2021: New Year New Goals

If you hate setting annual goals, relax, you’re not alone!

By Shawna Bertalot, CIC, ACI – WisMed Assure President

In an article titled “10 Top New Year’s Resolutions for Success and Happiness”, INC. Media added this subtitle: “Studies show that about 60 percent of us make New Year’s resolutions each year—sadly, only about 8 percent of us achieve them.”

If your employer requires you to set annual goals, but it feels tedious, overwhelming, and not very meaningful to you, relax, you’re not alone!

Because we’re on a mission to protect and accelerate your success, we asked our team to share their secrets for successfully achieving the goals they set. And, we’ve kept it simple by selecting the Top Three:

1. Make your goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound).  Here’s the best part; if you are required to set work goals you can actually make them personally meaningful by making them specific and relevant. And, by defining how you will measure results and setting a time deadline, you set yourself up for success.
2. Write it down! A Google search reveals many studies that conclude you are 42% more likely to achieve your goals when you write them down. And, success is increased when you share your goals with others… some of whom may actually hold you accountable.
3. Don’t set more than three major goals. Big goals always have sub-parts, objectives and tactics; business and life coaches agree, more than three is too many.

While you are at it, why not set use these three rules when you set personal goals? 

We have two members on our team who are truly Goal-Achieving Champions and they have agreed to share their personal goals.

Kathy Mueller just celebrated 25 years as an insurance advisor with WisMed Assure. She credits her success in large part to setting and achieving professional and personal goals every year. Kathy’s 2020 Personal Goals were:

1. Annual wellness physical plus two dental check ups
2. Walk 10,000 steps a day measured and tracked by a Fitbit
3. Do three additional workouts (cardio, Pilates, etc.) each week

Laura Jacobs is the Director of Communications and Marketing for Wisconsin Medical Society.  She excels at project management and, no surprise, at goal setting. Laura’s 2020 Personal Goals were:

1. Read one book per month
2. Win 5 Fitbit “workweek hustle” challenges
3. Connect Kindle to our digital public library system

Good luck achieving your goals in 2021!

shawna.bertalot@wismedassure.org

608-442-3738