A week has gone by and we are well into 2014. As I am sure many of you have , I have been giving a lot of thought to what will be different in my life this year.  What do I want and how will I achieve it?

How will this year be different than the many that have come before? I am not a big fan of New Year resolutions. Why? Because by now, a week later, I usually don’t remember what they were.  On Jan 2nd I am back at work and life takes over.  The ambitious resolutions I have proclaimed to myself: to eat better, to exercise more, etc., while still important simply can’t compete with my busy reality.  Don’t get me wrong.  When I made those resolutions, I meant to follow through.   They are things I REALLY want, but yet nothing seems to change, or if I am really honest with myself, I do not make change happen.

What I would like to offer you this week is a different way of looking at the New Year and keeping yourself accountable by engaging your family in the process.

First- don’t do it alone! This is a great opportunity to work as a family. No matter how old or young your kids are, learning how to set goals and hold yourself accountable to following through is a great life skill. Imagine what your life would look like today, if you had achieved even a fraction of the things you have set out to achieve over the years.

Second – This year instead of making New Year resolutions, set New Year goals in all areas of your life.  Divide your life into categories and sub-categories  (work, school, relationships, fitness, health etc.) , and set realistic goals you would like to achieve this year.

Third- Break it down into long-term goals (by the end of the year) and short-term goals (what will I get done in the next week, month etc.)  This way you are making a realistic plan to help you achieve your goals.

Fourth- Include your family members as accountability partners. Many parents with young kids use a chart with stars to help mark their kids’ accomplishments, such as helping around the house, or not wetting the bed. Create a grown up version of this, and this time include yourself on the chart.  There is one thing I know for sure, when someone else is helping you follow up, the chances of getting things done go way up!

By working on this together as a family you will be able to work on your own goals, and help your teen set goals for her self.  In addition you will get the benefit of getting great insight in to your daughters her hopes and dreams which will allow you to support her and she will get insight in to your life and what is important to you.

There are many ways you could do this, and I encourage you to find the method that works best for your family.

I would like to offer one model for how this could work. If you are interested, simply email me at tova@tovagarr.com  and I am happy to set you family goal setting worksheet.

Setting our intention is the first step to creating the reality we want.  And the second is creating the structure and taking the steps to support manifesting that reality.  

What would be different for you and what will you do differently this year?

Try it out and let me know what happens!

Much love and support
Tova