Last week I wrote about how to conduct a personal annual review. We discussed the importance of looking back on the year that has passed before looking forward and setting New Year's resolutions. I'd be remiss to offer advice on how to reflect without following up with some thoughts on how to move forward.
Fortunately, both processes follow a very similar diagram. In reflecting, we looked at four areas of our life: physical, mental, spiritual, and relational. We'll use these same four areas (and a few others) to set resolutions or goals for ourselves.
Most people set New Year's resolutions based on past failed goals, social media trends, or personal guilt regarding a bad habit they've developed. This method of setting goals does not set us up for success. What about the date January 1st will make exercising four days a week any easier than it being December 1st? Why do we believe that because they calendar has changed that our habits will follow suit?
I believe the reason that only 7% of people stick to their resolution is because they aren't starting with any true strategy. Instead they're blindly throwing progress darts hoping that one of them sticks.
The first step in setting a goal or a resolution is deciding which area of your life is out of balance. By narrowing down our goals to a specific category of our lives, we are providing ourselves a specific direction for our growth and declaring that our priority is that area, not just one goal.
Selecting Your Area
The simplest way to select the area you want to improve is to ask yourself, "What area of my life (physical, mental, spiritual, relational) have I neglected the most this past year?" Then set a goal to improve that area of your life.
If you'd like a more thorough method of assessment, there is a tool called the Wheel of Life. Zig Ziglar is credited with creating this tool and it is one of the most effective and widely used leadership tools in the world. I've created my own version that you can download for free here. Plan on taking at least 20 minutes on the assessment. In the end, you'll be provided with a clear visual on what areas of your life are out of balance.
The last step is to select an area with a low score and set a goal to restore some balance in that area of your life.
I hope your New Year has started off strong and please let me know if I can be of any help in achieving your goals for the coming year.
Action
Take the wheel of life assessment. Print off a copy of your wheel and put it somewhere you will see everyday. As you progress on your goals, color in the wheel to demonstrate the restoration of balance in your life.
Question
What area of your life have you neglected the most this year? Why?
Quote
"Most people will passively do exactly what they did last year. Whatever you do, don't let that person be you." - Richie Norton
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