Goooooaalll!

Okay, so, here we are…. January. New year, blah blah blah, resolutions, blah blah blah, and by the time you get to March — FAIL. Does this happen to you every year? Maybe you can do it differently this year, and maybe some of our tips will help:

1. Make it tangible.
Write it down, hang a picture of it, make it visible and real. Paste your face over a picture of someone doing what you want to accomplish. The more you can make it real, and remind yourself of where you will be when it is accomplished, the more your heart will be in it. If you sit down to do this but hear yourself say, “no way, this is ridiculous, I’ll never accomplish this goal,” then you are correct; you have not set a believable goal for yourself, and you will not achieve something you don’t believe you can do. Try setting a smaller goal that gets you going in that direction. You can always revisit and try again when it makes more sense to aim higher.

2. Set a deadline.
How do you know when you’ve succeeded? Is this something you want to achieve by the end of the year, such as lose 20 pounds by the end of 2016? Or is this something you want to accomplish regularly, like meditate every day for 20 minutes? Or even something more long-term and open-ended, like learn to play guitar? If you don’t have a deadline, think about milestones you can create for yourself and set as deadlines, like learn how to play ‘Happy Birthday’ on guitar by my cousin’s birthday in March.

3. Break it down.
Break your long-term goal down into smaller short-term goals that aren’t overwhelming. If you want to lose 20 pounds by the end of 2016, how can you divide that up into smaller goals throughout the year? Lose 10 pounds by the end of June? Lose 5 pounds each quarter? A couple of pounds each month doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Small accomplishments along the way give us the confidence to keep going.

4. Take detailed action.
What are specific actions you can take to accomplish the short-term goals that will get you to the long-term goal? Sit down and brainstorm all the options. Maybe giving up sugary drinks is enough to help, so how can you make it easier for yourself to opt for water instead? If you want to learn ‘Happy Birthday’ on guitar, should you look for YouTube videos, or sign up for lessons? Do you have a guitar, or do you need to borrow or buy one? Can you create a quiet space with a timer for uninterrupted meditation? Who can you team up with, for accountability and support?

5. Reward yourself.
When you meet your short-term goals, how can you give yourself positive reinforcement? Treat yourself to a new mug, a book you’ve been wanting to read, or a scented candle. For larger goals, maybe get a massage, take a day off from work just to read, or buy a new guitar. If purchases are not an option, write yourself positive, encouraging notes and seal them in envelopes ahead of time, and read one every time you’ve done it. When you reach your end goal, what are you going to do to celebrate?

Remember, it may be the beginning of a new calendar year, but every day is a new beginning. If you miss the mark on a short-term goal, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again. And if you need help, ask for it. We love to help people accomplish goals for their businesses, so if there’s anything we can do, let us know. 800-479-6710