Have you sorted your new year business goals yet? What if we told you that doing so could help you make 2023 your happiest and most successful year yet?
Setting work goals that leverage your strengths can help you to unlock higher levels of happiness, better physical health, increased energy levels and lower stress. In addition, it can reduce negative emotions and improve overall life satisfaction.
What’s more, studies have found that employees who are empowered to regularly use their strengths are up to six times more engaged in their roles, while the leaders who encourage employees to play to their strengths benefit from lower levels of staff turnover, higher levels of productivity, more satisfied customers, and greater profitability.
So, with 1 January fast approaching, why not take some time to consider what goals you can set to make 2023 joyful and productive. Here’s how.
1. Commit to positivity
If you set yourself just one goal for 2023, make it to foster or nurture a positive mindset.
Not sure whether you are an optimist or a pessimist? If the thoughts that run through your head are mostly negative, your outlook on life is more likely pessimistic. If your thoughts are mostly positive, you are likely an optimist – someone who practices positive thinking.
Some studies show that personality traits, such as optimism and pessimism, can affect many areas of your health and wellbeing. Positive thinkers are said to benefit from increased life spans, lower rates of depression, lower levels of distress and pain, greater resistance to illnesses and better coping skills during hardships and times of stress. If you are naturally more of a pessimist, don’t worry, you can learn to turn negative thinking into positive thinking; just know that, while the process is simple, it will take time and practice to perfect – you’re creating a new habit, after all.
Start by trying some of the following:
· Identify areas to change. Which areas of your life do you usually think negatively about? Work? Finances? Family responsibilities? Start by focusing on one area to approach with more positivity.
· Check in with yourself. Set yourself an alarm reminder every few hours and check in with your mindset. If your thoughts are largely negative in that moment, consider what a silver lining to your situation might be.
· Fake it till you make it. Smile and laugh, even if you don’t mean it. Doing so can trick your brain into thinking you’re happy.
· Stay healthy. Aim to exercise for about 30 minutes most days of the week. If you can’t achieve it all in one go, several 5-10 minutes may be easier to start with. Ensure you are getting good quality sleep for 7 to 8 hours a night. Check you are getting enough greens daily. Monitor your sugar and carbohydrate intake.
· Surround yourself with positive people. Choose to be with people who build you up and encourage you to look on the bright side.
· Practice positive self-talk. Don’t say anything to yourself that you would not say to anyone else. Be gentle and encouraging with number one!
2. Goals and values
Goals and values are often confused, but they are quite different. Goals tend to be specific, task-based targets that can be ticked off and achieved. Values represent what you want yourself or your business to stand for and are not something you ever complete. However, while the two terms are different, they do rely on one another. Goals are most successful when they are based on our values and our values are nothing if we are not setting tangible targets to bring them to life.
3. Dream big, but start small
Whether your goals are big or small, the first step to achieve them is to make sure they are based on what you want to do, not what you think you should do. Once you have articulated your goal, break it into smaller, manageable chunks to keep yourself motivated.
For example, if your long-term goal is to create a more supportive workplace culture, start by locking in catch-ups with each of your direct reports, contacting an HR consultant for support and mapping out what you want for your team. As the saying goes: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!
4. Set SMART goals
The SMART theory of goal setting can help you to achieve your goals.
· Specific. Be clear about what you are aiming for and make sure your goal answers the key who, where, when, why, and what questions. For example, rather than ‘leave the office on time’, your goal could be to leave the office by 5.00pm each day.
· Measurable. Include a quantity in your goal. E.g. ‘Check in with two direct reports each week.’
· Achievable. Set goals that you can achieve. Goals that are too difficult are discouraging.
· Realistic. Set goals that are practical. Sure, walking an hour a day might be achievable, but might not be practical if you do not get home from work until 8pm every night. Don’t set yourself up to fail.
· Time-based. Give yourself a deadline. These can motivate you and keep you accountable.
Need some fresh inspiration?
If you’d like some support articulating meaningful goals for your team or business or would like to know more about the various benefits of positive psychology in the workplace, feel free to get in touch. Our initial chat is always free, and if you decide you’d like some independent, impartial, and up-to-date support, you can make use of our qualified HR expertise for as little as an hour, or as long as you would like. It’s up to you.