Achieving a goal gives us so much satisfaction. It makes us feel good, proud of ourselves and gives us a sense of purpose and fulfilment. So why not set goals for yourself all the time, to achieve those feelings?
People often have goals in their mind, but many obstacles get in the way of us reaching them.
Our limiting beliefs of…I can’t do it! I’m not good enough! I don’t have enough time. It may be a lack of motivation that holds us back. Or is it because your goals aren’t clear enough?
So, let’s look at how we can set achievable goals and stay motivated.
Grab yourself a notebook
Write down the goals you’d like to achieve.
Begin by thinking differently. Bring your awareness to the negative thinking that holds you back. Listen to your inner critic and write down the beliefs that are holding you back.
I can’t do it
I’m the same as my Mum/Dad
I’m not clever enough
I don’t have the skills
I’m too lazy
I can’t run
I’m useless
I’ve got no motivation
and then literally change these thoughts around.
Instead of ‘I’m not good enough’ say, ‘I can do whatever I set my mind to.’
Instead of ‘I haven’t got time’ say, ‘I’m going to make time.’
Instead of ‘I just don’t have the motivation’ say, ‘I can be motivated.’
Write these new ways of thinking in your notebook and start to use them. Say no to those negative thoughts and switch them to the positive.
Create daily positive affirmations to assist this new way of thinking:
I am good enough
I am motivated
I am successful
I am fit and healthy
I am a positive thinker.
Write these in your notebook. Put them in your phone. Have them at the side of your bed. Stick them on the bathroom mirror. Say these every single morning when you wake up and every single evening as you go to sleep. Repeat them throughout the day as and when needed.
Now let’s look at your goals again. Do they look something like these?
To change my job
To lose weight
To be more motivated
The problem with these goals is that they are your umbrella goal. They are too wide and too vague, so we need to break it down into SMART goals.
What is a SMART goal?
SMART is an acronym which stands for:
Specific – the goal should be precise with no room for misinterpretation.
Measurable – the goal should be quantifiable and progress easy to track.
Achievable or Attainable – the goal should be realistic and therefore attainable.
Relevant – The goal should contribute to your broader umbrella goal.
Time bound – the goal should have a start and end date.
Your umbrella goal could be…To get fit. But the important question is how? It is too overwhelming!
Specific – I’m going to run 3 times a week
Measurable – I will follow the couch to 5k app, to enable me to to run 5k non stop.
Achievable or attainable – I am reasonably healthy, I’ve done a bit of running before, I can walk large distances.
Relevant – I want to become fitter, I want to feel better in myself, I want to lose some weight.
Timebound– The app runs for 9 weeks
Your goal then becomes: I am going to do couch to 5k, in 9 weeks to be able to run 5k. Write it down.
Your umbrella goal could be…To change my job. But the question is how? It is too vague!
Specific– I’m going to be a life coach, working online.
Measurable- I will complete the life coaching course by December.
Achievable or Attainable – I have time on the evenings and weekends to complete this. I’m good with people. I’m passionate about change.
Relevant- I want to be self-employed, have flexible working hours and feel fulfilled in my job.
Timebound- I will complete the course by December, spending 6 hours a week on it.
Your goal then becomes: I will complete my life coaching course by December. Write id down.
Once you have decided on your goal or goals (I recommend no more than 5 at a time, write them out in your notebook every day and at the end of each day reflect on what you have done to achieve this and what you need to do next. Only focus on the positives, write these down. This keeps you focused and motivated.
Good luck!