Creating a 2013 Vision

Our last post discussed some areas you may want to focus on for 2013, as well as the basics of SMART goal setting. Have you ever considered creating a 2013 Commitment board? It visually represents what you will commit to for 2013. Place it somewhere in your home where you can review it daily or weekly.

Here are the steps to creating your own!

1. Gather items you need:

• Presentation board (less than $4 at Target and similar retailers)
• Sticky Notes
• Computer/Printer or other method of creating headings
• Tape or glue
• Pen or markers

2. Decide on topics that you want to commit to growing in 2013. This image of the 6 Dimensions of Wellness provides a great starting point:

3. Use the sticky notes to write down whatever comes to mind. Put the sticky note under the appropriate category on your board.

4. Fine tune your board.

• Did you write down several tasks? If so, do you want to subgroup them under a common outcome or goal?
• Did you write down several outcomes? If so, do you want to add sticky notes that have supporting tasks on them?
• Do your sticky notes have deadlines? For example, is this a weekly task to be done on Sundays? Is this a goal with multiple parts that you want to accomplish by the end of first quarter? Consider adding time frames.
• Consider refining some of your notes to become SMART goals. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable/Action-Oriented, Realistic, Time-Sensitive). 
• You don't need a full business plan on your board, however, you might want to make reference to reviewing a separate business plan quarterly for example. 
• Share your board with someone who will keep you accountable.

5. Review your board daily or weekly. The sticky notes allow for a flexible structure that you can alter as your year changes. Here are some changes you might make:

• Move sticky notes up or down based on priority
• Take sticky notes off if you changed your mind about a goal or task
• Add sticky notes to work toward new goals
• Change due dates on tasks/goals

This also makes a great activity to do as a family or with a spouse! It can come in many formats, from a notebook to a computer document.  Give it a try and see what you want to commit to for 2013! Feel free to share what works for you and what doesn't, as there are so many options!