Reach Your Goals this Holiday Season

Kids know exactly what they want for Christmas. They have no problem writing long, descriptive lists and sending letters to Santa. Whether they want something as simple as a trendy doll or as complicated as a pony, they set their sights on a goal and go after it.

As an adult, this isn’t as easy. We may not want the newest gadget or the hottest outfit, but we still strive to reach our goals. Leading up to the New Year, people start to think about what they want out of the next year. Here are three tips you can use to help yourself reach your goals and be the person you want to be.

1. Set clear goals. Writing down specific goals can help you bring about the very thing you want. You might want to run a 10k, save for a family vacation, lose 15 pounds, or earn a promotion in your job. No matter what you want to achieve, you need to set a clear goal. Make sure your goal is SMART—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Based. Also, by writing down your goals, you are more likely to successfully complete them.
2. Don’t bow to pressure. Unfortunately, in today’s world, not everyone is supportive and positive. Social media, economic pressures, and many other factors may stop you from reaching your goals. Don’t let them! Monitor your results and how close you are to achieving your goals. Stay the course—nothing is impossible when you remember to push yourself to meet your New Year’s resolutions and goals.
3. Never give up. Like a kid before Christmas, don’t give up. Kids sometimes bug Santa and their parents relentlessly until they wake up Christmas morning and find their presents under the tree. This type of persistence is what we need to embrace in our personal lives to achieve our goals. Don’t let unexpected things get in your way. Keep your eye on the prize and, in the end, the achievement will feel that much better!

As adults, we can truly learn a lot from paying attention to how children act. By following their lead, we can reach our goals and create even more joy in our lives and the lives of others. Don’t forget to set your goals. You will thank yourself later.

Happy holidays from all of us at Acuity!