Are you with me and 40% of Americans who make New Year’s resolutions each year?  Are you in the 8% who actually achieve these goals?  Here are some ways that we can be a part of the group of people who make real progress toward envisioning and achieving goals this year.

First, focus on actions that move  you toward your goal.  I came across an article several months ago pointing out that exactly 100 days remained in 2016.  I realized that to come close to achieving the goals I had set for myself in 2016, I needed to take some concrete steps.  I created a simple table with my three goals at the top and a space to note progress toward each for the next 100 days.

For example, one of my 2016 goals was to complete the requirements for my Professional Coaching Certificate (P.C.C.).  Over the last 100 days, I was able to note the progress I made:

• Review requirements for P.C.C.
• Make an appointment with Whitney to have and record a coaching conversation
• Transcribe the conversation
• Set up an appointment with Reba for a coaching supervision conversation

These are all specific and tangible actions that are moving me toward achieving this goal.  I can realistically see what I have left to do and it’s clear that I will be able to accomplish this within the next two months.  And while I’m not going to achieve this before the end of 2016 as I had planned,  I am on track and now see a clear path to accomplishing this.

To add even more structure to this idea, Ellen McGirt, writing in Fortune magazine, says:

Imagine that it’s the end of 2017 and you’ve had your best professional year ever. What three to five things did you do that made it so incredible?  Now imagine a similar list about your personal life, like you might put in a holiday newsletter. Those are your big goals for next year.

Break those down into smaller steps and treat them as action items, to be tackled on a weekly basis. Create a three category priority list—career, relationships, and self—and add two to three items per category. Then add them to your calendar and stick with it.

Read the full article by clicking on the link below:

One Trick to Getting More Done In Less Time

Because the ‘100 Days’ activity worked well for me, I am going to use McGirt’s approach this year.  Her request to think about the end of 2017 and imagine what you’ve accomplished and then work backward is an excellent approach.  I also especially like that she encourages goal-setting in three areas–professional, relationships and self.  I also see the power in coming up with action items related to these goals on a weekly basis and getting those on the calendar.  This is an approach that makes sense to me and I can see myself actually doing this.

Let me know what you think and how this works for you.  And while you’re here, check out the rest of my website.

I wish you an outstanding start to 2017 and hope that much joy and much accomplishment come your way this year.