HOW TO PLAN FOR A BETTER YOU THIS YEAR

Now that you’re over the hype and pressure of those ridiculously unattainable new year’s resolutions, we can finally talk about who you could become this year. Setting goals and planning ahead is important because it raises self-awareness which leads to intentional living. It also keeps you growing and has the potential to help you achieve your dreams by helping you build the life you desire to live.

The foundation of the goal setting system in this article is based on the principle of character development over the next 12 months. Because, although you can’t always control your upbringing, circumstances, and your environment, your character is both your responsibility and something you have complete control over. Once you map out the character traits you would like to take on or improve this year in your life, you can then move on to set healthy habits, goals, and skills that correspond with your chosen character traits. Also, if your goals didn’t pan out the way you had expected last year, you’re still the perfect candidate to set goals for the year ahead! To help you deal with the worry of lost time, check out my previous blog post here. Beyond goals however, this current post will have you considering WHO you want to become. Yes, you own that GTI, the corner office on the top floor with that big title you’ve worked so hard for, but who are you? Let's get started!

STEP 1: SELECT CHARACTER TRAITS

From the A-Z list of positive character traits , pick out a maximum of 5 character traits you would like to work on becoming. Think of character traits you admire in your favourite people (loved ones, role models, leaders), and ideally focus on traits that you haven’t yet mastered. You can also pick a few traits to form an acronym, such as GREAT (G= Generous, R= Resourceful, E= Emotionally Available, A= Ambitious, T= Trustworthy) or REST (R= Resourceful, E= Efficient, S= Supportive, T= Teachable). Not only are acronyms easier to remember, but also easier to personalize. You can also extend this to character traits you would like to seek out in relationships with people around you. Once you have your 5 traits or acronym, think about a few practical ways you can exercise those traits. For example, if you picked ‘generosity’, you can look for opportunities to give of your time, talents, or resources. For example:

• Time: offer to babysit younger siblings or relatives or volunteer at a local shelter

• Talents: offer to give a developing artists free piano lessons or teach an upcoming entrepreneur how to draw up a business plan

• Resources: offer to buy toiletry packs for less fortunate teens around you or pay tuition for someone who can’t afford it but has the desire to learn

STEP 2: SET YOUR GOALS

Goals are desired results that you aspire to achieve in future. These goals need to be set realistically and must include indicators that will prove you are making progress. To help with this, ensure that your goals have objectives or sub-goals.

For example, if eating healthier is your goal, then this is how it could look:

• Having 3 main meals daily (including home-cooked)

• No more than 3 junk food intakes per week

• Checking caloric intake of foods per 100g serving

While goals should be realistic, they should also include a dream element. If it’s too easily attainable, scrap it or add a challenge to it. If you have already started on that goal, rather leave it out, trusting that you will continue growing towards it. Write down up to 5 goals. You can also check out YearCompass’ site for a great tool that emphasizes goal setting in various areas, such as: health and fitness, finances, relationships, career, intellectual, and personal goals.

STEP 3: SET YOUR HABITS

Habits are things that you plan on doing regularly. The easiest way to set habits is to link it to your chosen character traits and goals. For example, if fitness is your goal, then one of your habits should include exercising, with consistency or discipline as one of the key character traits you aim to develop. If laughing more is your chosen habit, then being joyful should also be a priority character trait. Write down up to 5 practical habits you would like to take on.

STEP 4: SET SKILLS TO DEVELOP

: offer to buy toiletry packs for less fortunate teens around you pay tuition for someone who can’t afford it but has the desire to learn

Skills refer to the ability or talent needed to do something. With the nature of life and future of work changing ever so quickly, adaptability is a growing demand. For this reason, it is important to focus on transferable skills that you can use across various industries, projects, and situations. Some examples of transferable skills include networking, time management, and presentation/public speaking skills. Write down 3-5 skills you would like to develop over the next 12 months.

STEP 5: ENCOURAGING QUOTES

We all experience moments of discouragement and need a booster to pick us up. For example, if you know you tend to engage in self-pity when you’re disappointed, pick a quote such as “I will not feel sorry for myself” (by Valerie Burton). Between books, motivational speakers, Google, and social media, there are more than enough resources to find quotes that will anchor you when you feel out of place in your journey towards self-development. Write down up to 5 good quotes.

Once you have completed all these 5 steps of development, place them somewhere you can see regularly, like the wall in your bedroom, the bathroom mirror, or screenshot as your phone’s wallpaper. Ideally, it also helps to share your goals with someone you trust to hold you accountable. And while it is important to stay focused on the goals you have set, it is as equally important to remember that goals are not set in stone and can be adapted with changes in circumstances. You may surprise yourself and achieve in 6 months what you thought would have taken you 12 months! Should that happen, celebrate it, reformulate your goal, or add a next level. Whichever way you choose to deal with it, constantly set goals and aim towards an improved version of yourself.

In an achievement-oriented society, it is easy to get caught up in wanting to tick the box confirming your completion of planned tasks and goals. We often want the change around us, but not so much the change within us, because that’s where the real hard work comes in. So, while having tangible proof that you achieved your goals is important, it is even more important to ensure that your character develops in the process. Inevitably, goals and habits set from the angle of character development facilitate plans for a better you in the year ahead!

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