As the new year approaches, a lot of us are focusing on setting new goals, making New Years Resolutions, and creating dream boards. And yet over 75% of people are NOT actually accomplishing their goals.
How will you be the exception this year?
Let’s take a moments and break this down… with seven tips to help you succeed.
1. Goals need to be Specific and Measurable. A goal of running everyday may burn you out, but a goal of running at 5am, 3 times per week can be measured and completed. Saying I want to do this MORE or do that LESS is can not be quantified or measured. Goals need to include details to be specific.
2. Schedule time to accomplish your goals. Block off time in your calendar. Make appointments with yourself. Set the alarm clock for 5am and get to work on yourself. If it’s written on the calendar it’s more likely to happen. Read my previous post about the magic of 5am here. I believe that one simple change that can increase the success rate of any goal, whether you use that time to workout, read, journal, plan, or just meditate and prepare for your day.
3. Break down the goal in to daily, weekly, or monthly tasks. Often we start with a big dream, but fail to break it down to the appropriate size steps to take action. If your goal is to run a marathon, think through what each week will look like, and what each training day will include. What do you need to do to make it happen? Hire a coach, get a training plan, get a training buddy, start strength training, join a running group. Get rid of any distractions. Take those small steps, that include planning and action.
4. Celebrate your victories along the way. Think of rewards for yourself, or your family that will serve as motivation to keep going. Rewards for others may be more motivating than only rewards for yourself. Do not use food or shopping as rewards if those will cause setbacks to your goal. A chart to track progress provides added motivation and a feeling of accomplishment. Every time you color in a box on your chart or check off a workout or task as complete you are one step closer to your goal and can measure your progress.
5. Share your goals with others that will support and encourage you. Use friends, family, or social media for added accountability. Use online groups to connect with others who share your passion or have similar goals. Surround yourself with other motivated and likeminded people.
6. Write down your WHY. Ask yourself why this goal is important to you, and visualize how you will feel when you accomplish this goal. Post this where you will see it, perhaps on your desk or on your refrigerator. A post-it note on your bathroom mirror may be all you need as a visual reminder of your why. Hint: Keep asking WHY until your WHY makes you cry.
7. Start Small. Don’t get overwhelmed with big dreams. Start with one step that is realistically attainable, and use that success as momentum for the next step. Accomplishing even one thing is better than setting too many goals and then abandoning them all.
For further help or accountability please feel free to msg me. I would be honored to help you achieve your goals, create a training plan specifically for you, or provide insight and accountability for you this year. If you are planning to run your first marathon this year please let me know that as well.
As Zig Ziglar said, “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”
If this post was helpful, please leave a comment. Thanks!
Run Cari 