I love setting goals. Unfortunately my goals don't always love me back.
I don't know about you, but goal wise, 2104 was a pretty bad year. Yesterday I was looking through the goals I had set for 2014, and I realized I only accomplished one goal from my list. One goal out of twelve. It was pretty depressing, but it gave me resolve to make sure my goals for 2015 actually come true. 2015 is going to be different. Here are 7 tricks that should help all of us to make sure 2015 is not a repeat of my 2014 in the goal department.
1. Take Time to Set Goals:
I'm sure its easy for most of us to make a list of things we want to accomplish. It would probably take most people about a minute. The trouble with that approach to goal making is that you aren't taking the time to really think about why the goals on your list are important and if they are realistic. Ensure your goals are achievable and within the realms of reality so the same goals you feel so excited about now don't become demotivating later on.
2. Write Down Your Goals:
Studies have proven that a person is much more likely to accomplish their goals if they write them down. Write down how you will know you have reached your goal, and when you would like to achieve the goal by. Write your goals in terms of what you want, not what you don't want. Example: "I want to be able to fit into my wedding dress again", rather than " I don't want to be fat anymore."
3. Tell Someone About Your Goals:
Sometimes it's a lot easier to accomplish our goals when there is another person beyond ourselves holding us accountable. Danica and Skyler are great people to talk to about my weight loss goals because they help hold me accountable and are great at 'gently' guiding me towards healthy choices. When you know that you will have to tell someone that you have been sidetracked in achieving your goal, it makes it a lot less likely that you will become sidetracked to begin with.
4. Break Your Goal Down.
Alot of times the goals we are setting are very large goals that are made up of tons of smaller components. For example the goal to lose weight has a lot to it. How are you going to lose weight? Breaking down your large goal helps you to be more specific. Write down your smaller goals and try to set dates to have those accomplished by. Having smaller goals under our large goals makes the large goal easier and gives us a feeling of success along the way. If your goal is to lose 30 pounds, but it takes a long time, you could get discouraged and quit. But if you have smaller goals like working out 4 times a week or running a 5k or a half marathon, and you meet those small goals, it will help you to keep working for the 30 pounds even if it takes awhile.
5. Give Up the Need for Immediate Results.
One of the drawbacks of accomplishing goals is that unless you developed good habits while working towards accomplishing your goal, you will end up having to accomplish that same goal the next year. If you do a fad diet and lose 20 pounds really quick, but never got into a habit of eating healthy and working out, the likelihood is that you will be trying to lose 20 pounds the next year as well. Change your mindset that you have to see results right away. True progress takes time.
6. Commit to Yourself.
There's a quote out there that says,"It's funny how day by day, nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different." One year from now you will be one year older no matter what. What can you do today that will make looking back to today feel different and really satisfying? Commit to yourself now, and then recommit if you have a setback.
7. Celebrate Your Accomplishments.
As far as I'm concerned, life is meant to be celebrated. Life is really hard, and if something good happens it deserves to be recognized. Recognize the success you are having as you work towards your goals and celebrate them along the way.
XOXO,
