It’s that most wonderful time of the year where we’re flooded with pressure to set resolutions for the year to come. Gym memberships surge, we swear to spend more time with friends and family, and we vow to break bad habits. (No more Instagram first thing in the morning, scout’s honor!)

The new year, of course, is swiftly followed by guilt for breaking those promises. It’s not because we didn’t mean them. It’s not because we’re bad people. It’s because we’re doing our goal setting wrong. 

The problem is not New Year’s resolutions. 

  • It is important to step back and think at a higher level
  • It is important to set goals, especially those that are measurable 
  • It is important to hold yourself accountable

If you failed to meet your goals last year, ask yourself: 

  • What didn’t happen that needed to? 
  • What was missing in the infrastructure? 
  • What needs to be changed in my psyche in order for me to wake up and say, this is super important to me?

The way I’ve handled my new year’s resolutions has evolved over the years, and I finally feel like I have a grip on setting and achieving my annual goals. 

Here’s how to set yourself up to get what you want and feel proud of yourself in a thoughtful and strategic way. 

Simplify

Often, we have trouble following through on our new resolutions because we try to do too much at once. It’s a game of whack-a-mole. And you lose. 

You need to pick one way in which you know you will make it happen. One thing to focus on. A single, important aspect of your career to work on diligently until that thing truly becomes a habit. Once you’ve got that down, you can move on to another one. 

This takes discipline, and it’s not easy. 

Honor your space

Once you’ve set your singular intention for the year, you must guard the space around it. An accountability partner is a great start. But really, you need more than one. Everyone in your life should know what you’re focused on for the year. Be intentional and clear with other people so they understand the trade-offs you’re making to ensure that you reach your goal and can participate in your success. 

Find what excites you

Don’t pick what you think everyone else wants you to do. Don’t pick the thing you think you should do. Pick the thing that matters so much that you know you will see it through to the end. Pick something with an outcome that gives you goosebumps because it’s so exciting. That’s the only thing that will get you through the work. 

No one likes the idea of making 5 lead gen calls a day, but everyone likes the thought of earning an extra half a million bucks next year. 

Not sure where to start?

If you’re still unsure of what’s most important, I’ve got some real estate broker resolution starter packs for you. 

Again, pick just one of these to work on. 

You’ll spend an hour every working day on one of these:

  • Making phone calls to generate leads (aka the real estate agent’s ‘Hour of Power’)
  • Following up on past business and previous clients to keep your relationships alive
  • Building a social media presence to increase brand awareness and be top of mind when someone’s looking for a broker 

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you give it all the love and attention it deserves.

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