The Four R's of Goal Setting

It’s that time of year again! Time to set our goals for 2025.

Not sure about you, sometimes I go into this time of year full-force, like a Star Trek ship hitting warp speed about to explore strange, new worlds (that’s for all my nerdy friends out there).

Other times, I come into this time and would like to do ANYTHING than set new goals for the coming year. Seriously, anything - including waiting in line at the DMV.

Why is that? Why is it sometimes I’ve set my next yrs goals back in Sept, and other years I’m lucky if I have my goals before Feb of the new year?

For me, part of it is either I don’t know where to start or this past year all the goals went haywire, so why try? Or it could be a myriad of many other things including the weather and I’d rather sit on the couch watching the Hallmark Christmas channel drinking hot cocoa in a warm blanket and shut out the world.

Well, wherever you’re at this year, we have hope!

First, no denying the new Year will come whether you’re ready for it or sitting on the couch... so here are a few motivational tips to help us with our goals, the 4 R’s of goal setting:

1. Review. Take some time (even in a blanket w/hot cocoa) and review the past year. What was fun? What was not so fun? What went according to plan and what didn’t? What did you get accomplished and what will now be on next years list? Spend some time reviewing, write down your thoughts, spend some time with yourself and review.

2. Re-evaluate. What you wrote from above, evaluate the goals. Were they realistic (with a push), did something unforeseen happen and you had to pivot or change direction? What was accomplished? Celebrate all the wins you did have!

3. Re-define. Sometimes we write down goals and aren’t clear on why that’s a goal. Did your goals move you forward the way you intended? Are your goals clear? Did you have a defined path for success? When thinking about the new year and new or redefined goals are you clear as to the goal’s purpose in your life (why this is important to you) and you can see the path for success?

4. Re-engage. Which of these are goals and which are dreams that need to have goals attached? Get excited about watching your dreams come true! Write down the reasons you’re motivated about your goals and dreams. When these are actualized what will the results be, what will these give you and your family? Dream about all the areas of your life: spiritual, health/fitness, relationships, financial, career, travel/adventure, personal development, fun/recreation, and more.

Finally, share. Share your dreams, goals, aspirations with someone close to you. With your family (get them excited about their goals!), with close friends, with your coach!, with others that can be excited about your dreams with you.

Be vulnerable. Life is lived on the other side of fear. And we only have one. Life. Live it. Remember, life is short... LIVE IT BIG!

-Traci