Most people have resolutions at the beginning of the year. This year is no different.
The resolutions are statements of resolve, because there is a problem that requires a solution.
For example, saving money, losing weight, getting some skills and going to the gym, among others. By the third month, gyms are empty and people are back to their old habits. Behavioural studies have confirmed that those who make it through, have a bigger plan, some life goals of sorts, rather than resolutions.
WHAT ARE LIFE GOALS?
Life goals are lifelong plans that feature your life purpose. The life plan has renewable goals that can be reduced into personal objectives that are measurable every year, like a personal year plan based on what you seek to achieve or envisage.
Life goals have long-term outcomes instead of resolutions. One plans the resolution better if they fit into the bigger picture. In other words, the resolution must be addressing the bigger course than momentary meaningless decisions.
An example of saving money should not be ‘I plan to save money this year’, but to save money to reduce bond, to go to school next year or to pay for my studies.
WHAT DISTINGUISHES A LIFE GOAL FROM RESOLUTION?
A life goal feeds into the bigger personal growth development. This means that we should be consciously aware of our gifts and talents at that phase of our lives. At 23, normally you are formalising your career in what you think you might be passionate about.
This would mean studying harder to get better results at the time. And gaining more experience. This is a calculated move, that requires money and time. Chances are when this is done with determination, it is not a surprise when your career advances.
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Equally for a 32-year-old, to whom starting a family is important. That includes planning for it. Life goals give you the holistic overview of your bigger picture, whereas resolution is momentary.
Life goals are measurable whereas resolutions might be measurable with limitations as they do not feature the bigger picture.
HOW DOES ONE DEVELOP A LIFE GOAL?
You develop a life goal by defining your future state of being or your life purpose. Life purpose is something that one is passionate about and you can cultivate so that it yields long-term results in your life.
To be able to accomplish such, one would need to have a life goal. So, find your passion and invest time and money in it. Also, while spending money and time towards achieving your life goals, one should look at developing other aspects of one’s life to include health, wealth, faith, family, fun and personal growth.
The life goal approach that features your holistic life aspects can be better detailed in this way:
- HEALTH
The life goal should be leading a healthy lifestyle. Am I leading a healthy lifestyle so that when I diet, I am losing weight and addressing my health?
If I am overweight, how many months do I give myself for a healthy body weight? How much should I lose over time? What would be the risk if I stay the same?
- WEALTH
The life goal should be I want to be debt-free and have a positive balance in my account. Questions you need to ask are, how much am I saving to be debt-free? How do I accumulate wealth, what do I need to do to improve my income?
- FAMILY
The life goal can be to create memories with family. Questions can be
– How am I supporting my children, spouse and family?
– What is it that I must do with them to continue to create beautiful memories and a safe environment for them to grow in?
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This will require a carefully thought approach where you sit down and ask yourself questions like what is important to you in this phase, what else can you do to improve your life?
How many years would you need to achieve whatever you set your mind on?
What do you have that you can use to advance your life goals?
Which aspects are important to you and which ones are the priorities?
DEVELOPING A YEAR PLAN
Once you have realised your priorities, draft a year plan with tangibles so that you can measure your progress.
Review it quarterly and put actions that are realistic and achievable in place. Do not be afraid to deviate and change the year plan.
Invest time in personal development, you will not regret it.
*Fundi is writing in her capacity as a life coach. This advice feature was originally published in Move!
