How to Set Goals that Stick
Do you find yourself struggling to stick to the goals you set for yourself? Do you often forget what goals you set? Do you feel like it is too overwhelming to meet all your goals?
What would it be like if you could achieve your goals?
The definition of a goal is a plan with a timeline.
According to Statistic Brain, only eight percent of people achieve their New Year’s resolutions. Here are some quick tips to help you achieve your goals too:
- Create a written plan. Enroll in a goal-setting workshop where you can get very clear on how to set goals, what fears get in your way, what positive attributes do you possess to help you overcome your fears, develop a timeline, and ways to celebrate your accomplishments. The act of writing your goals on paper is a game-changer for accomplishing them. According to a study by Harvard, students who wrote their goals down had earnings 10x greater than those who did not.
- Set measurable goals. The SMART goals concept is a good rule to follow. SMART stands for strategic, measurable, actionable, realistic, and timely. For example, one might set a goal of losing weight. A SMART goal setter would set a goal of losing 10 pounds in the next two months to improve her health by going to the gym three times a week and cutting out sugar and soda. Strategic: improve health. Measurable: 10 pounds. Actionable: going to the gym three times a week and cutting out sugar and soda. Realistic: the goal is achievable. Timely (or timeframe): in the next two months.
- Set a realistic number of goals. To have the most success, set one to three goals for yourself. Once you accomplish those, you can set more. The challenge with setting too many is that it becomes overwhelming and daunting. This keeps people from crossing the starting line.
- Determine an accountability plan. Weight Watchers is the most successful weight loss program, largely due to the accountability of checking in weekly at a meeting. You increase your chances of success if you have an accountability partner, or you are in a group program, or have one-on-one coaching. You can discuss your challenges, brainstorm ideas with others, and celebrate wins.
- Celebrate! You always want to celebrate your accomplishments. Weight Watchers celebrates small increments of weight loss. You lose five pounds, you receive recognition in a meeting and a ribbon. Small increments and small awards make a big impact.
Super Tips! Write one goal on a sticky note (three goals total) and post it to your bathroom mirror or your desk. Make it a habit to ask yourself in the morning what you will do today to help you achieve your goal. Ask yourself at night what you did to help accomplish your goal. Write the evening ideas in your journal to track your progress.
It is easy to get off-track and lose sight of what you want. Implementing these quick tips and the super tips ensures you have success. Always remember to celebrate!
Learn more about these popular programs by emailing jennifer@darlingcoaching.com
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