As the dawn of a new year approaches, many of us embark on a journey of self-reflection and setting of New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s to Research Canadian immigration programs and eligibility criteria, optimize our LinkedIn profiles, improve our English/French language skills for immigration requirements, enhance our skill inventory, research the Canadian job market in your field to identify in-demand skills and job opportunities, or increase our online visibility, the start of the year brings a natural inclination to initiate change.
However, the journey from resolution to realization can be challenging.
To enhance your chances of success, we turn to behavioral science and motivational theories that offer evidence-based strategies.
One such powerful approach is setting SMART goals—goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely.
By integrating these principles into your resolutions, you not only define your objectives clearly but also lay the groundwork for a transformative year ahead.
What's Covered in This Article
1. Specific:
- Instead of a vague resolution like “get in shape,” opt for precision. For example, commit to “Update work history, skills, and achievements on LinkedIn” or “Identify and acquire skills in demand globally.”
2. Measurable:
- Make your progress quantifiable. For instance, if your resolution involves content creation, measure it by the “number of diverse content pieces shared across platforms every week.” Tracking your progress makes your journey tangible and easier to evaluate.
3. Achievable/Attainable:
- Aim for ambitious but realistic goals. Balance the challenge with achievability, such as “Successfully acquiring and applying a new skill in a real-world scenario within six months.”
4. Realistic/Relevant:
- Ensure your goals make sense for you. If global networking aligns with your aspirations, make a realistic plan such as “Connecting with professionals from desired relocation destinations bi-weekly.” Choose goals that are meaningful and relevant, increasing the likelihood of commitment.
5. Timely:
- Define your timeline. Break down larger goals into timely steps, such as “Creating a content calendar monthly” or “Launching a series highlighting specific destinations within three months.” These steps provide checkpoints for re-evaluation and additional planning.
Remember, these SMART characteristics don’t just apply to the ultimate goal but also to the steps along the way. Each action plan, from making a budget to weekly check-ins, should embody the SMART framework.
As you embark on your journey, consider action planning with flexibility, intrinsic motivation, learning from the process, and seeking social support. With these strategies in place, you’re poised for a year of growth, accomplishment, and positive change.
Happy New Year, best of luck, and cheers to a SMART and successful 2024!
This year, let’s take a strategic and SMART approach to our resolutions, ensuring that they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely.
Whether you’re gearing up for an international career move, seeking personal growth, or preparing for the possibilities of remote work, these SMART resolutions are designed to guide you through a transformative year.
- Optimize LinkedIn Profile:
- Specific: Update work history, skills, and achievements on LinkedIn; connect with professionals in the desired industry and location; join two relevant global networking groups.
- Measurable: Achieve a 20% increase in profile views from employers and/or professionals in target relocation destinations within six months.
- Achievable: Dedicate at least five hours weekly to gather information. Realistic: Lays the foundation for the relocation process.
- Timely: Complete initial research within three months.
- Skill Inventory Boost:
- Specific: Identify and acquire one new skill every quarter through online courses and workshops; seek mentorship in the chosen field.
- Measurable: Successfully apply the newly acquired skill in a real-world scenario within three months of acquisition.
- Online Visibility Pledge:
- Specific: Share insights, projects, and experiences on social media platforms at least three times a week; engage with global communities; create and share content on YouTube monthly.
- Measurable: Achieve a 30% increase in social media followers and engagement within six months.
- Gratitude Journaling:
- Specific: Start and maintain a gratitude journal with daily entries; reflect on positive aspects of the relocation journey weekly; share gratitude moments online monthly.
- Measurable: Maintain consistent journal entries and observe a noticeable improvement in overall mindset within three months.
- Master Networking:
- Specific: Attend at least one international networking event quarterly; connect with professionals from desired relocation destinations bi-weekly; participate in one virtual meetup monthly.
- Measurable: Establish meaningful connections with professionals from at least three different countries within a year.
- Global Connection Building:
- Specific: Engage in global forums and communities bi-weekly; initiate conversations with professionals from diverse backgrounds monthly.
- Measurable: Regular interactions and exchanges of insights with professionals from at least five different countries within six months.
- Travel Discovery List:
- Specific: Research and shortlist travel destinations quarterly; create a budget and itinerary for each trip bi-annually; share travel plans online bi-monthly.
- Measurable: Successfully complete at least two international trips during the year.
- Digital Nomad Prep:
- Specific: Research digital nomad lifestyle monthly; evaluate remote work tools and setups quarterly; create a remote work plan within three months.
- Measurable: Successfully complete a trial period of working remotely from a different location within six months.
- Monthly Learning Goals:
- Specific: Identify learning resources bi-weekly; allocate time for learning activities weekly; document new skills acquired monthly.
- Measurable: Regular completion of planned learning activities with documented progress every month.
- Content Creation Consistency:
- Specific: Develop a content calendar monthly; create and share content on chosen platforms consistently three times a week.
