It's a new year! A time to start fresh or start over, a time when many of us are goal-laden and filled with hope. Unfortunately, the hope usually doesn't last past January. Once that month, rich with fresh ambition, is past, hope starts to wane. The energy garnered from the almost magical beginning of a new year wanes as well, and gym-goers, diet-starters, would-be organized people, and other new year's resolutionists start to drop off the radar. Why? Because these people have something in common: They don't know how to accomplish their goals. Sure, they know how to make goals, but the art of goal-keeping eludes them. If that's you, don't worry! Here's a list of 7 ways to make your goals happen:
- Set realistic, measurable goals: If your goal is to lose weight, state how much and make sure your goal is realistic for you, personally.
- Map out a plan and start so small that you can't fail:
Break each goal into a series of doable steps, ways that you can work on your goal one day or week at a time. If your goal is to get organized, pick sections or small projects to work on every week throughout the year. If you feel really overwhelmed, start even smaller-maybe organize one drawer or shelf at a time. Even if you take a week to finish a tiny project, you've made progress! - Schedule based on your plan: Use the plan you mapped out in the previous step as a guide to set up your weekly to-do list. Schedule the time, day, and how long you will spend (if applicable) on each task. Like this: Friday, 9 am: organize top of dryer-10 minutes. Saturday, 10 am: run 1/2 a mile. Avoid the temptation to over-schedule your week. Remember, you have to make it so simple that can't fail. So, start small and build up your goal-tackling endurance.
- Do your best: Stick to your schedule, but be patient with yourself when you fail. Be prepared to crash and burn a few times before the going gets smoother. Everybody messes up, just make sure you get back up and try again-you can do it!
- Review your goals: Make a point a few times a week to read over your goals and remind yourself why you want to accomplish your goals. This will help you stay focused and continue to want to accomplish your goals. Reword or reorganize your goals as needed to stay motivated.
- Hold yourself accountable: Check your progress once a week, every two weeks, or even once a month to ensure that you stay on track. Set aside some private time and be honest with yourself about your progress: are you happy with your progress? Why or why not? Did you accomplish x, y, and z?
- Do it for someone else: Realize that accomplishing a goal is always an inspiration to others and use that knowledge as fuel to move you past the humps and bumps of making a habit. Picture yourself empowering someone else to accomplish their goals by telling them your story.