“What do you want to achieve by the end of the year? “I’m sure this isn’t the first place you have seen this question asked, especially when we hit the last quarter of the year (thanks corporate diary management!). So many of us work to a January to December plan, with 31st December not only ticking over to a new year but a whole new set of goals. Usually, the first step is in this process is to work out what you have or haven’t achieved before you start compiling a whole new list (which often just include the goals from the previous year!). It doesn’t’ matter what you call them, it is a pretty universal experience. However, if you find yourself frustrated, demotivated and bored, then it’s time to simplify your goal setting.
If you are new to this blog, you may want to take a detour to some other pages; this isn’t the first time I’ve proposed we take a different approach to goal setting. Firstly, I believe that you can set goals ANY time of the year! Secondly, you need to be gentle on yourself when you don’t achieve what you hoped or planned for. 2020 has shown us that sometimes you need to rethink things, as a change in circumstances can redefine what is necessary and important.
With this in mind, I want to present a new perspective, simplifying your goal setting by presenting it in a different way. Rather than asking yourself what you want to BE, HAVE or DO, I want to ask, what do you wish to remove from your life; you can still use the BE, HAVE and DO, but consider elimination rather than an addition. This can be total removal or a reduction, either way, if you had to BE, HAVE and DO less, what could happen?
Anyone that works with me will know I’m not a coach that pushes you to create BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOALS (look it up, it’s a thing!) That works for some, but that is not my bag. In a world where I want you to create a career to enjoy, we look at balance: a less is more approach that focuses on return on investment; where it is worth placing your energy, time, attention and (sometimes) finances? So, before you start adding extra things to your life to get you where you want to be, you need to clear space. You can gain so much by giving something up.
If you are stuck on thinking about where to start, then maybe work through all the areas of your life; in the words of Marie Kondo, what is bringing you joy?
Maybe start with these prompts:
Relationships
Work
Study
Home
Mental Load
Community
Ambitions
Finances
Health
I’m setting you a challenge, to consider what you want to stop, write out what you will GAIN from simplifying your life, then write these out as goals and then make a plan! If you like an acronym, then make sure they are SMART (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and timebound), But yet again, if you really want to simplify your life, simply write
I WILL STOP (add in the behaviour/belief / action you want to stop)
Now over to you!
If you want to come and join a supportive group, to be held accountable to actually make the change, the come along to Creating Careers to Enjoy!
Want to see how I can help you create a career to enjoy? Book some time to talk here.
I’m a straight-talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance. Isn’t it time to you had a career to enjoy not endure?
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
