It comes around every 365 days, the time where folks make a resolution instead of a goal.

We gather up the remnants of the holiday decorations and pray that all of the stuff fits back in the box. We reflect. We hope. We dream about all things new.  Specifically, the new year.

Many people make resolutions to ring in the new year. Personally, resolutions don’t do much for me because they just seem so… disposable. Thirty-three seconds after I make a resolution, my resolve fails, and instead of hitting the treadmill at the gym, I’m raiding the cabinets looking for a treat.

Due to my achieving nature, I like to speak a language I embrace, which is why I forego the stereotypically short-lived resolutions. I set goals.

Goal setting. Sounds easy, right?

Believe it or not, the way we set our goals as spouses, parents, leaders, friends, or volunteers will have a huge impact on whether we are successful in our quest.

Here are five tips to help you go for the goal this year—from the time the ball drops until we switch the calendar again next year:

1. Be SMART about your goal.

When setting goals, it is important to be SMART—and I don’t just mean thoughtful. Actually S.M.A.R.T. Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound.

Example of not-so-S.M.A.R.T goals: “Lose weight” or “Get out of debt”

Example of  S.M.A.R.T goals:

• Lose 25 pounds by my birthday by participating in Weight Watchers and working out at least four days per week.
• Get out of debt before Dec. 31, 2015, by creating a budget and tracking our expenses.

See the difference? The second set of goals have a lot more meat, which will lay a solid foundation for success.

2. Break it down.

Once you have your SMART goals created, break them down into attainable chunks. Set mid-range or monthly benchmarks, like losing three pounds per month or paying at least $200 on a specific debt account.

3. Stay focused.

This is important. Write your goals down, and post them where you see them—daily! I keep my list in my journal, and sometimes add a pressing goal to my bathroom mirror or kitchen wall. It keeps me focused when tempted to make a choice that might set me back.

4. Embrace grace—not excuses.

Friends, there is a big difference between giving yourself grace and living in the land of excuses. Excuses usually sound like they should be in a cereal—they’re flaky. Phrases like “I can always do it tomorrow,” or “But I really want to eat/spend/enjoy this now.” Instant gratification and comfort are sneaky culprits of excuses.

Grace is different yet necessary in our mission to grow personally. Let’s face it: As military spouses, life happens. Some days we won’t be able get in the rocking workout that we were hoping to because the baby is sick or hubby’s schedule changed last minute. We might not be able to pay extra on a loan one month because the truck needed new tires. That’s okay—as long as we don’t make it a habit. Embrace the grace, then get back on the wagon as soon as you can. One of my favorite quotes to help me avoid excuses is “Six months from now you will be thankful you started today.”

5. Avoid comparison, and be creative.

As you’re creating your goals, don’t compare them to your sister/neighbor/Facebook friend. Tailor your goals to yourself, and remember that we’re all different. Some folks in this world can reach goals with little effort while others have to work their butts off (literally.) Also, be creative. Don’t let the “typical” ideas trap you into doing something you really don’t desire. Consider all goal-type categories, such as physical, financial, spiritual, relational, mental, emotional, etc.

Some fun ideas include:

• Reading a specific number of books this year
• Achieving a new fitness goal, like doing a pull-up or running a race without walking.
• Writing an encouraging note to a friend every week.

The possibilities are endless.

Best of luck as you go for the goal this year, dear friends!

What goals do you have? I would love to hear about them and encourage you! Leave a comment below.