After the year of bushfires, floods and COVID, a lot of well-laid plans did not pan out. So you're probably wondering if it's even worth setting goals for 2021. I explore the ins-and-outs of goal setting in the midst of continuing uncertainty, and offer food for thought to tackle those naysayers in your head.
2020 was a write-off, right?
Maybe there were some good things that came out of it (working from home in your jim-jams for one - come on, I know you did!). But a lot of plans probably went out the window - travel, events, new jobs or promotions, health.
And now that a new year has started, you're probably wondering if it's even worth making any plans for 2021.
Like seriously, what's the point?
We're at a time of the year when we are usually overly-enthusiastic to set goals and magic up dream boards of our ideal life for the 12 months ahead. But if we're not sure in our own ability to follow through on those plans, we kinda lose motivation and hope and wallow in procrastination and indecision. Time to toughen up, buttercup. I truly believe in the saying: "How you start is how you finish." So I'm here to tell you: do set your goals for 2021. Just like any other year, decide what you want for yourself professionally and personally. Put down on paper (or screen):
how much money you want to make
how much money you want to save
any new jobs, promotions, projects or pay rises you'll get
what your team will experience from your leadership
the holidays you'll go on
the friends you'll see
the fun you'll have
the love you'll make
the mentors you'll meet
the smiles on your kids' faces
the health you'll build
the courses you'll complete
and the joy, fulfilment and pride you'll look back on 2021 with.
Just reading that list put a smile on my face... is there one creeping up on yours? :) You get to decide how this year will pan out for you. And of course some plans may get derailed, some goals may change, some new opportunities may come up. That is life - and that happens EVERY YEAR. This one is no different. So you have two options - you can either set an inspiring, motivating and ambitious goal for 2021 and leverage that intention to manifest some (or all!) of it. Or you can do nothing at all and let the year dictate your direction for you and potentially get not-a-jot of what you want. One of the riskiest fears you'll ever have is the belief that you don't have control over your future. You don't need to have all the answers. You don't need to know how you'll achieve it all. You just need to put down on paper what you want. When you do that, you're 50% of the way there. How do I know? Because I've already written my goal for 2021. It includes 3 domestic holidays (to be booked refundable), business growth, career success, overseas work travel (stretch goal, right?), a ton of hobbies including flower collecting and pressing, and an ideal healthy weight and eyesight. And I'm so excited for 2021. I bet once you've set your 2021 goal, you will be too.
I'm Lata Hamilton - Change Leadership and Confidence expert, Founder & CEO of Passion Pioneers, and the creator of the Leading Successful Change program.
If you'd like help setting your career goals, grab my free Underpaid & Overlooked Coaching Action Guide to learn how to change careers with confidence and earn your worth - download it here.