Fire Side Stories

Tag: resolutions

  • Goals over Wishes

    You can have goals and wishes, but if you want to achieve something, those goals must be SMART. Goals without a plan are simply wishes, and like the saying goes, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Many of us have plenty of “wishes,” influenced by childhood experiences like blowing out candles and making a wish, wishing upon a shooting star, or dreaming of a genie granting us three wishes. Let me ask you, out of all those wishes you have made in the past; how many have come true? Perhaps a few, because we inadvertently fulfill them ourselves, but most wishes do not come true. However, if we turn our wishes into SMART goals and create a plan, those goals can be achieved.

    Let’s look at an important tool to help you prepare for your best year yet in 2025—SMART goals.

    What are SMART Goals?

    SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This framework is used by both corporations and individuals to achieve their goals and objectives and is a formula that works well.

    Specific

    Clearly define the goal. What exactly do you want to achieve? The goal should be precise and unambiguous.

    Measurable

    Establish criteria for measuring progress and success. How will you know when you have achieved your goal? Use quantifiable indicators.

    Achievable

    Ensure the goal is realistic and attainable. Do you have the resources and capabilities to achieve it? Set challenging yet attainable objectives.

    Relevant

    Make sure the goal is meaningful and aligned with your broader life or career aspirations. Why is this goal important to you? Ensure it’s worth your effort.

    Time-Bound

    Set a clear timeframe for achieving the goal. When do you want to achieve it? Deadlines help create a sense of urgency and keep you focused.

    Example of a SMART Goal

    • Specific: I want to complete a 5K run.
    • Measurable: I will track my running distance and time each week.
    • Achievable: I will train by running three times a week, gradually increasing my distance.
    • Relevant: Completing a 5K will improve my health and fitness, which is a personal priority.
    • Time-Bound: I will complete my 5K run within the next 3 months.

    Using the SMART framework helps you clarify your goals, focus your efforts, and increase your chances of achieving them. Ready to set your next big goal? Let’s make it SMART and start working towards it together!

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    Thanks for stopping by the fire,

    Coach Dennis

  • Resolution or Goal?

    Let’s begin with a little information about “New Years Resolutions.” The name “New Year’s resolutions” originates from the tradition of setting goals or promises at the start of the new year, a symbolic time for fresh beginnings. This practice dates to ancient civilizations.

    The Babylonians were among the first to make New Year’s resolutions over 4,000 years ago. During their 12-day festival called Akitu, they made promises to their gods to pay their debts and return borrowed items. Similarly, the Romans made promises of good behavior at the start of the new year, which began in January, a month named after Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings and transitions.

    By calling these goals “New Year’s resolutions,” we continue a long-standing tradition of using the new year as an opportunity for self-improvement and positive change.

    When we talk about “resolutions,” we’re tapping into a powerful concept defined by Merriam-Webster. At its core, a resolution involves the act or process of resolving. But what does resolving really mean? It’s about successfully dealing with something—clearing up challenges and reaching firm decisions. This is the essence of setting a New Year’s resolution: it’s a commitment to tackle life’s hurdles head-on and make decisive, positive changes. By embracing this mindset, you’re setting yourself up for a year of growth and achievement

    As a life coach, I can tell you that when we talk about “goals,” Merriam-Webster defines a goal as “the end toward which effort is directed.” This definition underscores the importance of purpose and intention in goal-setting. When you set a goal, you’re pinpointing a specific outcome you want to achieve and directing your energy and efforts to reach that objective. It’s all about having a clear vision and a determined path to follow. By defining your goals with precision and focus, you set yourself up for success and personal growth.

    Resolutions and goals are closely related but not quite the same. Here’s a life coach’s perspective:

    Resolutions are commitments to make a positive change or develop a new habit over a period of time. They tend to be broader and more holistic. For example, a New Year’s resolution might be to “live a healthier lifestyle.”

    Goals are specific, measurable outcomes that contribute to achieving resolutions. They are concrete targets with clear criteria for success. For instance, if your resolution is to live a healthier lifestyle, a specific goal might be to “exercise for 30 minutes, three times a week.”

