HAPPY NEW YEAR
Welcome to the our new monthly newsletter and thank you for subscribing to it.
We would like to start off our first edition of the ACT NOW monthly newsletter by wishing you a very Happy and Peaceful New Year.
Our aim is to deliver a simple newsletter which will include topics we have found to be most popular with our clients. We will introduce you to a variety of tips and techniques that will enhance your life and help you achieve greater happiness and success in both your work and home life. These will be simple to understand and easy to implement.
We also intend to offer a number of free book summaries throughout the year to our newsletter subscribers.
We promise that if you stay with us throughout the year you will find tools and techniques that are particularly relevant to you at a particular time and that have the potential to change your life. Of course you have the option to unsubscribe at any time.
CREATING SUCCESSFUL NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS
As someone who understands the amazing power of setting goals in your life I love the fact that so many people use the new year to set goals for different elements of their lives. The fact that they call them “New Year Resolutions” rather than goals should not really matter. Unfortunately by mid January the vast majority of “New Year Resolutions” are put away in the cupboard waiting to be taken out again this time next year. So why do people not implement their new year resolutions and what can we do about this?
Of course there are a variety of reasons why people never follow through on achieving their goals and we will be regularly including hints and tips to overcome the most common obstacles to success. However perhaps the most obvious one that we would like to explore this month is the fact that the goals people set are not SMART.
S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Every goal you set should pass the SMART test to significantly increase the chances of the goal being achieved. The acronym S.M.A.R.T. stands for
- Specific. You need to be as specific as possible in terms of what you want to achieve.
- Measurable. Can you measure the result so that you know if and when you achieved your goal?
- Achievable. Although goals should be stretching on the one hand it is important that they are achievable as setting and failing on totally unrealistic goals can be very demoralising.
- Relevant. The goals need to be relevant to you in terms of your own roles, values and responsibilities. Sometimes people set goals because their colleagues, family or friends thought it was a good idea.
- Timebound. Set a date as to when you will achieve your goal.
An excellent example to demonstrate smart goals is the people who are looking to get fitter or healthier in 2009 (probably includes 80% of the population). The simple goal of “Getting fitter” is not specific, measurable or timebound. Often when I probe clients on this I find that their real goal is to “lose weigh”. A “S.M.A.R.T. version of this goal could be
“I will lose 7 pounds by 1st April”.
This goal is very specific, we can measure if it has been achieved and it is timebound as we have included the date it will be achieved by. Whether the goal is relevant or achievable can be decided by the person setting the goal.
If you normally don’t succeed in implementing your New Year Resolutions then remember that the definition of insanity is the person who continues to do the same things and expects different results. This year turn your New Year Resolutions into S.M.A.R.T. goals and notice the different results you achieve.
WHAT IF I CAN’T IDENTIFY GOALS TO SET?
Very often we work with people who are unhappy in their lives but don’t know what areas they should focus on. A very effective yet simple tool that can be used in these circumstances is the Wheel of Life. This is a wheel which is divided into 8 distinct sections, each representing a different area of your life. To print off a copy of a blank wheel and to get more detailed instructions on how to complete the wheel click here.
FORTHCOMING PROGRAMMES
Act Now often run training programmes or seminars which are open to members of the public or specific groups or organisations. We will keep you informed of any programmes planned throughout the year. The 2 open programmes we curently have scheduled are as follows:
Time Management for Business Success
This is a one day programme being run on behalf of the Fingal County Enterprise Board. It is scheduled for 6th May 2009 and will be held in their Swords Office. The programme provides participants with a framework for increasing their own personal effectiveness. This is achieved by setting clear goals, better management of their priorities, getting more done in less time and by managing and interacting more effectively with staff. Ultimately it aims to help participants become more successful in achieving their business and life goals. The cost per participant is €75. To book a place on this programme click here
How to Develop Quality Relationships in Life and Business
The ability to create and maintain quality relationships with clients, colleagues, family and friends is vital to maximising your potential and creating a happy and successful life. This evening seminar provides participants with the tools and skills to transform the key relationships in their lives.
These seminars are being run on behalf of the Fingal County Enterprise Board and there is no charge to participants. The provisional dates are 20th April in Blanchardstown Library and 28th April in the Marine Hotel, Sutton. Further details will be available shortly.
We sincerely hope you enjoy our newsletters. We promise that if you stay with us throughout the year that you will find a topic that is particularly relevant to you at your current time and that has the potential to change your life. Of course you will have the option to unsubscribe at any time.
See you next month
Mick
