The New Year has arrived. It’s a time filled with new starts, goals, hopes and aspirations. As the clock strikes midnight, many of us feel as if we have a clean slate to walk into the next year. Resolutions are set, be that personal of professional; some people want to workout more, excel at networking, meanwhile others want to develop their confidence at work, and the list goes on… and on. Around 30% of people in the UK are setting resolutions for 2024. But we have to wonder, will they last? Resolutions typically have a way of dwindling out before they’ve even started. Why? They’re too big picture. It’s great to have a vision of what you want to achieve, but break it down into smaller challenges that are sustainable. Turn your resolutions into a tool to challenge your development
Breaking it down:
Consider the resolution of reading more. Instead of setting the target of reading for 1 hour every day, and then realising after a week you don’t have that kind of time, try reading for 10 minutes everyday or reading in the little 5 minute gaps in your day.
Challenge Your Consistency
When it comes to achieving goals consistency is king! What often happens is we stop working towards our goals for one or two days and then we get out of sync. We admit defeat, I guess we’ll wait until next year? No, we continue. We develop consistent routines that are flexible to ensure that we keep chipping away at our goals. Challenge your ability to be consistent but not rigid, that is the first step to achieving success in your endeavours.
Develop Your Ability to Take Accountability
Take a moment to reflect. When you set a goal or a challenge do you typically follow it through or do the words become empty space? Do you take accountability for your actions or perhaps lack thereof? This is a vital factor in ensuring success in both personal and professional pursuits. It involves acknowledging both achievements and setbacks, understanding the factors that contribute to each outcome, and learning from the experiences. This level of self-awareness not only fosters personal development but also challenges individuals to make more informed decisions in the future.
By fostering a mindset of accountability, individuals are more likely to turn their aspirations into tangible realities, transforming the seemingly empty space of words into meaningful actions that propel them towards success and fulfilment.
Challenge yourself to Learn
Often times we set ourselves challenges, but overlook the need for continuous learning in our endeavours. Explore a variety of learning avenues, such as development programmes, workshops, and educational platforms. Incorporate reading into your routine, whether through books, articles, or podcasts, and actively seek out opportunities to attend conferences or seminars related to your field of interest. Establish a consistent learning schedule, practice regularly, and seek feedback to refine your understanding. Document your progress, challenge assumptions, and stay curious.
I think as a species we often neglect continuous learning and development out of fear of failure, or not being good enough, or not understanding, etc . However, I would challenge this fear, what is the other option? Stagnancy, mediocrity, and unfulfillment.
Use 2024 as an opportunity to develop yourself, not just by achieving a specific goal but to develop the skills you need to achieve your goals. The key takeaway here is to develop your self-awareness. If you’re able to admit when you’re wrong, learn from your mistakes, and consistently work at improving your skills and knowledge, you’re far more likely to overcome any challenges.
Check out some of our resources to support you in your development:
