As the calendar clicks over to 2022, we’re all probably thinking about how to become better people in the new year. Loads of people set resolutions every year, fully intending to follow through. Most don’t make it halfway through the year. Of the ones who keep a resolution past June, less than 10% feel like they’ve successfully kept the resolution all the way through to the next calendar change.

This year, consider altering your approach to New Year’s Resolutions. Instead of making a resolution, try setting SMART goals. This system of following through will undoubtedly help you become the person you want to be in 2022.

SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based.

Specific

Many resolutions putter out early in the year because they are too vague. When setting your New Year’s goal, remember to put it in terms of the 5 W’s: 

• What do you want to accomplish?
• Who will be involved?
• Where are you going to do it?
• Which resources do you need to accomplish the goal?
• Why do you want to accomplish it?

This last W, Why?, is probably the most important to keep in mind. If you don’t know why you want to to do, you won’t stay motivated to get it done.

Measurable

Without some clearly measurable criteria, how will you know when you’ve reached the goal? Consider breaking a big long-term goal into smaller increments that you can track throughout the year. The Specific carries over into the Measurable as well. Doing “more” or “less” of something isn’t really measurable. Put an actual figure to it.

Achievable

Unrealistic goals are almost always doomed to fail. Taking on a challenge is one thing, but setting a goal that you cannot possibly reach will be both disappointing and disheartening. People can easily give up on an unachievable goal. Reaching a closer goal will probably give you the motivation to set another goal, this one a little more of a stretch. Don’t underestimate the power of success to generate even more success.

Relevant

If no one really wants or needs for you to stick to your resolution, not even yourself, you probably won’t. Set a goal that actually matters to you and that will bring about real change that matters.

Time-based

When the year stretches out before us, we feel like we have all the time in the world. Putting a step off gets easier and easier until eventually we forget that we were ever going to do something. Establishing clear deadlines will help you stick to them. Remember to keep these deadlines realistic, as well.

Good Luck

The Rock Hill Coca-Cola Bottling Company wishes you all the best successes in achieving your SMART goals for 2022. Happy New Year!