Though this pandemic may have thrown a wrench in your 2020 plans, there is still an opportunity to achieve more and realize your goals in 2021. We explore strategies to reflect, set and achieve your 2021 goals.
We are living in unprecedented times. 2020 which initially started with high hopes and exceptional promise, took a devastating turn that no one expected. However with the distribution of the vaccine underway and the start of a new year. There is a lot more hope and promise for 2021.
Are you ready to set and achieve your goals in 2021? Discover how to set goals with the 7 steps to goal setting the right way.
Lululemon’s mindfulosophy program composed reflection questions on goal setting. The reflection questions address each step of the goal-setting process. These questions help you focus on the goals that genuinely matter to you at this time. They also provide practical steps to keep yourself accountable and realize your goals. Many experts believe that reflection is pivotal to success and taking the time to reflect increases your ability to learn and move forward.
“The more reflective you are, the more effective you are”
Hall and Simeral
Goal setting steps
Remove limiting beliefs
The first step to Goal Setting is to identify and then remove your limiting beliefs. Limiting beliefs are the product of our inner saboteur. As a logical person, I tend to look at facts and rarely at what is possible. This first step is vital if you are more rational when setting goals.
During this pandemic, we may have many limiting beliefs centered around our ability to accomplish our goals. Given all the uncertainty and restrictions on movement, you can easily be discouraged if your goals involved in-person meetings.
A coworker recently said that she is going to stop looking at what COVID-19 is doing TO us and focus on what COVID-19 is doing FOR us.
Reflection questions:
- What do you believe about your ability to achieve your goal?
- What limits do you have about your internal and external circumstances?
- Could it be that you’re not good enough? Or that you lack the experience, confidence, money, resources, connections, time or even energy?
Complete this exercise to take the first step in eliminating your limiting beliefs. Take your journal or digital notepad and write down your top 5 limiting beliefs. Rip out the paper or cross out those beliefs and throw them away. You can also strike out the limiting belief or delete the page in your note app.
The physical act of ripping it apart and throwing it away can be freeing. How did that feel? Satisfying?
Identify your values
The second step in goal setting is to identify your values. Our values drive our behaviour and shape how we show up in the world. Many people operate on a set of values, either known or unknown to them. It’s essential to take a moment to understand and reflect on your values. Our values can change depending on the season we are in our lives. Given the ambiguity that we are living in, you may find yourself either developing new values or strengthening your values.
Have your values changed with this pandemic? Which values are you leveraging more since this pandemic upended life as we know it?
Our core values are what we draw on in life’s challenging moments and most significant opportunities. Take the time to understand how your values influence your decisions, goals and your purpose.
Reflection questions:
- What are my core values?
- Do my values guide my daily decisions?
- Which values do I want to focus on at this point in my life?
These questions about your values should help determine the goals that matter to you as 2021 unfolds.
One of my core values is service. So I make it a goal every year to volunteer my time and expertise to serve a variety of organizations. In practicing physical distancing, I am unable to volunteer in person. So I am volunteering my time digitally and donating funds to the causes that matter to me.
Setting Priorities
The third step to goal setting is Setting Priorities. The changes that occurred with the COVID-19 pandemic may have forced some of us to change our priorities.
Let’s revisit our goals with a new mind frame :
- Once you have identified and removed your limiting beliefs, you may want to rewrite the goals with your limiting beliefs in check.
- After reflecting on your values, you should select the goals that closely align with your values.
List all your priorities for the rest of the year, then order them by the ones that will involve the most amount of time. You can avoid competing priorities by looking at how each priority will impact your life and others who are close to you.
Reflection questions:
- What are my priorities?
- How do I make time for each priority?
- How are I and others affected when I set time aside for what is necessary?
Right now, you’re in an excellent place to set the right priorities, which will bring you closer to setting your goals.
Set SMART Goals
The next step in goal setting is setting SMART goals. We’ve got to make sure our goals are S.M.A.R.T:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected each metric of your goal? Make adjustments where you need to; remove goals that are no longer relevant and extend deadlines where possible.
It is imperative to set goals that truly challenge you, as well as understand your motivations behind each goal. Take the time to think through the why behind each goal.
It is easier to get excited about goals when you plan how you will:
a) capture the goal
b) prepare for the changes in your life
b) celebrate after you achieve the goal
Be sure to write down each goal and visualize yourself accomplishing each goal you set. Experts say people are 42% more likely to achieve goals when written down.
Reflection questions:
- Are my goals SMART?
- Does this goal challenge me?
- How will I capture it when I’ve completed the goal?
- What are my motivations for wanting this goal?
- How will my life and others change when I achieve this goal?
Think of the number one goal on your list. Share with a close friend or family member how you plan to celebrate the goal when you achieve it.
Start the process
Once you have set your SMART goals. It is time to get started on achieving your goals. Getting started with your goals involves:
- Understanding the first step you have to take to realize each goal;
- Acknowledging what happens if you do not achieve this goal;
- Knowing the potential roadblocks that may come your way; and
- Preparing for those roadblocks that may occur.
Reflection Questions:
- Do I know the first step to take to achieve this goal?
- What happens if I don’t achieve this goal?
- What are the potential roadblocks that could prevent me from achieving this goal?
- What could I do to prepare for those roadblocks?
Achieving a goal takes practice, and we have the opportunity to put this into practice this year.
To set your 2021 goals utilize this template to write your goals. Focus on what is possible and see yourself accomplishing the goal.
Sticking with it
In 2021 we’re saying goodbye to ‘setting then forgetting,’ and we’re applying strategy to our goal setting.
To stick to the goals that we set for this year:
- You have to adopt new habits: Experts say it takes an average person 21 days to adopt a new practice. Setting a goal to work out more and eat healthily? It’s not enough to sign up for classes if it currently doesn’t fit in with your lifestyle. With many of us staying home to stop the spread of COVID-19, working out at home may be more convenient.
- Share, share and share: Share your goals with one or more people. Then share them in a meaningful way. Sharing your goals in a meaningful way will keep you accountable.
Reflection questions:
- What habits do I start now to achieve my goal?
- Who will I share my goal with?
- What impact will it have when I share my goal?
- When and how will I share my goal with others?
Detach from the outcome
The last step in goal setting is detaching from the outcome. Though this may sound counter-intuitive, it is vital to achieving each goal.
We set goals with the intention of either changing or improving our lives. However, it’s important to appreciate where we are in our lives and the uncertain times we’re in. We should take the time to remind ourselves why each goal is essential, then let go of the outcome.
Detaching from the outcome means that we are not limited to a preferred result. Separating frees us from unnecessary pressure and allows us to trust the process. Disconnecting means you’re open to many possibilities and removes fear, doubt and disappointment.
In recapturing the steps to goal setting, each step is pivotal to help set and achieve your goals in 2021.
1️⃣ Remove Limiting Beliefs
2️⃣ Know Your Values
3️⃣ Set Priorities
4️⃣ Set S.M.A.R.T Goals
5️⃣ Start the Process
6️⃣ Stick With It
7️⃣ Detach from the Outcome
It is possible that your life right now is either utterly unrecognizable to what it was at the beginning of 2020 or somewhat inconvenienced.
Nonetheless, setting and pursuing goals for 2021 will help build self-confidence, improve your productivity and focus. Given the uncertainty that we are living into, having clear goals that you are pursuing will give you a sense of assurance. The world will eventually bounce back from this pandemic and setting goals will set you up for continued success.