How To Achieve Your Goals

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Today I decided to do something a bit different from my normal content. I thought I would share my tips on achieving your goals. I have tried to make this as short as possible. However I always tend to make things really lengthy, so we'll see how we go. Please let me know what you think of the post and whether or not you'd like to see more post like this.

1. Be Specific 
When making a goal it is best to make it a specific statement. Specific statements are clear and
 provide the goal setter with direction. They provide a way for the person to achieve the goal, making it more attainable. A general goal is more vague, it doesn't give the goal setter direction.

An example of a general goal would be to 'get in shape'. While an example of a specific goal is 'To lose 5kg by December. I will do this by going to the gym three times a week'. Which of these do you think is more likely to help you achieve your goal ?

Things to include when setting goals:
- time frame.
- a quantifiable goal.
- how you are going to achieve it.
- why you want to achieve said goal.

2. Write it down. 
I know you have all probably heard this a million times. You probably think it's bullshit, I know I did. However, now I think that there may be merit to it.

Think about it, If you just think 'my goal is to get more into shape', that is more than likely to be just a fleeting thought. Don't get me wrong, I think at the time you intended to do just that. It just wasn't set it stone so it didn't happen.
If you instead went home and wrote that specific goal down, it is something you have thought about more and have committed to achieving. It is more concrete than a fleeting thought. Does that make sense?

In addition, make your goal a positive statement as it will motivate you. For example 'Do not eat Junk food' is a negative statement. 'I will eat more healthy and nutritious foods' Is a positive one. Both the same goal, just written differently.

3. Make Short Term Goals
 Long term goals can be daunting, they can look unattainable. This can sometimes result in the loss of motivation. Achieving a goal is a journey, it doesn't just happen. When you're working towards that long term goal, you usually achieve small victories along the way. These victories keep us motivated. Creating short term goals is essential in reaching long term goals. They motivate you by giving you small milestones to work towards (more direction). If your long term goal takes a year to achieve, and you don't have any smaller victories along the way; your motivation is likely to deplete.

If your long term goal is to lose 10kgs in 5 months,  your short term goal could be to lose 2kgs in a month.

4. Make it measurable 
The goal needs to be quantifiable. If it isn't then how are you going to know whether or not you've achieved it? It could be to read 10 books in 3 months or being able to run 6km's by the end of the year. There just needs to be evidence of progress.

5. Realistic
Your goal needs to be realistic. This means that it needs to be something you can achieve in the amount of time you have set. An example of a non realistic goal is  to lose 10kgs in a week. The realistic version of that goal would be to lose 10kg's in 5 months.

6. Plan Ahead & Incorporate your goal into your routine. 
Planning ahead is the key to achieving your goals. If you don't make time for it then chances are you will just keep putting it off. Remember that time you said you would do it tomorrow? Now remember when tomorrow came and you put it off again? It's okay, we're all guilty of it. To prevent this you need to make time and plan ahead. That means putting that morning run in your planner and getting everything ready the night before. I also try to do one thing towards my goal every day.

7. Don't Give Up. 
We all make mistakes, we all lose motivation and fall off track.  It's what you do next that counts. You can either start again or you can give up. 'Successful people' make mistakes too, what sets them aside from others is that they get back up and try again.

Do you have any tips? If so please leave them in the comments below. Your tip could help someone reach their goal!

Ps. Small Lifestyle Goals For 2016 ,  It's Okay To Need A Break. . I've also been loving The Crimson Cardigan's blog lately -xx

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