2. Getting Specific with your New Year's Resolution

Welcome back to the "Weekly Seed." Last week we gained some perspective on what your values are by looking at the M and the I of the Mighty Oak. You are much more likely to achieve your goal if it aligns with your values. What did you discover? What is important to you? What are you passionate about? What do you need more of? What areas of your life hit your heart? If you set your goal based off of these questions, you are one step closer to that Mighty Oak. This week we are going to get specific and create a plan to make it happen by looking at the G, H and T.

M - Mindset

I - Identify your goals

G - Get specific

H - Have a vision

T - Time-bound

Y - You

- PAUSE AND BREATHE

O - Own it

A - Be Accountable

K - Know when to celebrate

Get Specific

The goal you set must be specific; this way you can track your progress and know when you have reached that desired outcome. Get out your pen and paper. Based on your values from last week, write down 3 things you'd like to do differently or change. Include as much detail as possible. Answer the What? When? How? Why? Now pick just one to focus on for now. Take a close look at the goal you have chosen. Is this goal something you truly want? Is it important enough to spend the time and effort on? Is it realistic? Does it "hit your heart?" For example, I have set the goal to lose weight. This is a very general goal. If I get specific it looks something like this... What - I want to lose 20 pounds. When - by Canada Day. How - I will watch what I eat and get more active. Why - because I want to be healthy for myself and my family. You will see that within this goal lies steps that I will need to take to reach that end result of losing 20 pounds. Now it's time to create a plan. Get creative with this. Dig out your crayons, cut and paste pictures and break down your goal into smaller steps. Make it personal. Make it fun. Outline each step by answering the whats, whens, hows and whys. This is the one that I created. I preface this with the fact that I am by no means an artist.

Have a Vision

Your vision will bring you back to your values. What does life look like once you've achieved your goal? Close your eyes and visualize it. It is so important to know the whys. When I see myself being 20 pounds lighter I see myself playing tag with my son, walking my dog, wearing that pink sweater that hasn't fit me in years, laying on the beach in a bikini and living life to the fullest. These are the things that will motivate me. Write your goal down and put it in a visible spot. Put a picture on your phone home page that reminds you of that end result you are about to achieve. To see it is to believe it.

Time-bound

A timeline creates a sense of urgency, a commitment, motivating you to stay on schedule and reach the finish line. To succeed you need a good plan that breaks down your goal into understandable tasks all with deadlines to achievement. First set the date/time of when you will celebrate reaching your goal. Now look at all the individual steps or subgoals to get there. Attach a "to be completed by" to each of those steps. Try to stick to the plan you set as closely as possible. To create your timeline use whatever keeps you on that path to success. Whether it is your phone calendar, a written list or something more creative, do what works for you. Make it simple and revisit it regularly.

You have a plan to move forward. Now it is time to take action. Remember that a Mighty Oak did not become "Mighty" overnight. This will take time. With every step you take you will see that little acorn grow and grow. Before you know it will achieve that "Mighty" title.

Thank you for reading The Weekly Seed.

Laura Ballantine