The new year is upon us. As I reflect on the many opportunities of 2024, I was blessed to travel both professionally and personally, achieve recognition for accomplishments, and spend lots of time with family. There were days when I wondered how I was going to get everything done, but somehow was able to check it off the list. As I listened to one of the conference speakers, Alex Sheen from “Because I Said I Would” he stirred thoughts within me to ponder what action I could take in 2025 so that I was in more control of my time and not just letting it slip away without feelings of satisfaction. I hope the following few notes that I took at our Annual Extension Conference might encourage you to look with joy towards the new year.
As we think about work, what is it that you are passionately working towards? If you aren’t sure, take a pencil and paper and answer some of the questions below: (more can be found at www.winona.edu/resilience)
Let these questions help you find your passion and goal
- What would you do if you could not fail?
- What would you do if you were not limited by money?
- What would you like to hear at your funeral? In other words, what do you consider your contributions or accomplishments?
- Who inspires you the most?
- With whom would you like to surround yourself with??
- What gives you a smile? Recall the happiest moments in your life: What were you doing? What would a perfect day look like?
As you answer the above questions and ponder or talk them through with co-workers or family members, what is the priority you would like to commit to? They talked about how if others will hold you accountable then we will look forward to starting a new project or completing something that we started. Some individuals also find it helpful to identify a word or theme for the year. It takes a little practice to implement that mindset, but I have found it useful as I plan the year. Because I know there are going to be many changes in my life this year I’m going to adopt the word “Pause”. And I’d love to hear what word you chose.
Set specific, attainable, and detailed goals
To implement our goals for next year we need to be specific about how we are going to make them happen. Many of the common ones are: I’m going to lose weight; save money; stop smoking; eat healthier; manage stress better; improve relationships; or improve procrastination to name a few. For us to know that we are successful, we need to know the details. For example - how much money do you want to save? Can you save that much from your budget every pay? At the end of the year, you will know you were successful if you saved $100 a month for a total of $1,200.
Whatever your goal might be, break it down by days/weeks/or months to hold yourself accountable for reaching it. These are guidelines to help change behavior, so post them where you will see them every day like the kitchen window, the bathroom mirror, your car visor and your desk at work. Personally, I need reminders to motivate me to do one thing or to let go of other habits, in order to be successful in reaching a new goal.
I think I can say, we all have dreams and goals of things we want to do in life. This is a process to help all of us feel successful and to lead a life of passion and purpose, I hope you find them helpful.
Melinda Hill is an OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Educator and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or hill.14@osu.edu
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This article was previously published in The Daily Record.