Only eight percent of people actually accomplish their New Year’s resolutions.
Why? People are creating unrealistic and ambitious goals for themselves without having a plan to reach that goal. Having ambitious goals isn’t a bad thing, but it’s important to have a strategy to help make them a reality.
Keep reading to discover four tips to help you achieve your goals.
1. Be SMART
While your goals are ambitious, they also should be SMART.
SMART goals are goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely.
A bad example of a goal would be, “I will lose weight.” While losing weight is a good thing, that goal is too vague. Instead, a SMART goal is, “I will lose 15 pounds before August by working out three times a week.”
2. Stay Motivated, Positive
People often quit their goals because they don’t stay motivated.
Instead, motivate yourself to accomplish your goals. Try setting mini goals along the way and rewarding yourself when you achieve these. Some people also find motivation when they make their goal visible through a vision board.
On those same lines, a little positive thinking goes a long way.
Try giving yourself permission to mess up and releasing yourself from any guilt. Not only can positive thinking help you accomplish your goals, but it can also change your perspective on life.
3. Set a Time Limit
One of the great tips to achieving goals is setting a time limit. While this is already covered if you make a SMART goal, it’s worth repeating.
If you set an ambitious goal with no time limit, you’ll start a never-ending journey to unhappiness. Instead, give yourself a set time to complete the goal by.
If you fail to achieve your goal within the time limit, take time to review your actions. If you tried your hardest to reach your goal, restructure your goal and try again.
4. Create Friendly Competition
If you’re wondering how to reach a goal, try creating some friendly competition.
Find a family member or a friend who has the same or a similar goal. Together, you can discuss the specifics of your goal and start a challenge. Hold each other accountable and see who can achieve their goal the quickest.
In addition to providing competition, you should also seek help during difficult times. If you find yourself struggling to stay on track, reaching out to someone who understands your goals is beneficial.
Conquer Your Ambitious Goals
With the help of these four tips, you’re well on your way toward conquering your ambitious goals.
Remember to set a SMART goal and stay motivated throughout the process. Give yourself a time limit and some friendly competition so you stay motivated. And most importantly — be realistic with yourself.
Is your personal goal career-oriented? If so, check out the business section of our site for all the best tips and tricks.