How to set yourself up for 2022

We’re already over a week into 2022, but Happy New Year!

Have you set goals? New Year’s Resolutions? Is this the year you find a new job? Start your side hustle? Get fit? Start a new hobby? Learn a new language? Do you have a word or intention for 2022?

No? That. Is. Absolutely. Fine.

These days there’s so much pressure to have 2022 all worked out. But you just made it through 2021 and that was enough. Maybe you don’t have the energy, maybe you just don’t want to. Maybe your intention is just to flow into 2022 and see how it goes. Congratulations.

If this is you, give yourself permission to do that. Enjoy this choice. This doesn’t make you lazy or unmotivated. Don’t feel guilty about not setting any goals or feel that you need to “achieve something” or have it all worked out.

On the other hand, did you enter 2022 with a different focus? Wanting to move forward, clearer on wanting change and intent on creating that? Have you already set those goals, resolutions and intentions?

Because the end of 2021 felt like mid year to me, 2022 naturally evolved into goal setting for me. But it’s not the same for me every year. This year, I’m developing a new group coaching program that I’ll be launching soon because my vision is to help the next generation of change makers in Cambodia. I’ll finish 2 courses I started last year. I’m going to start writing my book. My theme is Authenticity. Showing up as my authentic self more and only working with authentically aligned clients - because this is one of my core values.

If you need help with goal setting for 2022, here are some tips that I use:

1. Choose one or two areas to focus on. This could be work, health, finances, family, relationships, social life, relationships, personal development, spirituality. Focusing on one area at a time is more effective than trying to create change in all areas. Don’t overwhelm yourself with a long set of goals or it’s likely you won’t achieve them. Plus, leave room for flexibility.

2. Identify your goals. Make them SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely). Eg “I want to start that side hustle I keep talking about” could translate to: every Tuesday and Thursday evening for an hour and each Saturday morning for 2 hours, I will work on my business idea and niche, develop a timeline and strategise my product or service launch for the next 2 months.  

3. Know your why. For each goal, answer why you want to achieve that goal? And then go deeper. For example, you’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Why? Because you find it hard to fit into the mould in corporate. Why? Because you have alot of creativity and a different personality and you can’t explore or show these in your role. You can do this with your own business. Why? Because creativity is one of your core values but it’s not valued in your role. And you’re scared to leave your role because it’s familiar and you need the pay. Now we’re getting somewhere.  

4. Action steps. For each goal, what action steps do you need to take? Break these down into smaller action steps on a monthly, weekly and daily basis.

5. Obstacles. What are your biggest obstacles to achieving these goals? Think about these. Knowing them upfront is not about deterring yourself but being aware of what needs to be addressed or looked at differently. Or if it requires  new goals to be set.

6. Accountability. How will you hold yourself accountable so these goals and action steps don’t just remain concepts? Who will you tell? Where will you keep or publish them? What system or tracking will you use to keep yourself on the path? How will you know once a goal is reached?

7. Support. What support or help do you need to achieve these goals? Should you work with someone else or pay for a service? Do you need or want to undertake a course or upskill? Do you need expert advice? Do you need a coach? What other resources are available to assist you?

If you want help with goal setting and accountability for 2022, I have limited 1:1 spots available for a 90 minute coaching session to help you with this. Please contact me to book your free discovery call and find out more!

Happy New Year!