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- Starting 2023: Reflections, Resolutions and Goals | Weekbook #7
Starting 2023: Reflections, Resolutions and Goals | Weekbook #7
Setting new year’s resolutions is common practice for many people, however this noble concept typically sets people up for failure, rather...
Setting new year’s resolutions is common practice for many people, however this noble concept typically sets people up for failure, rather than success. In fact, one 2016 study conducted in the United States showed that just 9% of Americans who set a resolution felt they were successful in keeping it [1]. With such high rates of failure, how can the odds of improvement be increased? It starts with reflection.
The start of each new year brings an opportunity to reflect on the previous 12 months and to look ahead to the next. It is a moment to be proud of the successes, whilst evaluating the failures with an empathetic approach. A time to assess the person you were and to visualise the person you want to be. Conducting this practice enables a far superior approach to resolutions, goal setting.
According to a Harvard business review study [2], people who set goals are 10 times more successful than those who don’t, statistics which are far more favourable than new year’s resolutions. Not only that, the raw chance of completing goals is far superior, with publicly committed goals boasted a 65% success rate, with those people who choose to have an accountability partner increasing this even further to 95% [3].
It is evident then that goal setting is the best approach to self-improvement in a new year, but what does a good goal look like?
To be effective, goals must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-boxed, or S.M.A.R.T for short. Starting small is also generally advisable for those who haven’t followed this approach previously as building momentum can be critical in moments of turmoil. An excellent detailed overview can be found here.
In conclusion, for anyone who is serious about personal development in 2023, scrap the idea of new year’s resolutions immediately, focusing instead on setting goals and staying accountable to them.
Finally, in the spirit of being transparent and publicly accountable, you will find my 2023 goals below and I’ll be tracking them weekly at the bottom of each weekbook.
2023 Goals
Physical and Mental Health
Lose 5kg by the end of the year, starting from my 2023 starting weight of 74.5kg.
Complete a half marathon by year end.
Complete sub-25 minute 5k by end June.
Run sub-60 minute 10k by year end.
Achieve 100kg bench press.
Achieve 100kg deadlift.
Achieve 100kg squat.
Personal Growth
Publish 52 blogs in 2023.
Read 24 books by year end.
Complete 12 discomfort challenges, one per month*.
*to be shared in a future blog.
Book Notes
All notes are from the book I am currently reading, Radical Candor by Kim Scott.
On declining performance: “If the problem is a temporary one, it is best to give people the time they need to get back on track.”
On people who are struggling to perform: “Everyone can be exceptional at something…” therefore it is the responsibility of leadership to help them find that something.
On culture: “Create a culture of listening.” Listening is the most powerful tool in a manager’s arsenal, but one most don’t know how to use effectively.
Try this Podcast
Ending Quote
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” –Les Brown
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Reference Material
[1] https://discoverhappyhabits.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/