Achieve your 2009 goals: Start with the right list

January is an optimistic month, full of goals and New Year’s resolutions set in hopes of making the next 12 months better than the last. Unfortunately, that optimism may quickly turn to frustration when it’s time to start attacking those goals.

Making a New Year’s resolution is simple. It’s following through with your resolutions that is usually the difficult part. By the time March rolls around, much of what we planned for in January has fallen by the wayside and we’re left with disappointment.

Whether it involves improving your safety training program or creating more learning and development opportunities in your organization, sticking to your New Year’s goals doesn't have to seem impossible.

Increase the probability that you’ll actually follow through with the resolutions you set in January by focusing on how you determine your goal list.

In a recent article from our Workplace Training & Development Learning Library, the author suggests using a new approach to goal setting that may work out better for you this year.

Follow these five steps to goal-reaching success:

1. Outline your priorities. What is most important in your life right now? List your top five priorities. You’re not thinking about goals yet, just the things that matter most to you.


2. Identify one goal. Determine one major goal for each priority you outlined in the first step. Make sure your goal is achievable, measurable, directly related to your priority and within your control.


3. List the steps. Look at each goal and list the steps you need to take in order to achieve it.


4. Set deadlines. Once you’ve identified the steps, create deadlines for each step. Be realistic with your timelines and consider other responsibilities as you assign each date.


5. Keep goals close by. Put all of your goals, steps and due dates into your daily planner and carry it with you every day. Check it frequently to make sure you’re staying on task.