How To Achieve Goals

The new year is a time for goal setting. Most of us have New Year’s Resolutions. But…how often do you actually stick to your New Years resolutions?

The new year is a time of rebirth and renewal. However, most people lose their initial enthusiasm and don’t stick to their goals. Every one starts out with good intentions, but gets side tracked or stuck in a rut. Do you think, “I’ll lose weight this year” or “I’ll work out” or “I’m going to write that book I’ve been thinking about for years”…

Is it human nature to give up easily when something requires discipline and persistence?

I want this year to be a year of success goal-setting for you.

Here are 8 tips on how to achieve goals and stick to them like glue:

#1 Set 3 very specific, attainable goals.

For example- 1) I’m going to lose 10 lbs in 3 months 2) I’m going to go for a 20 minute walk 3 days a week. 3) I’m going to find a better job by spending 30 minutes a day researching options and then sending a minimum of 3 resumes out  a week.

#2 Visualize what life will be like for you when you attain your goal.

Visualization is a powerful technique to start aligning the energy of the “future you” with the “present you”. Are you living in an ocean front house in California? Are you imagining yourself getting promoted? Having kids? Are you auditioning for American Idol?

#3 Write down the steps to achieve your goals.

Be very specific. Maybe you need to go back to school to get a degree. Maybe you need extra training. Determine exactly what you need to do and start working on each goal. In other words, break down the goal into very small steps when you are setting goals.

The actor Will Smith said his father made he and his brother build a brick wall when they were kids. It took over a year. You know how they did it? One brick at a time! That’s how you reach your goal.

When I have a goal and it seems like it’s such a steep hill to get there, I think to myself, “Put one foot in from of the other”. It’s a frame of mind to keep yourself moving ahead!

#4 Connect with your deep emotional desire to reach your goals

Write down WHY it is important to you to reach your goals. Write down what you envision changing in for life. What inspires you to reach them. Connecting with this desire is the biggest motivator. Follow your heart. Your heart will pick your most important goal, but it is your head that will help you achieve your heart’s desire.

#5 Give yourself deadlines to reach your goals.

It is human nature to be more productive when there is a deadline. Having  a deadline keeps you accountable. Make the deadline realistic and adjust accordingly.

#6 Set up daily to-do lists.

Setting up to-do lists is CRITICAL to staying on track. Give yourself homework everyday and it will get you closer to your  goals. Stick to your list. Prioritize. Take meaningful action. Don’t fool yourself by just staying busy.

#7 Every month evaluate the progress you have made toward each goal.

Make a summary of what you have accomplished and what you need to do going forward. It helps to take a step back and get perspective. Bottom line: are you happy with your progress? If not, specify what you need to change.

#8 Get an accountability partner

This could be a mentor or coach or even a friend  with a similar goal to give you an outside perspective. It will increase your motivation when you are accountable. It’s why people like to take walks for exercise with a buddy because they are too embarrassed to “fink out” again and not walk.  A coach or mentor is like a teacher and you don’t want to let your teacher down.

Here’s your take-home lesson-the essence of achieving your goals is in the planning. Take the time to develop a specific plan and be willing to tweak this plan often.

Don’t make excuses. Keep moving forward even if it is going slower than you like.

Understand that the success in reaching any goal is all about persistence and hard work. Don’t let any one tell you otherwise. If your goal is your heart’s desire- it will be worth it.

Now go after your goals and enjoy the journey reaching them.

Put any extra tips on how to achieve goals that I have missed in the comment box below.

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Tags: Dr. Sarita Uhr, goal setting, how to achieve goals, personal development