As the year comes to an end, people are starting to think about what they want to achieve in 2020. Whether it’s eating healthier or growing an email list for your small business, it’s important to keep the goals you set for the New Year.
Unfortunately, most people who set New Year’s resolutions rarely accomplish them. It’s easy to get caught up in the exhilarating feeling of starting over and becoming a better you. But, if you aren’t careful, you’ll wind up like the majority who don’t achieve their goals and end up exactly where they started. It’s crucial to set and stick to your objectives so you can be the best version of yourself possible.
If you want to set and achieve your goals for the upcoming New Year, here are four tips to help you get started.
1. Start small
It’s tempting when planning the future to think of a million things you want to achieve. However, setting several big goals isn’t practical and will keep you further from success. Imagine trying to tackle seven huge tasks off your resolutions list. It’s overwhelming and makes you feel tired before you’ve begun.
Instead, start small. Pick two or three smaller goals you want to accomplish for the upcoming year. When you’ve mastered them, you can move onto the next leg of the goal so it feels easier to overcome.
For example, let’s say your ultimate objective is to create a blog that gets a thousand unique views per post. Rather than focusing on the thousand views, start with a smaller number. It’s important when goal setting to remain realistic about what you can expect so you don’t feel let down when you don’t reach overnight success.
2. Be intentional
When you hold yourself accountable, it’s easier to follow through with your goals because you’re pressing yourself to achieve them. Being able to see your goals in front of you solidifies your intentions and reminds you of why you set these goals in the first place. Simply telling them to yourself isn’t enough to bring them to life.
Make an effort to be intentional with your goals. Write them down in a notebook regularly. Say them out loud to yourself on a daily basis. Use art to create a vision board that shows the life you’re walking towards. Tell a friend about your goals so they can also keep you accountable during times when you feel like slacking.
One study found that 70 percent of people who send weekly updates to a friend about their progress are likelier to achieve success. If you struggle with self-discipline, consider sharing your ambitions with someone you trust for better results.
3. Set a deadline
The more specific you get about when you want to achieve your goals, the likelier you are to stick to them. Setting a timeline is a great way to reinforce your intentions and put your plan into action. As time ticks away, it becomes more crucial to solidify your ambition and make things happen.
Create a specific deadline for accomplishing your goals. Whether it’s one month or one year, reminding yourself of the time you have is essential to moving forward. If you set a lax time frame, then you deviate from the purpose and become lazy about your next move. Refrain from this mindset and be stern about when you want to see results.
To make it easier to visualize, create a calendar that lays out each step of your journey. When you can see how much time you have in front of you, it’s easier to create a realistic plan you can stick to.
4. Reward yourself
Sticking to goals isn’t easy. It takes self-discipline and motivation to achieve what you say you will. Even if you go off a path a little, it doesn’t mean all hope is lost. It’s normal to deviate once in a while, especially when you’re used to living a certain way.
Instead of beating yourself up every time you fail, remind yourself that you’re human and these things happen. It isn’t the end of the world. When you do overcome an obstacle, even a small one, treat yourself to something you enjoy. Whether it’s a sweet treat or a visit to the spa, it’s important to remember that you’ve come a long way already and it’s worth celebrating.
Conclusion
When you create goals, it’s crucial to stick to them so you see results and become the best version of yourself. People create goals to improve their lives, so if you struggle to achieve them, then it’s time to put rules in place.