12 Steps to Make 2020 your Best Year Ever
12 Steps to Make 2020 Your Best Year Ever
Here is how to make 2020 your best year ever.
- Forget the troubles of the past and focus your mind on the future.
- Decide what you want to have, be and do, in 2020.
- For each goal, write down WHY you want it.
- Figure out the resources you will need in order to achieve your goal.
- Decide the information you need to gather.
- Think about the people whose cooperation you will need.
- From the information you have gathered, write a detailed plan outlining your blueprint.
- Take immediate action on the plan. Don't wait.
- Keep an eye on the results of your actions.
- Make the necessary adaptive changes to your plan, based upon the feedback results your recent actions have produced.
- Keep rewriting plans, and taking adaptive actions, until you have achieved your goal.
- Set a new goal, at a higher level of attainment.
1. Forget the troubles of the past and focus your mind on the future.
It is common for people to be conditioned by their past experience. Many people think "I have always failed in the past, so I will probably fail in the future."
But, we know from psychology that if you expect to fail, you will almost certainly will.
So, it is vital that you FORGET the past, and allow yourself the freedom say, "The past does NOT equal the future; Irrespective of the past, this year, I will succeed."
2. Decide what you want to be, have and do, in 2020.
Make a goal in each of the three types:
- What do you what to have, (own) this year?
- What do you what to be, this year?
- What do you what to do, this year?
3. For each goal, write down WHY you want it.
Have you heard the phrase, "Everything happens for a reason"?
The same phrase could be re-stated as, "Unless you have sufficient reasons, nothing happens".
The reasons you have for the goals you set, will provide you with the motivation you need.
So, take the time to write down, WHY you want each goal.
4. Figure out the resources you will need in order to achieve your goal.
In order to achieve your goals, you will probably need to gather resources, such as, money, technology or time. Make a list of how you will find these resources.
5. Decide the information you need.
In order to achieve your goal, you will need to gain more information. Make a list of the information you need to acquire and how you will get it.
6. Think about the people whose cooperation you will need.
You will also need to gain the willing cooperation of other people. Make a list of the people, and how you might gain their willing cooperation.
7. From the information you have gathered, write a detailed plan outlining your blueprint.
Using all the notes you made, in the previous steps, write a detailed plan, outlining all the steps you need to take, in order to start moving towards your goal.
Don't worry that you don't know all the steps; you only need enough to get you started. Once you have started, you will gain the vital ingredient: momentum.
8. Take immediate action on the plan. Don't wait.
Many people have plans they never put into practice.
They make the mistake of procrastinating.
Don't put it off until tomorrow.
Start immediately to put your plan into action.
You need to gain momentum.
9. Keep an eye on the results of your actions.
The moment you start taking action, keep your eyes and ears open; observe the results your actions are creating.
Some of your actions will work well, some will not.
You need to notice what is working, and what is not.
10. Make the necessary adaptive changes to your plan, based upon the feedback results your recent actions have produced.
Treat any setbacks, difficulties and defeats, as information you need to refine and improve your original plan.
Rewrite the plans and come back stronger.
Never give in.
11. Keep rewriting plans, and taking adaptive actions, until you have achieved your goal.
You make progress by overcoming obstacles, solving problems and refining your plans.
Keep repeating the cycle until you have achieved your goals.
Then you ...
12. Set a new goal, at a higher level of attainment.
You keep moving forward by making goals and achieving them.
So, make this twelve-step system your way of life.
Definition: goal setting
Goal setting is the personal development process where you set clear aims for the future, write each aim down, build a step-by-step plan to reach it, and keep checking results so you can rewrite the plan until the aim is met.
Show CG4D Definition
- Sets clear aims for the future
- Writes each aim down in positive words
- Links each aim to a step-by-step action plan
- Reviews results often and rewrites the plan until the aim is met
Article Summary
Write your goals, build a clear plan, act today, watch the results and adapt; repeat these twelve steps and you turn any year into your best year yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
Why should I forget past failures when setting goals for the new year?
How do I choose the right goals for the year ahead?
Why must I write down the reason behind each goal?
What resources should I note when building my action plan?
How can I beat procrastination and start acting now?
How often should I review and adjust my plan?
What should I do after I achieve a goal?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
A 2024 YouGov poll of 2,051 UK adults found that 62% of people who write down their yearly goals report higher life satisfaction, compared with 21% of those who set no goals. A 2022 University of Stockholm study tracking 1,066 people for twelve months showed 59% achieved their New Year resolution when they created a specific action plan and monitored progress, but only 23% succeeded without a plan.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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Further Reading in Goal Setting
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Six Ways to Make 2021 Your Best Year Ever
Make this year your best: set ambitious goals, gain knowledge, prioritise time, build self confidence, cut negatives and generate energy with six proven habits.
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12 Steps to Make 2020 Your Best Year Ever
Discover a 12-step goal setting strategy that turns New Year goals into daily action. Learn to plan, act, adapt and keep moving forward for your best year yet.
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How to Create Smart Goals
Create SMART goals that stick. Use eight questions to set specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound targets and plan success with our goal tool
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When to Use the P.D.C.A. Model
Learn when and how to use the PDCA model after setting SMART goals. Follow Plan-Do-Check-Act steps to drive improvement, lift quality and hit targets.
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If you want to achieve goals faster, try slowing down
Slow, careful action cuts errors and saves time. Learn how a measured pace helps you achieve goals faster in work, driving, learning and speaking. Start today.
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