Goal setting. It’s my favorite January topic and something I think about the entire month of December. While most people are planning holiday meals or family vacations, I spend most of the month reflecting on the year and what path I want to follow when the new year arrives. When we flip the calendar to January 1st, and the Bowl Games are on television, I already know where I’m headed in both business and my personal life. I don’t use January as a time to set goals, I use the month as a time to put words into action.
In my work life, my goals are set with quarterly checkpoints to stay on target. Yes, just like in past years, I have them written down where I can look at them daily. Yes, I have accountability to my team and to my clients to hold steady on the promises I make. Yes, I usually achieve them and use this exercise as more of a guide and less of a push. I don’t need to crush my goals; I just need to stay laser focuses on my path and not deviate. I am dependable and reliable. Goal setting is how I do this.
In my personal life, it’s not so easy. Having a newly empty next means I no longer have accountability at home. My daughter started University this past fall and I now live alone. There is nobody to push me, encourage me, or give me “the look” when I’m procrastinating. To be a self-starter at work AND at home is a tall order even for the strongest of mindsets. So, this year, I’m going to change up my personal goals. I’m going to just have one. You know, the one you have every year, and you seem to accomplish the other 9 but never that one. The one you had last year. And the year before that. Yes, you always achieve the other goals and give yourself a pass since you know being perfect isn’t realistic. So this year, this one elusive goal will be broken down into 10 mini goals so see if I can achieve it. Or maybe just half achieve it…. that would be an accomplishment in its own right! I want to challenge myself to not just take the easy victories. Which also means owning up and not making excuses and instead making time. I tell clients all the time that investing for retirement is like climbing Mt Everest one step at a time….just focus on the next step. It’s time I take a page out of my own play book and break down my Mt Everest into small and manageable tasks.
Yep, I’m going to do it this year. 2023 is the year of one goal. One picture on my vision board. One word that I will say daily even if I can’t do it. I will think about it. I will prepare for it. I will crawl before I walk before I run. Figuratively and literally. I will run.
Kimberly Enders CFP® CWS® CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
Enders Wealth Management
37800 Van Dyke Ave, Suite 125
Sterling Heights MI 48312
www.enderswm.com
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