New Year, New You
Setting Goals That Stick
Presented by Julie Millett, market specialist and top-producing Realtor
with more than 25 years of luxury real estate experience.
Serving Arizona, Nevada, and Utah
As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, we celebrate our way out of the old and into the new. Often the transition from one year to the next brings moments of reflection, optimism, and positive intentions for the year ahead. While it is common to set “New Year’s Resolutions”, it is truly UNcommon to make those goals stick.
Here are a few hints to help as we embark on 2025.
One: Limit the Number of Goals
Did you know that the brain cannot focus on too much change at once? It needs time to establish and integrate new habits. Setting too many goals at once makes all of the goals unachievable.
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Experts suggest limiting goals to just one or two at a time.
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Experts also suggest working on one goal for 12-weeks before moving on to the next.
Two: Prioritize
One big problem with goal success is actually goal selection. But when the list of things you want to change is lengthy, how do you choose just one?
Here are some questions to help you narrow your focus.
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What feels challenging, but doable?
Choosing a goal that is too easy - or too hard - can easily derail results.
Focus on a goal you can stick with and also be proud of accomplishing.
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What lights you up?
If it doesn’t light you up, it’s probably not worth your attention and focus.
Find the goals that will excite and delight you!!
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What price are you willing to pay to reach the goal you select?
It is a truth that anything worth having is going to come at a cost.
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How invested are you in the outcome of your goal?
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How would you feel about yourself if you reached it?
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How would you feel about yourself if you didn’t?
Be sure to choose a goal that you are willing to put in the work for.
And a personal favorite…
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What one goal will have the biggest impact on all the others?
Sometimes a small habit can be what incites the most change.
Look at goals through the lens of impact to clarify where to start.
Three: Design Intentional Outcomes
Before starting, employ all your senses to envision how your life will be different once you achieve the goal.
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What colors do you see?
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Who are you with?
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What are you doing?
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What do you feel?
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What words, sounds, etc., do you hear?
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If you could taste it, what would it taste like?
And then write this down using good old-fashioned paper and pen.
Four: Attach Action(s) to the goal
Growth and change require action. It is not enough to just “set it and forget it” when it comes to reaching your goals. Instead, define what actionable steps you will take.
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What is the first action to take?
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Then what is the second, the third, and the fourth?
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Seek all the actions needed to achieve.
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Write these steps down.
Five: Add Specifics and Measurables to the Action
We’ve determined the duration will be 12-weeks, but let’s get even more specific than that.
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How many days per week will you commit to this goal?
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How much time per day?
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Where in your day/week are you going to schedule the action to ensure you do it?
Even if the action or goal itself is difficult to quantify, the time spent in the goal is always measurable. Adding these specifics and measurables set you up for success.
Six: BE CONSISTENT!!
This is so essential that it deserves the capital letters.
And the exclamation point.
And the underline.
And… Well, you get the idea.
You simply cannot achieve a goal without consistency.
To help with this:
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Start small
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Include the action as part of your daily schedule
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Habit stack (Journal for 5-10 minutes right after brushing your teeth every day; or read a few pages of a motivational book while you drink your morning coffee.)
Consistency is built on small and deliberate actions repeated over a period of time - and inevitably leads to achievement.
Seven: Find Pleasure in the Pursuit
It always feels great to reach a goal you have set. Yet, more often than not the greatest joy lies in the pursuit.
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Stay focused on the here and now.
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Embrace the life lessons.
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Engage feelings of gratitude for the struggles and triumphs of the process.
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Find something to celebrate about YOU every single day.
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Watch your confidence and excitement grow.
Final Thoughts:
Setting New Year’s goals is a great opportunity to grow, improve, and create the life you desire. Following the steps outlined above can transform your goals into lasting achievement. So, take a moment to dream big, plan wisely, and step confidently into the New Year.
Your goals are within reach! All it takes is commitment and a clear roadmap to get there.
Cheers to 2025!
Serving some of the sunniest locations in the continental US, Julie specializes in retirement, gated and golf communities and has extensive real estate experience in Southern Utah; Cave Creek and Wickenburg, Arizona; and Southern Nevada.
With unparalleled market knowledge and a commitment to personalized service, Julie is the premier choice for discerning buyers and sellers of luxury homes.
435-705-3298
