It has been said that 60-80% of New Year’s resolutions/goals will be broken within the first two weeks. In other words, a lot of people have a hard time making the changes in their life they want to make. So you are not alone, I wanted to share with you the top ten tips to increase the likelihood for success with achieving your goals.
1. Stick to 1 or 2 important goals.
Having a laundry list of all the things you would like to change in your life can be overwhelming. Your chances for success are much higher if you stick to 1 or 2 of your most important goals. This allows you to concentrate all your energy and focus on these goals.
2. Be realistic.
Its okay to think big and want the best, but it is more important to succeed, so be realistic. Ask yourself whether or not your goals are reasonable and possible. For instance you don’t want to set a goal of not arguing with your spouse ever again because realistically you will most likely argue again.
3. Be specific.
Be as specific as possible when determining goals. Articulate how you will measure success and exactly what you are trying to achieve. Setting a goal to lose weight is too general. A better choice would be to set a specific and manageable goal. For example say, “I will lose 50 pounds by June 2019” Be specific when answering the what, when and how.
4. Connect to your motivation for achieving your goal.
Why do you want to achieve this goal? Why now? Make sure your motivation comes from your heart, and not from your head. In other words, your goal should be something you really desire, and not something you know you SHOULD do. Really connect to why this is so important to you. Pay attention to whether or not you are being driven by fear or love. Beware of setting goals based on what someone else in your life thinks you should do. Your resolutions should come from your authentic self.
5. Examine your belief in your ability to achieve this goal.
What do you believe about your ability to achieve your goals? If you have tried to reach the same goal many times before without much success, your confidence could be wavering. You could be feeding yourself negative messages without even realizing it. Be conscious about positive thinking. Remind yourself that you are capable of doing anything you set your heart to. Tell yourself every day that you have the ability to take the steps it will take to reach your goal.
6. Create a detailed plan to achieve your goal.
Lets say your goal is to eliminate the clutter in your home. But how will you start when the clutter is overwhelming? It may be helpful to break large goals into, manageable steps. Make a list of each area you need to tackle. Then break each area into even smaller segments that can be tackled easily. For instance, set time aside to clean out old clothes, then to organize sweaters, then to throw out old shoes, and finally arrange clothing by color or type. Don’t forget to specify a time limit for accomplishing each of the smaller steps. Before you know it, the larger goal will have been met.
7. Recognize that you may encounter obstacles.
Most people give up on their goals because they run into some type of obstacle along the way. Obstacles can be internal or external. Examples of internal obstacles include negative self-talk, limiting beliefs and discipline issues. Some external obstacles are the lack of time, money or resources. Know in advance what hurdles you may have to conquer.
8. Identify a plan of action to overcome obstacles.
If you are trying to give up candy, what are you going to do when you get a craving for candy, or when all your friends are chowing down on on hershey’s bars with almonds(yum)? Maybe your plan would be to carry a pack of gum with you at all times. Or perhaps you could involve yourself in a fun activity when the urge strikes.
9. Enlist the support of an accountability partner.
As you work towards your goals, it can be very helpful to have someone in your life to be your support partner. Consider asking your spouse or friend to help you stick to the goals you have set. Use this person when you are struggling and set up a plan to check in regularly with him/her.
10. Celebrate success along the way.
One of the most important things you can do for yourself is celebrate your small successes as you work towards your larger goals. Don’t wait until the end to reward yourself. You deserve to be recognized for your efforts and your commitment, especially when your goals take a long time to achieve. If you don’t celebrate on your journey, you will lose your motivation. So celebrate, celebrate, and celebrate!
Achieving your goals can be tough work sometimes, but it is also very rewarding. If you fall off your path, remember you can always get back on. Its okay to take a few detours. Its also okay to take a break to rest. Don’t beat yourself up or give up hope. Start again where you fell down and before you know it, you will be a pro at accomplishing your goals.
“Dreams don’t work unless you DO”
Much Love,
Michele