Don’t make resolutions, make plans!

Go for it!

Is this the year you will relocate overseas? Or is moving abroad still on your wish list? Perhaps you’ve always wanted to relocate but somehow you’re still in the same place, unable to make the final step for whatever reason. There are methods to achieving your dreamed-of expat status, so let’s get planning!

10 goal-setting tips

Try a new approach to making your resolutions and increase your chances of success by following these ten goal-setting rules.

Don’t repeat old resolutions

If you find you make, and break, the same resolutions each year then it’s highly likely you’ll continue to repeat this cycle unless something is different in your outlook or situation. If you do want to resurrect an ‘old’ pledge ask yourself what has changed?

Identify your motivation

Be clear about what you want to achieve instead of making resolutions based on what you feel you should be aiming for. We all operate on the ‘what’s in it for me’ principle so your resolutions must be meaningful to you rather than others.

Be realistic

Instead of producing a long, over ambitious ‘wish list’ identify just two or three goals that you truly want achieve. This will allow you to put all your energy into making these happen.

Be specific

Rather than declaring you want to ‘move overseas’ it’s far more effective to set specific goals such as pledging to ‘apply for jobs in that country’ or ‘investigate potential career transfer options’.

Plan ahead

Your resolutions don’t have to start on the 1st January. What can start then, though, is the process that will ensure you achieve your goal. For instance, if you want to stop smoking consider the steps you’ll need to take to make this possible such as booking a session with a hypnotherapist.

Write it down

Write down your goals and deadlines. Also keep a ‘victory log’ of every successful step you take on the road to achieving your aim.

Devise a strategy

Many resolutions come unstuck because little thought is given to how an individual will cope in ‘trigger’ situations. So, if you want to lose weight but know you’ll struggle to keep to your diet when you eat out, devise methods for surviving this situation, rather than just avoiding it.

Go public

Many people keep their resolutions under wraps so that they don’t feel any pressure to actually do what they say they’re going to do. If you’ve been honest with yourself and have followed these steps then you’re already halfway there! This means you should have nothing to fear by letting others know how serious you are about improving your life.

Get support

In most cases this is crucial and can mean anything from making a pact with a friend to regularly attend exercise classes to seeking expert help to enable you to declutter your home or help you lose weight.

Celebrate success

Achieving your goals will be a reward in itself but why not go one step further and celebrate properly with a bottle of bubbly or by treating yourself to a relaxing massage – you deserve it!

Remember, don’t make resolutions, make plans! This time next year you could be fulfilling your dream and living overseas.