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Good morning, my friends!

I hope that everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. It is so hard to believe that this is the final week of the year. It feels like we just got started with 2015.

I’ve decided that my word for next year is going to be “Achieve.” As I’ve been thinking about what I want to achieve in 2016, I’ve thought a lot about my goals and what I can do to accomplish them.

I have some big goals for 2016. The kind that could get overwhelming without a game plan. So right now, I’m using these definitions to set my goals for next year and achieve them.

Goals are Measurable

Define your goals in such a way that you can measure and determine when you’ve successfully met them. Get concrete. A generic nebulous goal doesn’t allow you to see the victory. Get so specific that you can see the final accomplishment.

Example:
I want take and pass my jujitsu black belt exam in 2016.

Goals are Actionable

Identify the steps that you need to take to reach you goal. Begin with the end in mind and work backwards to determine what steps you need to take in the journey to meet them. Think of them as mini goals that move you toward your ultimate goal.

Example:
Action step 1: Complete my jujitsu notebook to date and take it my sensei to review; schedule additional classes to focus on lists where I need more practice and improvement.
Action step 2: Identify which techniques and lists I have not yet learned and set up time to get notes on these techniques from my sensei.
Action step 3: Identify any other exam requirements such as CPR certifications, first aid course, etc. that need to be completed in order to be eligible; schedule these classes.
Action step 4: Have all appropriate paperwork for exam packet complete no later than 30 month before the exam date

Goals have End Dates

You must set a deadline for your goal so you have the motivation to push. Set deadlines for the action steps and the ultimate goals. The mini goals must be close enough to create urgency so that you don’t lose momentum.

Example:
Ultimate goal: Black Belt Exam at our Fall Clinic – October 13-15, 2016
Action step 1: Due date – January 31, 2016
Action step 2: Due date – June 1, 2016
Action step 3: Due date – July 31, 2016
Action step 4: Due date – September 12, 2016

You can see that my goal of passing my black belt exam is 10 months away, but I’ve created a timeline to be moving toward it with specific measurable mini goals to accomplish along the way.

I’ll be talking more about my goals for 2016 later this week. In the meantime, if you’d like a free printable for your 2016 goals, sign up for the High-Heeled Love mailing list.

My first letter will be mailed out tomorrow and will include a pretty printable just in time for the new year; you don’t want to miss it.

Have a great week!

One Little Word for other years:

• 2018 Clarify
• 2017 Start