‘New year, new you’ is the common phrase often thrown around at the top of each new year. With time to reflect on the challenges faced last year and a renewed energy for the journey ahead, the beginning of a year marks the time period for when many people make New Year resolutions for their career and personal life.
According to Psychology Today, research shows that individuals start out the first two weeks of the year on track and eager to achieve their goals. However, by February, they start to backslide on their objectives and by December they are often back to where they started the previous year.
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With the goal to make 2016 your best year yet, BlackEnterprise.com caught up with five millennials to get non-cliché advice on setting new goals and sticking to them throughout the year.
Name: Gwen Jimmere
Title: CEO/Founder of Naturalicious
Age: 33
Tip: The way I plan to stay on track with my 2016 goals is by following the principles and concepts of The 12 Week Year. This book suggests that rather than planning an entire 12 month year, break your plans and goals into 12 week periods, thus viewing this time period as a 12 week year, rather than a 12 month year. In doing so, since 12 weeks is a ‘year,’ then one month becomes a week, and a week becomes a day–thereby forcing you to develop actionable items to actively meet each goal you set during this time. The idea is that 12 weeks is a long enough time period to accomplish your most immediate goals, while being short enough to create the real sense of urgency necessary for high productivity and goal-attainment.
I’ve been utilizing this method for the past two quarters in both my personal and professional life, and my productivity has been through the roof. I’m definitely implementing this for all of 2016 and beyond.
Name: Deanna Jefferson
Title: National Health and Fitness Expert
Age: 29
Tip #1:Â Write goals into your passwords so you’re constantly reminded.
Tip #2: Set milestone objectives so every X months you’re making strides towards the bigger goal. Websites like www.FutureMe.org allow you to send yourself an email in the future.
Name: Porter Braswell
Title: CEO of Jopwell
Age: 28
Tip: Every year I pick two or three goals to accomplish, and every day I write down small actions to take in a journal that will get me a few steps closer to accomplishing these goals. If I do all the small daily actions, I find that the two or three goals are attainable.
Name: Janell Hazelwood
Title: Journalist/Digital Media Strategist and Chief Content Curator at The Boss Moves
Age: 32
Tip #1: Vision boards were all the rage in 2015, but in 2016 take things a step further and document the plan and progress. I once attended a vision board party where it felt more like frenzied competition of who can be the most creative and over the top than an activity of
peace and clarity. What was missing for me was actual image-visualizing steps I’d take to reach the goals the images and photos represented — whether it’s to find a spouse, get a promotion, or save funds for a vacation. James 2:26 details how faith without work is dead.Also, cut out steps for that fitness plan from an article or include a list of events you can attend to meet new people or be more visible to attract a mate or new job. Put dates with those short-term goals and hold yourself accountable. Have a partner who will help you check in on those goals or even someone who will participate in making them happen with you. Have a progress party instead of repeating the same old vision board parties of yesteryear.
Tip #2: If you just started a business, join a Mastermind Group in 2016. I’m a budding entrepreneur and I started on my own, full-time, in the last two quarters of 2015. Oftentimes you’ll be so focused on transitioning and making sure you’re able to sustain the old life you had, that you forget to enjoy, accept, and set the foundation for the new one you’ve chosen.
Mastermind groups are a great way to not only remain inspired, but to shake off fear and anxiety of isolation in trying to reach your highest business goals. There’s only but so much you can do as a one-woman (or one-man) show when you’re just starting out, and if you’re like me, you may have thought you could just ‘thug it out’ on your own.
Try MeetUp.com to find masterminds in your area or start one of your own by creating groups via LinkedIn, Periscope or entrepreneurship forums; support events that have panels or discussions featuring budding and experienced entrepreneurs. Try incubators or invest in a co-working space where you are constantly interacting with other budding entrepreneurs you can learn from, partner with, and even cry with when the going gets tough.