It's the time of year to reflect on the year behind and think about the year ahead. As I reflect on the last year, I realize that my most valuable accomplishments were not necessarily the accomplishments themselves, but the learnings that were behind them since it is those learnings that you carry with you into the new year and for the rest of your life. So, here's a little tip for setting goals and resolutions that will last you a lifetime.
For example, you could set a New Year's resolution like "lose 10 pounds" and you could accomplish it. But, perhaps a more valuable lifetime accomplishment is "learn how to lose 10 pounds". You could set out to "run a marathon" or you could "learn how to train for marathons". You could set out to "write a significant paper" or you could "learn how to write significant papers".
Of course, you do want the tangible goals and results to go along with your learnings, so I'm not suggesting you do away with them. Rather, I'm suggesting a two-part resolution. For example:
- Lose 10 pounds. Learn how to lose 10 pounds.
- Run a half-marathon. Learn how to train for half-marathons.
- Write a significant paper. Learn how to write significant papers.
- Make an impactful invention. Learn how to make impactful inventions.
- Manage your finances. Learn how to manage your finances.
This also allows you to set long-term goals and resolutions, while giving you a path to get there. This suggests a three-part resolution. For example:
- Long-term goal: Become a manager. Learning goal: Learn how to manage people. This year's goal: Manage an intern.
Okay... You try it! Feel free to share some of your learning resolutions here!
Best wishes for a Happy 2008!
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