Without intending to be “the Grinch” now that the festive season has passed, professional performance and business coach Alvin Govender takes a humorous, but realistic, view on goal setting now that 2025 is here.
“Dear January, please be kind…”
Every December, millions the world over fret about what ambitious resolutions to make. Furiously jotting down “the goal” that will see them turn over a new leaf, they vow that this year will be different. Fast forward a month, and we see the gyms emptying, the spinach has gone bad and the blenders we invested in is gathering dust.
Should we consider that the main issue is not a lack of motivation but that we have set ourselves up for failure? Let’s explore why our goals flop and how 2025 can be different.
The resolution revolution: Why we fail
Let’s talk frankly about what causes our resolutions to fail. It’s important to realise that goal setting is a science. Others don’t simply achieve their goals because they are better or more talented. They achieve their goals because they understand that setting and achieving goals forms part of an equation.
Anyone who learns the science behind goal setting can become successful. In my case, I am achieving much more than I was 10 years ago. Recently, I spoke about my journey on the WATPROP Business Podcast, Boardroom Conversations, about failing twice in the lead-up to successfully launching my business. Am I better now than when I first tried? Not as such. I’m not any ‘better’ per se but I am doing better for myself. I have done the work and learned the science.
Time + Reflection = Goal
Goal + Planning = Success
My equation may seem overly simplified, and it’s not intended to take away from big achievement. Success is not easy to come by and is certainly harder than failure, but the most integral part of goal setting is the process of understanding how you will reach the end goal.
Managing expectations
We’re all familiar with the vows to finally get fit or lose weight, but is it realistic to enter a marathon when you’re still walking at Park Run? Great things arise from great ambition, so don’t stop yourself from dreaming big, but break your goals into small, measurable checkpoints.
If your plan involves stopping certain behaviours and building a new habit, first try to work out how to break the bad habit. For example, I had a beloved family member who told me, straight-faced, that she was going to start the banting diet.
Coming from a traditional Indian background, I knew her eating habits and didn’t want to break her spirit. However, I felt that instead of looking at her immediate desire to lose weight, perhaps she should look at changing her diet gradually by cutting down on the amount of starch she ate. Starting with portion control, she could gradually shift her behaviour. Once new habits are well established, you’re no longer needing to ‘trick’ your brain as the behaviour pattern has been broken.
I want to encourage you to create a roadmap to your success, as goals without a plan are just dreams.
That’s just crazy…. Why your resolution could be doomed
Another example of an unrealistic goal was a gentleman I met socially who told me that he was going to become a billionaire within the next year. As a coach, I was naturally intrigued and asked him what his strategy was, and he told me he didn’t need one, as he was ‘visualising it’. As someone who believes in the power of visualisation aiding and motivating your goals, I listened on.
Unfortunately, beyond being part of a group of visualisers, he didn’t have a semblance of a plan. When I met him again, there was no progress and he was in the same place financially—impacting his self-esteem and beliefs. Truthfully, successfully achieving a goal comes about more easily when your thoughts, behaviours and goals come into alignment.
Humans are complex beings, and our brains are not simple. But habits are simply repeat behaviours that form patterns. Knowing that you can make behavioural changes and change your habits is powerful.
The inevitable slump and how to keep motivated
The start of a year sees us ready to take on new challenges. Feeling rested and refreshed, we feel set to meet a challenge. However, a few months later, motivation starts to wane.
This is where the science behind goal-setting steps in to help us.
Your goal planning must be incremental and measurable. In your planning, you need to take the end goal, for example, creating a new team in charge of digital marketing and break it down into monthly goals which are attainable and measurable.
In January, you could complete competitor research. In February, work alongside your marketing team to create a budget. In March, work with a recruiter to hire the departmental head. In April, start the team hiring process and conduct a quarterly review. And on it goes…
Be nice. Be smart.
When you set your goals, I encourage you to set healthy boundaries by making being nice to yourself compulsory. Take stock of your achievements. Give yourself credit for doing hard things. Acknowledge things you could have done better but be kind and don’t allow negativity to linger. Make your goals S.M.A.R.T.
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
Often, resolutions fail not because we’re incapable but because we approach them incorrectly. Whether it’s leading a team, starting a new business or reaching a personal goal, success will come down to setting a realistic goal, understanding the science behind how to get there, staying consistent, and measuring the progress.
– Alvin Govender
Also see: Tips to use a vision board to achieve your resolutions for the new year
