Goal setting and New Year's resolutions

It's the same every year: we set ourselves New Year's goals that are forgotten by February at the latest. Whether it's drinking less or not drinking any alcohol at all, for example during Dry Januarys , eating healthier or becoming more effective: the list of new goals is long! 

To ensure that these projects are not doomed to failure, we will show you two approaches today: first, we will present you with the most important content and tips from the successful bestseller “ We will introduce you to “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and then explain the classic SMART method.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

One important point is: sharpen the saw. This means that you should not work yourself to death, but strive for a sustainable lifestyle that gives you time to recover, recharge and be effective in the long term. Take your breaks when you need them. It will pay off! 

Be proactive! If you feel the need to influence your environment and change something, don't just spend your time reacting to external influences. Take your life into your own hands and assume responsibility. Of course, in the current situation, that's not always possible. But don't let that get you down. Better times will come!

It is also important to start with a goal in mind. Think about what your vision for the future is and align your actions accordingly so that your goals become reality. Prioritizing is key here. Put the most important things first and focus on what is most relevant. If you have several resolutions for the new year, rank them. What do you want to achieve first? In January, you will live alcohol-free for a month and after that you can try learning a new language.

In a group, the contributions of many outweigh the achievements of one individual. Therefore, you should use these synergy effects. You will quickly notice that you achieve goals faster and easier that you might not have been able to achieve alone. It is easier together. So team up with someone to learn a new instrument or language or to live alcohol-free.

The SMART method 

The SMART method is about formulating your goals in a more sophisticated way and thereby achieving them better. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attractive, Realistic and Scheduled .

You should therefore formulate your goals as concretely and specifically as possible and set a measurable goal. You will only have the necessary motivation if the goal is formulated attractively. Setting attractive goals means that they are formulated positively. 

It is important that you set realistic goals that are achievable within your time and resources. They should challenge you, but not be utopian! Finally, every goal needs a deadline by which it should be achieved. The date is the goal, but also a checkpoint to find out whether you have implemented everything you set out to do.

As a small example: You have decided to drink less or no alcohol.Using the SMART method, your goal could be as follows:

I'm going to manage to live alcohol-free throughout Dry January by trying two new non-alcoholic drinks every weekend.

Alcohol-free as a New Year’s resolution?

There are numerous reasons to live alcohol-free - whether for a few months or a whole year. Have you decided to drink less alcohol in the new year or to stay away from it altogether? Then you will get here  your bottle of Laori Juniper No 1, with which you can easily mix your favorite drinks yourself.