Successfully achieving goals is key to leading a happy and fulfilling life. But all too often, our goals are either too vague or too lofty, setting us up for disappointment when we don’t meet them. In this post, we’ll share some tips on how to set better, more realistic goals that will help you find success. Whether you’re looking to improve your personal or professional life, following these guidelines will put you on the path to fulfilling your potential. So let’s get started!
Define what success looks like to you in specific, measurable terms
To me, success is all about definable personal achievement. It’s about setting goals and pushing yourself to reach them in measurable ways. Doing so allows you to have a clear outline of what needs to be accomplished. It also means feeling contentment and satisfaction with these accomplishments along the way. This is crucial for consistency and longevity in your quest for success. I’m always striving to keep moving forward, celebrating my successes as I go, and challenging myself to do even more. One of my idols Alex Hormozi said; “You don’t become confident by shouting affirmations in the mirror, but by having a stack of undeniable proof that you are who you say you are.” That is what success looks like to me. The first step is to set realistic goals.
Make a plan of action detailing how you will achieve your goal. Include steps you need to take and resources you need to acquire
Creating a plan of action is necessary to achieve any goal. To get started, break your plan down into achievable milestones. Figure out the result that you are aiming for and then backtrack from there. Once the end result is clear in your mind, start creating realistic goals that will be accomplished incrementally over time. This could be imposing specific calorie restrictions, exercise routines, completing courses for your career, or scheduling mandatory quality time with loved ones. To do this effectively, decide what resources you will need to utilize and source the education you need. Resources include professional mentors, innovative technology, planners, online education, programs – whatever information or assistance that will help you along the way. Establish a timeline for completion with checkpoints where your progress can be assessed with help from someone else. This is also beneficial for staying on track and will help you achieve your ultimate goal.
Set a deadline for achieving your goal, and break it down into smaller timelines
Setting a deadline for achieving a goal is essential for success; however, it can often feel intimidating. To combat this feeling and make your goal more attainable, break down the task into smaller goals with timelines. Focus on moving one foot in front of the other, not taking large giant leaps. By repeatedly making small deadlines you will stay motivated and productive as you progress. These steps eventually lead up to the completion of your larger aspirations. In addition, setting deadlines for these smaller tasks creates structure throughout the entire process, which encourages accountability. Keeping track of progress and being able to visibly see the forward momentum will inspire you to keep pushing toward your ultimate goal.
Hold yourself accountable by sharing your goal with others and checking in regularly on your progress
Taking proactive steps to hold yourself accountable is a necessary tool when you set realistic goals. One of these steps includes sharing the goal with others: the commitment to someone else helps build momentum, forces you to be clear on your desires, and drives you forward when challenge or temptation starts to call. I feel worse when it feels like I’m letting someone else down, rather than if I just let myself down. This also allows you to get feedback from those close to you that can help identify areas for improvement or alternative routes for achievement. Many times feedback from outside sources helps break perspective barriers and biases in your mind. Deadlines are also a helpful tool that you can share but must be kept realistic. Timeframes are designed to add positive pressure and push you, not break you.