If you strongly desire a goal, your brain will perceive obstacles as less significant than they might otherwise appear. (Journal of Experimental Psychology)
In 90% of studies, specific challenging goals led to higher performance. (Psychological Bulletin)
When setting goals for the New Year, consider using a goal-setting technique to help you succeed. There are many options to choose from whether you are working on personal or career goals. An example of a goal-setting technique is SMART goals, which stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time bound. Setting your goals with these key areas in mind helps you focus your efforts. Other goal-setting techniques worth exploring include HARD, WOOP, OKR, and PACT. Check out the article 10 Effective Goal-Setting Techniques for Achieving Your Goals to learn more about these goal-setting techniques.
The presentation “Tips for Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions,” by UO Psychology Professor Elliot Berkman is also a helpful resource for setting and reaching goals. It offers insights into the neuroscience of goal setting and provides tips on how to create the best environment for sticking to your New Year’s resolutions.
Resources to Wellness
In collaboration, Human Resources and the UO Ambassadors program highlight the following wellness resources.
Wellness Ambassadors Newsletter
The Wellness Ambassador program is an extension of the Duck Nest that brings health and wellness education to UO employees in the workplace.
The December edition covers a variety of wellness resources and includes topics on goalsetting for your health and intellect:
The importance of slowing down and pausing with the winter solstice.
Using values, self-compassion and more as part of accomplishing goals in our lives.
Six strategies for improving emotional health.
In addition to these resources, each edition of the monthly newsletter includes insights and ideas on a variety of ways to help you enhance your emotional and physical wellbeing.
The following information is for benefits-eligible employees.
The University of Oregon’s employee assistance program provider, Cascade Centers, Inc. (rebranding as Canopy), can provide one-on-one consultation to assist you with your unique needs. Visit the Human Resources website for more information about the EAP and to access services.
The following presentations offer ideas and insights into effective goal setting:
Goal Setting for Life Benefit-eligible employees access this webinar by logging in to Personal Advantage. If you are registering for the first time, use “State of Oregon” as your employer.
The UO Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Cascade Centers, rebranding as Canopy, is a free service that can assist benefits-eligible employees with a wide variety of issues that may interfere with their day to day activities. This confidential service provides telephone contact and/or in–person sessions as needed to assist with completing an intake, assessment, and referral.
