Make it fun, realistic and visual. Here’s how
As we welcome 2023 with open arms, like many others during this time of year, we too have been thinking about our goal setting and intentions for the year ahead.
It can often be quite a daunting task for many; especially if you’re someone like me, who at times finds the topic of ‘self-reflection’ challenging. Whilst individuals, groups or businesses can set goals during any time of the year, the start of a new year seems relevant as you evaluate the year before, while it’s still fresh and then assess your focus and intention for the year ahead.
Setting goals can help you stay focused and motivated throughout the year and can also make it easier to achieve the things that you want in life.
So… where do I even begin?
We like to set our goals into three goal buckets: personal goals, financial goals and professional / career-oriented goals. By having at least one goal in each bucket, it allows us to develop & seek new challenges and opportunities in different key areas of your life.
It’s important to remember to stay clear on your journey when setting goals; do your best not to compare or compete in goals with those around you.
Set S.M.A.R.T goals
Tired of setting goals that you never seem to achieve? It’s time to get S.M.A.R.T about your goal setting! S.M.A.R.T stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Specific: Instead of saying “I want to save more money,” set a specific goal like “I want to save $5,000 by the end of the year.”
Measurable: This means you should be able to track your progress and know when you’ve achieved your goal.
Attainable: It’s important to be realistic and not set goals that are too far out of reach.
Relevant: This means that the goal is important to you and aligns with your overall life and career goals.
Time-bound: Set a deadline for achieving your goal, so you know when you need to take action.
By following the S.M.A.R.T method, you’ll be setting goals that are clear, achievable and aligned with your overall life goals. Give it a try, you’ll be surprised at how much more effective and efficient your goal setting will become.
Next, make a plan. Break your goal down into smaller steps so you can work towards it gradually. For example, if you were saving up to buy a house, you could aim to save $X dollars each month for a house deposit, or research the different neighbourhoods you’re interested in living in.
Share your goals with your close friends or family and track your progress. Not only will this help you stay accountable, but it’s always good to have a close friend or family member in your corner to help cheer, remind and motivate you along the way. After all, everybody needs a hype pal!
If you haven’t had much luck with goal setting in the past, why not mix it up this year and try setting intentions?
Setting intentions is a powerful way to focus your mind and align your actions with your values and desires. It’s about creating a positive mindset and a clear direction for your life, rather than just aiming for a specific outcome. The idea is to focus on the journey rather than the destination. So, instead of setting a goal like “I want to lose 10kgs,” try setting an intention like “I will make healthy choices that align with my body and mind.”
This can be good for personal or career-oriented goals, but we suggest trying to keep financial goals as S.M.A.R.T as possible if you can!
If you’re more of a visual person, create a vision board (we love this one!)
A vision board is a powerful tool that can help you set and achieve your goals in a fun and visual way. By creating a collage of images, words, and affirmations that represent your goals or how you envision yourself at the end of the year, you’ll be able to see them every day, which will help to keep you motivated and focused. Plus, it’s a great way to get creative and have fun while setting your goals.
Here at Mortgage Sure, we understand the importance of setting personal, financial and professional goals and we are here to help you achieve them. Whether you’re looking to buy your first home, refinance your existing mortgage, start a new business venture or even buy a new vehicle, we can help.
Contact us today and let’s work together to make your goals a reality in the new year.
While we’re home loan experts, our blog posts are for general information purposes only and are not intended as financial advice. If at any stage you need personalised advice, get in touch on 06 8788 4444 or Ben or Mark.