- Measurable: A steady increase in engagement and positive feedback on content every quarter.
- Diversify Skill Set:
- Specific: Explore one skill in demand globally bi-annually; enroll in relevant courses quarterly; apply the new skill in a practical project within six months.
- Measurable: Successful application of the new skill in a real-world scenario within the specified time frame.
- Mindful Time Management:
- Specific: Create a daily schedule monthly; prioritize tasks based on importance weekly; incorporate breaks for self-care daily.
- Measurable: Consistent adherence to the planned daily routine every month.
- Local Impact Initiative:
- Specific: Identify local community needs monthly; volunteer time or skills quarterly; document the impact created bi-annually.
- Measurable: Successful completion of a local impact initiative with documented results within a year.
- Master the Elevator Pitch:
- Specific: Draft and refine the elevator pitch monthly; practice delivering it confidently weekly.
- Measurable: Successfully deliver the elevator pitch in a professional setting within three months.
- Cross-Cultural Understanding:
- Specific: Create a reading/watching list quarterly; dedicate time for cultural exploration monthly; share insights online bi-weekly.
- Measurable: Completion of cultural exploration activities and sharing of learnings online within six months.
- Health & Wellness Commitment:
- Specific: Develop a wellness routine monthly; incorporate exercise and self-care practices into daily life weekly.
- Measurable: Consistent engagement in wellness activities with improved overall well-being every quarter.
- Digital Declutter:
- Specific: Review and organize digital files monthly; declutter online profiles bi-annually; optimize privacy settings quarterly.
- Measurable: Successful completion of digital decluttering tasks within specified time frames.
- Remote Work Efficiency:
- Specific: Identify and implement remote work tools quarterly; establish a dedicated workspace bi-weekly; optimize time management monthly.
- Measurable: Improved efficiency in remote work tasks within six months.
- Monthly Reflection:
- Specific: Schedule monthly reflection sessions; evaluate progress against set goals monthly; adjust plans as needed.
- Measurable: Regular documentation of reflections and adjustments made every month.
- Collaborative Ventures:
- Specific: Engage with the audience for collaboration ideas bi-weekly; initiate collaborative projects quarterly; celebrate joint achievements bi-monthly.
- Measurable: Successful completion of at least one collaborative venture with EvaMtalii subscribers within a year.
- Community Engagement:
- Specific: Attend regular services monthly; join community events quarterly; volunteer for church/mosque/synagogue initiatives bi-annually.
- Measurable: Recognition and acknowledgment within the community for active involvement within a year.
- Building Spiritual Connections:
- Specific: Schedule meetings with religious leaders quarterly; share relocation plans monthly; seek their guidance bi-weekly.
- Measurable: Establishing connections with religious leaders who are aware of your relocation goals within six months.
- Visibility in Religious Networks:
- Specific: Engage in discussions bi-weekly; contribute to community projects monthly; attend social gatherings quarterly.
- Measurable: Recognition within the religious community for consistent and visible participation within a year.
- Active Presence in Travel Groups:
- Specific: Join relevant travel groups monthly; contribute helpful information bi-weekly; engage in discussions regularly.
- Measurable: Recognition within travel groups as a reliable and active member within six months.
- Language Proficiency:
- Specific: Improve English/French language skills for immigration requirements.
- Measurable: Achieve a score of at least 7.0 on the IELTS or equivalent in other language proficiency tests.
- Achievable: Enroll in language courses or practice language skills daily.
- Realistic: Enhances eligibility for immigration. Timely: Attain the target language proficiency score within six months.
26. Educational Credential Assessment (ECA):
- Specific: Undertake an Educational Credential Assessment for academic qualifications.
- Measurable: Successfully complete the ECA process. Achievable: Gather required documents, and submit the ECA application within one month.
- Realistic: Validates academic qualifications for Canadian standards.
- Timely: Complete the ECA process within three months.
27. Job Market Research:
- Specific: Research the Canadian job market in your field.
- Measurable: Identify in-demand skills and compile a list of potential job opportunities.
- Achievable: Network with professionals in Canada, explore job boards, and attend industry events. Realistic: Informs career strategies for relocation.
- Timely: Compile a list of potential job opportunities within four months.
28. Professional Certification:
- Specific: Identify if professional certification is required for your field in Canada.
- Measurable: Begin the process of obtaining necessary certifications.
- Achievable: Contact relevant certification bodies, understand the requirements, and initiate the application.
- Realistic: Enhances credibility in the Canadian job market. Timely: Start the certification process within two months.
29. Financial Planning:
- Specific: Create a detailed budget for relocation expenses.
- Measurable: Save a specific amount for relocation within the year.
- Achievable: Cut unnecessary expenses, allocate funds for relocation, and open a dedicated savings account.
- Realistic: Ensures financial preparedness for the move.
- Timely: Complete the budget and savings plan within two months.
