7 Ways to Set and Track Goals for Maximum Success in 2022

How to harness the momentum of this new year to hit personal and professional benchmarks

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By Kelly Hyman

Goal setting is a common January ritual. Though this month feels like the right time to dive headlong into accomplishment-setting, in my experience it’s actually better suited for reflection and planning, leaving February for taking action. That means, even if you’ve yet to set a goal list for 2022, there’s still time to get started. If you’re like the millions of people setting goals for the new year and want to know how to stay on track and emerge successful by its end, here are a few tips to follow.

1. Be Smart

Making goals specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely (SMART), which helps whittle them down to manageable milestones, and also helps shape big ideas. For example, one BHAG (aka big hairy audacious goal) may be to make more money in the coming year. However, it’s good to make that more specific to your current situation and goals by putting a number and deadline on it, such as “I want to increase my income by $5,000 every quarter, and will accomplish this by adding two new clients/projects during this time.”

2. Choose a Check-In Method

An essential part of ensuring success is maintaining self-accountability. There are various ways people like to do this: Some prefer a spreadsheet with specific benchmarks and tasks laid out, while others might be slightly more flexible. In any case, a variety of check-in methods (including regular discussions with mentors) can be combined to keep you on track with the task(s) ahead. The solution is to find the method that works best for you. My advice is to keep it simple and grow from there.

Related: 6 Ways to Start the New Year With a Blank Slate

3. Source Daily Motivation

Understanding the “why” behind goals gives them purpose, versus just checking a to-do on a list. What is going to motivate you when your days get busy, when you’re too tired or just feel like giving up? One way to stay motivated is to share your goals with others who can root you on when you need a boost. Another is to write them out and put them in a place that’s regularly visible. As you face delays or difficulties, these motivational tools will help keep you moving forward.

4. Get Organized

Decide which goals are personal and which are professional. Though some may overlap, organize and prioritize them in order of importance. Tackling several goals at the same time can feel overwhelming and cause you to run out of steam, so determine how aggressive you want to be for each.