    While resolutions set the overarching intention, goals provide the actionable steps to make that intention a reality. Both are essential in the journey of personal growth and achievement. By setting both resolutions and goals, you create a clear roadmap to guide your efforts and measure your progress.

    So, what are the next steps? You will have to wait until the next entry.

    Thanks for stopping by the fire,

    Coach Dennis

  • Are You Ready for 2025

    Hard to believe, but in just 37 days, it will be January 1, 2025. As we approach the end of another year, it’s an opportune time for reflection and planning. Here are some questions to ponder as you review your journey through 2024 and prepare for the year ahead:

    • Did you achieve any of the goals you set for 2024?
    • Did you even write down your goals?
    • How much time do you think you wasted, and how much time were you truly productive?
    • Are you ready to make 2025 your best year yet?

    Maybe you referred to them as “resolutions” instead of goals. So, did you accomplish any of your resolutions? If not, why do you think that was? Reflecting on these questions is essential as it allows you to assess your progress, understand your challenges, and celebrate your successes.

    As a life coach, I believe in the power of a “year in review.” It’s not just about looking back but also about recognizing how far you’ve come and planning where you’re headed next. Over the next four weeks, I will be sharing at least one or two blog posts per week focusing on resolutions, goal setting, and more. These posts aim to provide valuable insights and practical strategies to help you set and achieve your goals.

    Additionally, I will be introducing some very special coaching packages for the coming year. These packages are designed to support you in making 2025 a year of growth, success, and fulfillment. Don’t let 2025 slip through your fingers with little or nothing to show for it. You deserve to be the best version of yourself, and with my coaching, you’ll have the tools and support to make that happen.

    Remember, it’s not just about setting goals but also about creating actionable plans to achieve them. So, as we approach the new year, let’s work together to turn your aspirations into reality. You have the potential for greatness, and I’m here to help you unlock it. Stay tuned for more updates and resources, and let’s make 2025 your most successful year yet!

    And as we embark on this journey, know that you are not alone. As your coach, I am committed to guiding you every step of the way, celebrating your victories, and helping you navigate any challenges that come your way.

    Thank you for taking the time to read this. I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals and make 2025 a year to remember. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your goals and plans further, please don’t hesitate to reach out: coachdtw@gmail.com Let’s make this year incredible together!

    The following is a blog you can find at https://admiredleadership.com/ Just sign up for their “Field Notes.”  They cover a variety of topics in leadership and more, well worth a few minutes to read every day in your inbox.

    “In an 80-year lifespan, there are 960 months, roughly 4,000 weeks, 29,000 days, 700,000 hours, 42 million minutes, and 2.5 billion seconds.  

    We normally evaluate our productivity in hours, days, weeks, and months and leave minutes and seconds to those fixated on speed. 

    Of course, the math isn’t hard. There are 1,440 minutes or 86,400 seconds in a single day. It is tough to be more productive in every second or minute. But people can get a lot done in as little as 10 minutes.  

    In 10 minutes, we can set the day’s priorities, sketch out the pros and cons of a decision, check in by phone with an important relationship, update colleagues about recent events, offer feedback to a team member, craft a meeting agenda, compose a congratulatory email, read a blog, buy a gift online, and review the action steps of an assignment, among a myriad of other tasks.  

    Interestingly, there are 144 ten-minute blocks in each day. Considering most people sleep 8 hours every evening, there are, then, 96 ten-minute blocks in an average day with which we can be highly productive or less so. 

    That’s a big number.

    What would happen to your personal productivity if you held yourself accountable to spending at least a portion of those ten-minute blocks in a manner you would call fruitful?  

    What if you were to focus on one 10-minute block at a time? 

    With every 10-minute block you engage more productively, you make yourself more effective. Find 10 minutes today to do something uncommonly well. Now find another 10 minutes to do it again.  

    Productivity is never an accident. Every 10 minutes can count. ” ~ Field Notes