From my point of view, one should not wait until an arbitrary date (let's say 31/12 or 1/1) to make new year goals / resolutions. Setting goals and making and/or renewing resolutions should be a daily affair, if one has the heart and will, depending on what the matter is.
Anyway, I found something really helpful from the web.
Use the S.M.A.R.T acronym (recommended by management expert Peter Drucker) as a guideline for setting objectives, be they personal or work-related. There are many sites with references to this idea globally. So, I'd just highlight the main points. Examples have been modified so that they are more locally adaptable (in fact, to myself. Haha!). However, the core/original S.M.A.R.T context is not altered in any way.
Specific
Be detailed, not general about setting goals. E.g. Don't just say, "Save more money each month." One should say, "Save at least RM200 each month."
Measurable
Don't just say, "Go to church meetings more often." Change it to, "Attend church meetings, at least every Lord's Day morning."
Achievable
Don't make a habit out of saying, "I will be the best employee of the year." Come on, no one is perfect. Ambitious goals don't necessarily mean achievable. Make your resolution something that's more possible, such as, "Improve next year's performance review by at least one grade."
Realistic
No matter how competent one is in setting goals, they should be realistic based on what resources and tools available on hand.
Timely
In summary, set "deadlines" to track progress. Don't leave "back doors". Most resolutions fail if one is not keen on getting them done.
Here's something I got from live.com:
One more thing, check out the late Benjamin Franklin's Plan of "13 Virtues", inspired by Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."
1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.
2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.
4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.
5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.
6. Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice: Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.
11. Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
12. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Happy 2009! Have a great year ahead!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments