Goal setting doesn’t need to be hard—it needs to be achievable
Think of the common goals we often set in early January. We want to drink less, exercise more or book an overdue checkup. We resolve to get our finances under better control, plan for the future or find new ways to increase our income. We set out to be kinder to others and to spend more time with family and other significant people in our lives.
Despite the best of intentions—including seeking new ways to tackle our resolutions or goals—the list can become overwhelming before we even get started. And suddenly, we’re back to the same list at the beginning of a new year. The catch is, we tend to already know how we can make changes in our lives. But knowing and doing are very different, and when we don’t follow through, it’s easy for self-doubt and personal judgement to creep in. That’s not a mindset where growth can thrive.
Keep it simple
Consider the title of this article. What do you notice? Simple statements that are easy to remember: be healthy, be wealthy, be wise. If you treat each of these as anchor points for goal setting, they can help guide you when things are overwhelming or you just don’t feel like doing the thing you know you should.
For example, whenever you find yourself pushing back bedtime for one more episode or forgoing that glass of water for another cup of coffee, recall the statement: “be healthy.” Are you making choices that align with this? If not, repeat it again. You’ll likely find that by gently reminding yourself of your overall goal, the steps to reaching it (like getting proper rest and giving your body the sustenance it needs) will seem much more manageable. Easy cues like this can help with maintaining an achievement mindset, which creates an excellent foundation for your goals.
Awareness is key
If, like many Canadians, you’re not as prepared for retirement as you’d like, repeat “be wealthy” while staring at that irresistible bargain. You’ll likely find yourself reconsidering: “Do I really need it, or do I need to build my bank account more?”
It’s easy to feel like saving for future income is tomorrow’s priority, or to brush off impulsive spending because there’s always next paycheck. Take “be wealthy” as a reminder that there’s no time like the present to focus on financial goal setting, whether you want to bolster your savings, create a budget or improve your financial literacy. If you’re not sure of your next step, accessing financial guidance through your Arcora EAP is a wonderful place to start.
Wealth has many meanings
We tend to equate wealth with money, but there’s much more to it than that! It also means having solid relationships, being part of a community and growing and maintaining friendships.
To become wealthy in this sense, remind yourself to “be wise”. This applies to everything from engaging your brain before speaking to making good choices in activities, friends, jobs and habits. It’s wise to reserve judgment before you know the facts. It’s wise to pick up the phone and admit when you’re wrong. It’s wise to recognize that while everyone has shortcomings, you can also make better decisions in the interest of personal growth. Thankfully, you don’t have to do it alone.
Our EAP counselling can help you not only reflect on areas you’d like to improve in your life, but take meaningful action. Reach out to Arcora for caring, non-judgemental support from a professional who can offer new perspectives, help you shift your mindset and get you on the right track toward reaching your goals.
Link copied to clipboard