Resolution #3: Set goals for the new year.
Remember SMART goals? You may have encountered this phrase in management classes or on the job training. SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. (I’d give attribution here, but I have no idea from whom this has been lifted.)
I’m not quite clever enough to work in fun and variety into Smart. So how about this ?
FAVES, as in my favorite things. Fun, Attainable, Varied, Enterprising. and Social.
What if the pursuit of a goal were fun? Like a rendez-vous with a friend or a trip to the theater. Or a new volunteer job as an usher. Think about whom you would meet!
What if the goal were attainable? Not getting skinny, but down 10 pounds by spring.
What if the goals were varied? A walk or a swim or a workout DVD or gardening every day.
What about enterprising? Drafting more effective status updates on social media and doing them more often. Writing a book or movie review. Offering to tutor some students in a subject that you happen to know.
What about Social? For some, that’s the easy part, for others it is a headache. But for all, it is an essential skill for a successful person. Be in touch. This was discussed more fully in Resolution #1, a posting two days ago.
Somewhere in the FAVES goal is something you won’t mind working on. Do it. And have fun becoming a more effective job hunter.
Have these three goals in a series been helpful to you? Have you found something you can engage in during the new year? I hope so, and I hope you will post a comment about changes you are making.
Meanwhile, I wish you a wildly joyous and exciting new year, doing more of what you love to do (yes, even on the job). I’m planning to be busy, productive, and happy in 2014. Join me!