How are your 2020 Goals progressing? The new year and new decade is well underway. By February, statistically speaking, most people have long abandoned any New Year’s Resolutions they made. This happens for a number of reasons, but personally I believe it boils down to not appropriately setting goals in the first place.

The “Why”

Oxford defines a goal as the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result. Most people have multiple generic things they desire such as “to be happy,” “to lose weight,” “travel more,” or “to spend less money.” Rarely do they understand their own personal and specific motivation behind this desire.

It is common to receive blank stares when I ask “Why do you want to ____?”   As my clients would tell you, before “goals” are even mentioned, a very in depth discussion on personal priorities and motivations is had. I spend time on this with my clients because doing things differently in order to achieve a goal is not easy. Since everyone only has the same twenty four hours in the same seven day week, to the individual must consciously chose to do things intentionally different. Usually this means picking an uncomfortable option over the easy route.  When you do not have a very clearly defined “Why” behind your “What” you are far less inclined to make the choice to protect what it is you are prioritizing. After you understand why your “What” is important to you, you are mentally prepared to put in the effort, then specific goal framework can be defined.

The “How”

Setting goals is hard. This is where most people get tripped up with goals and why some folks abandon goals, dreams, and resolutions all together. If attaining goals was easy or intuitive, you would have already attained whatever it is you are aiming for.

Let’s say you are going to visit a friend at a new restaurant in town for lunch. You type in the destination address in your navigation app and hit “Go!” Your phone conveniently already knows your exact current location, but in terms of your goals do you know yours? If only there was a Navigation App for your goals. Upon clicking the icon, the App thinks for a minute and Viola! there is a little blue location dot clearly stating your current, actual position. You type in your destination and in another few seconds this nifty App will tell you how long it will take you to go where you want to and give you a few options on tolls, highways, or transportation methods. After you select the best way (fastest, cheapest, scenic, etc.), the App lists out the sequential steps of how to get you from A to B.

But it isn’t that easy. You may have an idea of the destination once you reach your goal, but accurately, honestly, and humbly identifying the origination, your present location, is a challenge. I help my clients assess where they are and develop actionable steps to where they want to be.

On Saturday, February 29th from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., I will be conducting a workshop on goals in Montrose to define (or adjust) goals you will achieve. After this dedicated time to focus on your personal Why and How, you will set out in the trajectory to achieve your goals. Whether you have already defined goals, broke resolutions, detest goals in general, or just want to not be running around with your hair on fire, this workshop is for you! I will guide a small group of professional women through some thought provoking self assessment activities (the “why”) leading into a very detailed goal setting activity (the “how”). The workshop is primarily a dedicated working time to clearly define and design goals to achieve. During the working time, I provide tips and suggestions to improve time management. Discussion between the group is also valuable in providing different perspectives as well as accountability going forward to achieve your goal! Due to the personal and detailed nature of this event, registration is limited to six women. Be sure to sign up early to ensure your seat; registration closes on February 25, 2020 at 5 p.m. Registration is $125 per person and includes workshop materials, two hours of hands-on content, and breakfast. Click here to register.