Have you ever seen the movie “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty?” It’s that classic film about a man who daydreams about far-off adventures and explores different worlds with a miniature camera he calls “Walter.” The film was a hit when it came out in 1947, and its message about the importance of living life to the fullest still resonates with audiences more than 60 years later. It’s the perfect movie to think about as we approach the new year. After all, this is the time of year when many people make ambitious goals for the new year. For some of us, that means losing weight and keeping it off. For others, it may mean quitting a job or reinventing ourselves. However you choose to begin the new year, here’s some inspiration to get you started.
Why is making a goal important?
We set goals each year to help us live life to the fullest. These are often health-related, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. Other goals may involve more personal development and self-actualization—think about starting a new hobby, for example. But what does it mean to have a goal? And is there value in setting one?
Setting goals has been shown to make people happier, healthier, and more successful than those who don’t set goals at all. So how do you create an effective goal that will get you where you want to go?
Why is goal setting difficult?
Setting goals is an important part of the new year. However, it can be difficult to set goals because you’re waiting for something big to happen or waiting for all the stars to align. But when you look at the movie “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” you realize that even small and realistic goals are worth chasing.
How can we set attainable goals?
Rest assured that it’s possible to set achievable goals. The first step is to think about your current situation and what will make the most sense for you. For instance, if you have a family, it may not be realistic to quit your job. If you live in a rural area, it may be challenging to start a new business.
Next, consider what your end goal would look like if you achieved it. What would accomplishing this goal mean for your life? Would more time with family or friends make you happier? Would having more control over your work/life balance make you happier?
Finally, write down some specific short-term goals that will help get you there. These might include taking a class or finding an apprenticeship or internship related to your end goal. Goal setting can help keep us on track and give us the motivation we need for change throughout the year.
Exercises to help you set your goals
Setting goals can be a difficult task. It’s often hard to know where to start, and it can be even more difficult to keep your motivation up and ensure that you are still meeting your goals every day. But don’t worry! We have some exercises that may help you set your goals. One exercise is the “100-days-of-exercise” challenge. You simply start with a goal of 100 days of exercise, and you try to do something physical every day until you reach 100 days. Here are some other exercises to help you set your goals:
-Create an inspirational board on Pinterest or Instagram for yourself with images that motivate and inspire you
-Find a quote or saying that inspires you and place it somewhere in your house as a reminder
-Take a short walk outside each morning before breakfast and take note of what inspires you
Conclusion
We often set goals for ourselves, but quickly find ourselves overwhelmed and unmotivated. This might be because of the following three reasons:
1. Goals are often not specific
2. Goals are too high
3. There is no accountability
In order to set attainable goals, it is important to include specific, realistic and achievable goals that are within your reach. Your goals need to be tailored to your own personal situation and though it may seem like a difficult task to do, it is possible! Start with this exercise:
Step 1: Write down your daily goals
Step 2: Break these down into weekly or monthly goals
Step 3: Break these down into yearly or long-term goals
Step 4: List these specific, realistic and achievable goals in priority order
Step 5: Once you have your list of goals, set a timeline for when you want to complete them by
Step 6: Create a plan for how you will achieve each goal
My goal is to make an illustrated poster design.
6. Create a plan for how you will achieve each goal