals achieved.

Government policies, international events and world matters have a way of influencing finances. For instance, the price of crude oil at the beginning of 2015 is certainly not the same this January 2016. So, if you are in an economy that is likely to be impacted by crude oil prices, then that should be a key determining factor in your estimated budget and plans for the year.

What’s on the lips of everyone today is dollar price has gone up, dollar this, dollar that. Or is it the recent Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive that banned the use of Nigeria-issued Debit Cards internationally.

So many people have taken to social media to vent their frustrations and become Lawmakers. The question is, have you found an alternative to fund your business? It’s a different year. New strategies must be employed to achieve great results.

2. Walk the Talk

Everyone has big goals. But to really achieve them, you must be willing to put in the work to get it done. Statistics have shown that only about 8% of people who make New Year resolutions actually achieve them. The same thing with goals. It’s what you do after the goal setting that matters.

Don’t shy away from experiences that will stretch you. Don’t be afraid to get your hands and feet dirty.

Because you have little or no control over the events of the year, it’s safe to assume that a lot will happen and some will attempt to sway you from getting things done.

You should have a way to keep yourself in check, to remind yourself of your goals, why you set them in the first place, where you are now, and what changes you need to make in order to get back on track and hit the bull’s eye in the shortest possible time.

You need to outline the tools you would need to achieve the goals, whether it is a degree or certification, a skill to be learned, some mentoring to get or some money to be put aside and invested.

3. Nurture Your Dreams

As soon as a baby is born, the baby needs nourishment. In fact, some hospitals would advocate for the mother to put the baby to breast 15 minutes after delivery.

In the same way, your dreams need nourishment. If you just set your goals and go to sleep, there is no way it would see the light of day.

If you don’t feed your dreams, they will die a natural death.

How can you nurture your dreams?

• By keeping it constantly in view – This can be done using vision boards. A vision board is a tool used to help clarify, concentrate and maintain focus on definite life goals. With a vision board, there is no room for vagueness or ambiguity. It is clear.
• Mentoring/Coaching – You always hear the saying that successful people have coaches. Some may have more than one, for the different aspects of their lives and business. So, mentors help. Use one-on-one discussions to enhance your skills, knowledge and abilities. It could be physical or over the phone. It could be short-term or lifelong. They help you get to your desired goal in the shortest possible time. They are able to tell you what works best for you in the given circumstances. If you don’t have one till now, please get a coach/mentor.
• Support groups/Business Friends – These are people who are either on the same pursuit as you are, or who have done similar things. They are people who understand your vision and can cheer you on as you pursue your goals. You need to seek out these people. This is very crucial because if all those you converse with don’t understand your goal, or why you do what you do, it won’t be long before whatever fire you had is put off. So to keep the passion burning, to get honest feedback and motivation, you need people of like minds. If you know some other ways, please drop a line in the comments. Every information is key, you know.

4. Create the right environment for growth

Every mother knows the importance of babyproofing the house. You can feed a child properly but if you overlook the aspect of safety for the child, you would soon end up in the ER at the local clinic.

You must ensure that the environment is safe for the growth of your dreams. Now, I don’t mean you should begin to think of relocation. It’s the mind environment I’m referring to. What thoughts do you accommodate in your mind about yourself and your dreams?

If you already think in your mind that your dreams are not achievable, I’m sorry! You may not be able to achieve them.

If you look in the mirror, and all you see is a Failure, with that mind-set, even the best coaches or mentor would not be able to help you.

When you wake up each morning, you need to tell yourself strong words – “I believe in me, I am made for greatness, I am precious in God’s sight, I have an excellent spirit…” and so on.

These words set the tone for your day and there’s no end to what your mind can achieve when it has been set right. With all these running through your mind, you will see new opportunities where others see obstacles and that’s how you become a success story and people begin to ask you how you did it.

5. No Comparisons

This is bane of motherhood. It annoys me to no end. You hear things like, “ah, my son was able to hold his head at 7 weeks… oh, she had her first tooth at 3 months….” and they go on and on, just to satisfy themselves that they are probably better mothers.

As each child differs in reaching developmental milestones, so also our dreams, goals and aspirations differ.

As the year progresses, you will see others doing victory dances, celebrating milestones you only dream of and you may be tempted to compare yourself with them and get worried that you are not achieving as much.

That would be counter-productive.

You have to realise that your goals are unique to you. Besides, you don’t know what their journey is all about. For all you care, they could have been on that project for much longer and you didn’t know of it.

The time wasted in comparing your work with another’s can never be regained. “ – Ruth Zubairu

It’s one thing to celebrate the success of others and it’s another to compare yourself with them. The success of others shouldn’t impact negatively on your own work. Be diligent in putting your energy to use on your visions and dreams. Sooner or later, you will also be celebrated. Can I get an ‘Amen’?

Wrapping it up

It is clear that setting goals is just the beginning of what needs to be done in order to achieve maximum success this year.

When you realize that it’s a whole new year, with different policies and events, you will be able to nurture your dreams in such a way that they have the right environment to blossom and yield amazing results. Then, at the end of the year, you can celebrate with others without any feeling of envy or comparison because you had done your best and had even surpassed your dreams.

Wouldn’t we all like that?