We all have specific goals for ourselves throughout the year, but sometimes they get put on the backburner. New Year’s Day is typically referenced as the start of something fresh and the first step towards the “new you.” Only 8% of people actually make their resolutions a reality, and this needs to change. We are all fully capable of achieving success, but sometimes we just need to find all the pieces of the puzzle in order to see it. Self-improvement is necessary to building a happy and fulfilling life and this article aims to provide some tips to help you succeed in whatever goals you have for yourself this year.
CREATE A PLAN
“If you fail to plan, then you’re planning to fail.”
Before anything else, you must have a plan. Any goal without a plan is simply a wish or an idea. You need to create a detailed plan of what specific steps you will take towards reaching your goal. Remember to ask yourself what, where, why, and how you are going to make it happen. You should be able to answer any question about your journey to truly be in charge and ready to take on the challenges you’ll face ahead. Proper goal setting and planning will provide the foundation for you to build upon, so leave no stone unturned!
- What are you going to focus upon?
- Where are you going to perform this?
- Why are you even doing this?
- How are going to make sure you stay accountable?
BEGIN PREPARATION
“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”
The path of least resistance is always the best travelled. Take time to prepare yourself accordingly for the new task at hand. Resolutions are challenging because they involve the things we normally don’t do or haven’t done yet! It’s going to be hard and sometimes overwhelming, so preparation is key towards managing your stress level. Make sure to have as many bases covered as possible so you leave no room for excuses to fill them. No matter how much will power you have, the more opportunities you’re given to find an excuse, the higher the chance that you will eventually take it. Be prepared and ready for action!
- Do I have all the things I need?
- Have I made time for what I need to do?
- Do I have back up plans just in case?
SOCIAL SUPPORT
“Supporting another’s success won’t ever dampen yours.”
Our friends, family, and loved ones provide the social glue we need to stick together during hard times. Without a strong social support system in place, you’re motivation and success may begin to crumble. There will be people who will question, doubt, or even discourage your actions towards your goal. This can be extremely devastating, especially when it comes from those you care about most. My best piece of advice is to remove these people from your life or stay away from them during your journey. Negativity is contagious, so stay the hell away from it. You’re already taking on an incredibly difficult task, so surround yourself with like-minded, goal driven individuals who will lift your spirits up when you’re down and provide positivity.
- Am I alone in this?
- Who can I relate to?
- Am I receiving encouragement?
STAY THE COURSE
“Obstacles are put in your way to see if what you want is really worth fighting for.”
Nothing worth having comes easy and there will be many ups and downs along the way. Success can be measured through effort and time. If you don’t place enough effort or give it enough time, you won’t see any change. I always say that if you want something you’ve never had before, you have to do things you’ve never done before. Making sacrifices is part of the process towards success. There will be many times you’ll want to quit, let up, or take an easy way, and this is ultimately your choice. The more better choices we make, the more we change and become better versions of ourselves. You need to change who you are, in order to be the person you want to become. Saying no is the hardest, but greatest thing you can do. Keep your eye on the prize and don’t stop until you get it!
- What are my temptations?
- When am I the most likely to give up? Why?
- How can I overcome my likely obstacles?
- How will I feel if I quit? If I succeed this time?
MINDFULNESS
“The words you speak become the house you live in.”
Thoughts become feelings, and feelings become actions. Throughout your journey, you will go throughout a rollercoaster of emotions. Happy, excited, proud, nervous, scared, disappointed, angry, and so forth. Regardless of the situation, it’s always important to check your inner voice. How are you really feeling? Positivity leads towards positive outcomes, however, negativity is part of the game and cannot be avoided. You will have negative moments and it can make or break you. Use these time to reflect, relax, and become more mindful. Remember the progress you have made and the progress you will make. Make time to meditate, socialize, and disconnect. You should always be aware of your goal, but never let it consume you. Acknowledge and accept your feelings and thoughts. Always try to see the change!
- How am I really feeling right now?
- Have I made progress?
- What do I truly want from this?
- How important is this to me?
REWARD YOURSELF
“Don’t wait until you’ve reached your goal to be proud of yourself. Be proud of every step you take toward reaching that goal”
Some people say that the best reward you get is from achieving your goal in itself. While I agree with that statement, I think that you should reward yourself along the way as well. As I have mentioned before, taking on a new goal or task is daunting and challenging in many ways. You are going to put yourself through situations which normally make you want to run away or fight like hell. You absolutely need to be proud of yourself and its rightful that you reward yourself along the way. Rewards should be small and within reason. Treat yourself to something that won’t harm your purpose and process in goal achievement. Rewarding leads to positive reinforcement and a higher motivation level to keep finding success along the way.
- New workout clothes or shoes
- A nice dinner or date night
- Get a massage or pamper yourself
- Tickets to a movie or show
SHARE YOUR GIFT
“Power is gained by sharing knowledge, not hoarding it.”
In my opinion, the best way to know that you’ve fully accepted change and have made actual change is to spread your newly earned knowledge onto others. You know where you’ve started, you know where you’re heading, and you know what it takes along the way. I guarantee you that there are many other people in your life that have similar goals who need help. Be a role model or mentor for others to learn from. Motivate them and encourage them to find their own success. In turn, you will not only gain a great sense of satisfaction, but you will also reinforce the fundamentals that you have built along your own journey.
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