The start of the new year is a great time to take stock and set goals for the future. But with everything that’s happening this January, it can be hard to keep track of your own objectives. How can you best plan your progress in the midst of so much uncertainty? Here we consider some of the ways you can stay proactive, happy and healthy in the pursuit of your jewellery goals in 2021.
When you’re defining your goals, you should visualise them and your path to get there. The first step is having a clear idea of what exactly your objectives are, the more specific you can be, the better. Then you need to plan how to achieve these goals and work out a timeline. As part of this process, you should set yourself reasonable deadlines that you’ll be able to stick to.
Some people also find it helpful to share their goals with others. Vocalising your aims and ambitions can help them feel more attainable. What’s more, sharing your goals with friends and family means that you can benefit from their advice and encouragement. So don’t be afraid to open up about your targets this January!
When you’re planning how to achieve your goals, be sure to include all the relevant steps you can think of. Breaking an ambitious project down into smaller steps makes it more manageable. Think logically about the order you need to do things in and about how much time each step will take. This way, you’ll be able to better organise your time and resources.
Setting yourself short, regular deadlines will make them easier to stick to, as well. It’s certainly a good way of stopping yourself from leaving everything until the last minute. You’ll also be able to keep track of your progress as you approach your goal, one step at a time. Ticking off each step as you go can be a real motivation booster, as it’s a visual reminder of how far you’ve already come.
As you make progress towards your goals, acknowledge and celebrate your achievements. Did you hit a deadline? Or even finish earlier than expected? Reward yourself – you’ve earnt it! Regular, deserved rewards are an important part of self-motivation and will help you keep up morale.
In this way, it’s also a good idea to mix ambitious targets in with some more easily achievable objectives. Maybe you only have one major jewellery goal this January, but it can be interesting to complement this with other, less complicated aims, perhaps related to different aspects of your life, such as fitness, your house or your family. Achieving these targets will provide you with both perspective and motivation as you work towards your main goal.
The world can feel like a very uncertain place at the moment, but that’s okay. Part of the “new normal” is accepting that some things are out of our control. The situation is changing all the time, in ways that we can’t predict, so it’s natural that your plans might have to change too. When this happens, be flexible and forgiving of yourself: shifting a few deadlines around is no big deal, so long as you keep sight of your end goal.
On top of this, adaptability is a key skill to cultivate as a jeweller. Sometimes certain tools, materials or facilities may not be available, but that doesn’t mean you have to put your projects on hold. Try to see changing circumstances as opportunities for growth or reflection. With a bit of creative thinking, you might even come up with a better solution than your original idea!
This is a challenging time for everybody, and it’s important to acknowledge that. When planning how to achieve your goals, you should therefore set aside a decent amount of time for self-care. This could involve anything from sport and exercise to cooking and relaxation. Keeping your mind and body healthy is more essential than ever in these uncertain times and will also help you to approach your projects with a clear head.
Likewise, if you hit a block when you’re working on something, don’t feel the need to push through. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is stop, take a step back and do something else. Read a book, watch a series, take a walk if possible – do whatever it is you do to relax! You’ll come back to your project refreshed, recentred and ready to get to work.
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