Some of the reasons include: lack of confidence, not having a workable plan for achieving them, being unrealistic by expecting too much too soon, fear of failure, and lastly, putting too much pressure on ourselves to accomplish them. Luckily there are strategies and behaviors we can adopt for successfully setting and achieving goals.
As an example, under the goal of maintaining good health, you can jot down: exercise 3-4 times a week, eat a balanced diet of protein, fruits and vegetables, get 7-8 hours of sleep etc.
For where you want to be in 5 years, you might include: finish college degree; be earning an income of x amount of dollars; have a serious personal relationship (or avoid having a serious relationship until career is established).
Plan, organize and prioritize your goals in smaller, manageable chunks. If you look at everything you want to achieve all at once, you might find it daunting and overwhelming, so it's best to organize and prioritize your goals. Instead, devise a workable plan for each item you want to accomplish.Review, update and revise. Review and update your goals on a regular basis to ensure they are still relevant to you. Doing so also keeps you on track and taking the appropriate steps and actions.
If some of your strategies aren't working, fine tune them, or devise new ones. Likewise, figure out which obstacles and distractions are getting in your way and determine what you need to do to overcome them.
We all know there will be setbacks and bumps in the road along
the way to achieving our goals, but we need not let them hinder or
take
us off course. Revise and adjust the game plan where, and when,
you
need to.
Stay focused and motivated. Staying focused and motivated is probably one of the
hardest things to do when setting goals. It is common to
periodically
fall off the wagon however, it is essential to get back on track
as
soon as possible.
A great tool for keeping you focused is the journal or workbook you've been maintaining. Go over it regularly as a reference point and to remind yourself what you want to accomplish. Set up routines or habits that will ensure you stay on track. For example - do your exercises at the same time each day; drink your protein shake first thing in the morning.
Other helpful techniques for staying motivated include the use of relevant affirmations and visualization. Many successful people, especially athletes, swear by both. It's important to 'see' yourself accomplishing a goal before you actually do. Positive affirmations implant positive thoughts into your subconscious, which in turn, prompt you to take the right actions to achieve your goals.
Goal setting, and certainly effective goal setting, has been a tried and true method for achieving success and accomplishment in life. Without it we would drift aimlessly and waste valuable time and effort in pursuits that lead nowhere. So start now! Decide which goals are most meaningful to you and devise a plan for achieving them.
Related articles:
Affirmations
- How to Make Them Real
Visualization
The Key To Reaching Your Goals
7
Power Habits That Will Improve Your Life Immediately
9 Effective Time Management Strategies
8 Scientifically Proven Ways to Learn
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