Do you have big dreams and goals for 2017? Are you one of those people that make New Year’s resolutions each year and keep them or do you have great intentions to make changes in your life, however a couple of months into the New Year, your ‘day to day’ life seems to take over and your resolutions fall by the wayside?
If this is you, then you’re not alone as a recent study by University of Scranton, USA stated that 45% of people make New Year’s resolutions. However, only 75% of people continue with their resolutions for a week, 46% of people are still on track in 6 months and only 8% of people are successful in achieving their goal.
So how can you stay on track with your 2017 goals – whether it’s to lose weight, spend less and save more, quit smoking, change jobs, stay fit and healthy, fall in love, spend more time with your family or even a more specific time-framed goal.
Below I’ve listed 8 simple steps to keep you on track, no matter what is happening in your life.
Eight Tips to Achieve Your Goals
1. What’s your Why?
With any goal or resolution you have, ask yourself a couple of questions.
- Why do you want it?
- Does it motivate and excite you?
- How will you feel when you achieve it?
- Is it your goal?
By understanding why we want to achieve something and the hidden motivation behind it, we’re more inclined to keep going with the goal, even if it seems tough at times.
The last question – ‘Is it your goal?’ might seem a little odd, however some of us go through life setting goals that we feel we ‘should’ have, or it will ‘please’ someone else if we did it. However, deep down we might not actually want to achieve it and realise it was ‘someone else’s goal and dream and not actually ours’. If this is you, then let it go and choose something that you’re 100% passionate and committed to achieving.
2. Set Goals in Writing
When you write a goal down, it becomes real and tangible. Use positive language such as ‘I am at my ideal weight of xxkg and I feel vibrant and energetic.’ By writing your goals out daily, it will help to keep you focused on the goal.
3. Visualise
Every morning and night, visualise yourself having already achieved your goals. This is by far my favourite tip and it’s used by many successful people too, such as Jim Carey, Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith to name but a few. Read more here.
4. Break the big picture down into smaller, more specific goals
Sometimes if you have big goals it can seem very overwhelming, that you feel paralysed into not even starting or taking any action at all. So the best thing is to break them down into smaller goals.
Eg If your goal is to lose over 20 kg then break this weight goal into smaller milestones. Another example would be if your goal is to run a marathon and you currently can only run for 2 minutes, then you would aim for a 5km fun run first. Look for an event that’s happening in 3 months’ time and start a running program with this small goal in mind.
5. Decide ….Commit ….. Action
Once you’ve decided on why you want to achieve your goal, you’re committed to achieving it and you’ve broken it down into manageable chunks, it’s time to take action daily to build momentum to make your goals a reality.
Set aside time each day to commit to work on your goals, remembering that one hour is only 4% of your entire day. By taking daily consistent action you will build momentum in achieving your goals.
6. Accountability
Some people find that if they share their goals with others it keeps them accountable to achieving it. Be mindful though of whom you choose to tell as you’re looking for support, as opposed to people telling you how you won’t be able to achieve your goals.
7. Monitor your progress
Keep a daily and weekly log of how you are doing. This is a great tool to track your progress and review how you’re going.
If at any point you feel you’re plateauing along the way, you can look at your journey from where you were at the start of the year and where you are now, and see that you are in fact making progress.
If you feel you’re not making progress, you can make amends to your daily action to get you back on track again.
8. Celebrate
Celebrate your ‘mini wins’ along the way. This is a great way to stay motivated and on track, as you’ll be rewarding yourself for the progress you make. Schedule these mini milestones into your calendar, as it’s something to look forward to. You must definitely celebrate after you’ve achieved your goal as well.
“He who says he can and he who says he can’t are both usually right.” Confucius
Remember, throughout 2017 stay committed to your dreams and goals, and build momentum by taking daily consistent action.
If your 2017 goals are health related and you’re looking for more support to achieve them, then take advantage of a $47 health review with Sheridan or Jordan, Changing Habits Nutritionists. (The $47 fee can be deducted off any further recommended consultations, programs or protocols.)
Happy changing habits.
Sue Moore
Changing Habits
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