7 Achievable Goals I’m Setting For 2022

7 Achievable Goals I'm Setting for 2022
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Many of us have been thinking about achievable goals this week, things we hope to accomplish in the next twelve months and beyond.  I prefer not to use the word ‘resolution' because it always seems to set us up for failure.

You may be familiar with the acronym S.M.A.R.T. for goal setting.  It implies that we're more likely to achieve our goals if they are

  • S – specific
  • M – measurable
  • A – achievable
  • R – realistic
  • T – time-bound

So if I want to expand my contacts next year, I’m more likely to succeed if my goal is to specifically attend one networking event every month rather than just generally network more.

It also helps to ask ourselves the ‘why’ of what we want to achieve.  My networking ‘why’ might be to make mutually beneficial relationships that will help grow the readership for my blog.

So with all that in mind, here are seven achievable goals I’m setting for 2022:

  1. Write 500 words a day

As a blogger and freelance writer, I do a lot of writing.  So why do I need to set a writing goal?  Because writing requires practice, and daily writing discipline will help me improve my skills.

There are days when I don't particularly feel like writing, and without committing to a daily practice, I'll have too many days where I don't write.

Notice I didn't say write 182,500 words by the end of 2022.  I broke my goal down into the manageable goal of writing 500 words a day.  It's a SMART goal that I'm confident I can achieve.

2. Get at least 35 minutes of exercise five times a week.

I enjoy exercise and do a variety of things to stay fit.  Still, some days it’s easy to get bogged down and realize the day is over and I haven’t worked out.

My goal of 35 minutes of exercise five times a week doesn’t mean I can never take a day off.  I just have to commit to doing some form of exercise for 35 minutes five times a week.

I can walk, bike, do yoga or Pilates, go to the gym, or get on my Nordic track.  It’s a doable goal that is easily achievable.

The ‘why’ is I want to stay fit and healthy.

3. Improve my time management.

I make to-do lists, but I know I can be much more efficient with my time and get more done.  I need to schedule blocks of time for specific activities, which I haven’t been doing unless I have a particular appointment.

For example, from 2-4 pm on Tuesday I write.  As opposed to spending two hours writing at some point on Tuesday.  If the time block isn’t specific, we’re less likely to do something.

I’ll use the scheduling software on my phone and calendar to better structure my day.

4. Attend at least one online or in-person networking event every two months.

The pandemic has thrown off everyone’s networking activities, as some events have been canceled and others have moved online.  It’s hard for us to keep track of what’s happening.

However, I know how beneficial networking events have been to my career and my business, so I’ll make an effort to seek out and sign up for relevant events.

As I enjoy attending networking events, I’m not forcing myself to do something unpleasant.

Hopefully, we’ll all be able to attend more in-person networking events in 2022.  Sign me up.

5. Travel again.

I miss traveling abroad, but the pandemic has thrown a wrench into everyone’s travel plans.  Traveling abroad may not be realistic in 2022, but there are plenty of domestic travel destinations to explore.

Instead of lamenting all the places we can’t go to right now, I’m focusing on visiting some locations that are accessible.

My goal is to take at least two week-long trips somewhere in  2022.  I’m not even sure where right now, so perhaps this goal isn’t specific enough.

But for at least two weeks in 2022, my goal is to be somewhere other than home.

6. Read two fiction books a month.

Yes, Netflix is great, but so is reading, and I haven’t been reading enough fiction lately.  Reading is the ultimate tool for expanding our minds, and I’ve been too focused on business and productivity books and not focused enough on fiction.

There are dozens and dozens of books in Prime reading, which is free for Amazon Prime members.  It’s a great way to access loads of titles.

The goal of reading two books a month is easily achievable for a book lover like me.  I just have to turn off Netflix for a few hours.

7. Find something to laugh about every day.

Laughter has been found to be tremendously beneficial to our health.  We feel good when we laugh.

That’s why I can’t wait to go to my weekly online improv class during the pandemic.  I need to laugh.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, laughter can release neuropeptides that help fight stress and more serious illness.

It’s not always easy to find something to laugh about every day, especially if you watch the news.  But there are plenty of funny videos to watch online that will make us laugh.

And I’m going to be proactive about finding them.  Because my funny bone needs a workout, and that’s no laughing matter.

Oh wait, yes, it is.

Conclusion

So those are seven achievable goals I’ve set for 2022.  What are your goals for the new year?

Share your goals in the comments, and we can support each other in achieving them in 2022.  Here’s to a year of good health, success, and prosperity.

 

 

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