Have you ever become frustrated when goal setting?
Even the most ambitious and successful of us struggle with poor goal setting, poor planning, self-doubt, and any number of hurdles that can get in the way of realizing our dreams.
In order to meet your goals, you need to make sure that you have a realistic and attainable plan in place.
When done right, goal setting should fuel your ambition and keep you motivated. Here are some tips for setting and achieving your goals.
1. Write it All Out
Your goals become clear and concrete when you write them down. Think of it as a contract you’ve written for yourself that this is the goal you are committed to accomplishing.
Goal setting requires visualization. Having something concrete that’s visual you can look at every day (like a vision board) in combination with writing about your progress are both excellent ways to stay on track.
2. Organize Your Goals
As you are writing your goals down, you need to do this in such a way that you’re creating a realistic plan that you can stick with.
Practical goal setting involves approaching your goals and structuring the plan in a specific way.
For instance:
- Break bigger goals down into smaller chunks
- Depending on the scale of the goal, break it down even more
- State your goals in the present tense
- Start each mini-goal with an “I” phrase
Your brain naturally responds to messages in the present rather than in the past or future tense.
By starting it with “I,” you create a sense of ownership. And by writing it in the present tense, your subconscious visualizes your goal as it will happen right now.
3. Envision Your Bigger Purpose
When it comes to important goals, how do we make a plan, stick with it, and stay motivated all at the same time?
Goal setting goes beyond creating a plan of action. It’s about gaining the motivation essential for us to strive for things we desire most and that are the most meaningful to us.
When we do it well, we have a much better chance of achieving the most important goals.
When you vividly imagine something like achieving your goals, your mind starts to make the distinction between what is real and what is imagined. Believe in the goal enough, and you’ll be more drawn to it.
4. Know Your “Why”
Have you asked yourself why you’ve set this goal for yourself? Without knowing the “why,” you’ll lack the drive and motivation to maintain the momentum to see the journey through.
But when you wake up every morning with a clear understanding of why this aligns with your inner purpose, you’ll be naturally driven towards sticking with your plan.
5. Make Sure Your Goals Align with Your Values
You must align your goals with your personal and professional values for them to be meaningful.
Without this, achieving it will feel insignificant, especially if you do not feel comfortable, positively content, and accomplished.
6. Can You Go Bigger?
Fear and doubt often get in the way of us setting the goals that really matter. Ask yourself if anything is holding you back from aiming for the things you want.
At the same time, when you’re goal-setting, you should break down your goals into manageable pieces and not try to chew off too much at once.
The bigger the goal relative to your own situation, the more time and patience you’ll need to achieve it.
7. Start Your Planning Process
Whether it’s a 5-year plan or a 3-month plan to reach your goal, a timeline lets you know if you are on schedule and progressing.
Doing this will allow you to have a rough idea of when you’ve reached the smaller milestones that lead you towards the main goal.
8. Prepare for Potential Roadblocks Now
No one can predict the future, and there are bound to be bumps along the way to achieving your goals.
When you address this possibility at the outset, you can figure out ways of managing these pitfalls before they throw you off course.
It’s always possible to get back on your path, even when you feel fearful or discouraged. Know that you can adjust your plan and still be on the right track.
9. Commit to Your Action Plan
The next step to goal setting is goal getting, but you’re not likely to achieve your goal if you lack the commitment to implement it.
If you cannot commit to your own goal, it means that you need to re-evaluate your intentions.
If your goal is not aligned with your desire, passion, and values, you will not be motivated to see your plan through.
10. Get Support
To achieve our goals, we need consistent motivation.
Mentors, coaches, and even therapists all play a role in helping us achieve meaningful goals. They can hold us accountable, give us tools and strategies to stay on course, and encourage us if we’re feeling doubtful.
Having a reliable coach at your side is an invaluable tool.
I Help Leaders Realize Their Full Potential
Goal setting is much more than just defining a goal and declaring that you will achieve it. You need someone by your side to help you navigate roadblocks, stay on track, and adjust your strategy when necessary.
If you need help with leadership, management, or business goals, I have insights, programs, and strategies to help you achieve your dreams.
Are you ready to experience next-level success? I can get you there. Go to https://meetme.so/GregNichvalodoff to set up a consultation.
Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you:
3 “Precommitment” Strategies for Achieving Your Goals
How Cognitive Dissonance Helps With Your Persuasion Skills
The Power of the Peer-to-Peer Learning Environment
