Maybe your goal seems silly, crazy, too big or too small. If you keep thinking about it, then it is definitely worth acting on. Accept and own it.
My first goals were around paying off debts. It started with a spreadsheet tracking my credit card debts. Thanks to clear vision, I have managed to accurately monitor my finances through the years and pay off major credit card debts.
Here are five tried and tested tips that can help you set goals that you can actually achieve:
Accept that you have a goal or dream
In the past, I wasn’t really good at setting goals in other areas of my life except financial goals. It never crossed my mind that I needed to track them. However, this changed a couple of years ago when a long-term dream seemed to be far-fetched. Realising that this long-term dream was actually a goal helped me to finally take it seriously and pursue achieving it.
Admitting that this long-term dream was something I wanted scared me into thinking that I was weak. Not recognising that your dreams should be goals can hold you back from making the progress you desire.
Write the goal down
Studies have shown that setting a goal and writing it down increases the chances of achieving that goal. Looking back at my personal life, I have to agree that this approach significantly changed my life and it can also change your life. The goals that are in your head will remain in your head for as long as you don’t write them down.
Be ready to adjust your goals
As you live and hopefully grow, your goals will change or may need adjustments. Life is a process where we learn from our experiences allowing us to get a better understanding of ourselves so that we can adapt accordingly.
Sometimes you realise that some dreams are not meant for you and that’s fine or that your dream needs to be adjusted to something more relevant to you now. Focus on the goals that are still valid.
Accept that your goals are yours
Your goals are yours. Not everyone will believe in your goal or in you but that’s ok because they don’t have to. That’s a hard pill to swallow but it’s just reality. It’s great when people around you believe in you and your dreams, it gives extra motivation. However, you need to brace yourself to defend your goals on your own. After all, they are your goals and nobody else’s. If you count on people around you to believe in your dreams, then you will face challenges achieving those goals when no one encourages you anymore.
Find your support system
It’s difficult to self-motivate all the time. That’s why finding like-minded people or a mentor can make a huge difference. Looking at people who have done similar things or crazy, silly, unbelievable things is extremely helpful. We are so blessed to have access to many groups online, join one or two. Find encouragement where you can get it from people who have been through a similar journey and will understand your cause.
Finding a mentor or coach can make a huge difference in the process to achieve your goals. Before you think of my bias as a coach, which I might be, but it’s because I don’t know any person who has been properly coached who regretted it. A mentor can be a book, or someone you follow online willing to share their experience.