How to create goals you’ll stick to
Setting goals for yourself – personal, professional and everything in between.
But how do you create goals which you’ll actually stick to? How do you know what you really want to achieve?
Let’s be honest, all too often we set goals and make promises to ourselves which we don’t end up keeping. These tips will help you create goals which you will actually stick to this year.
Start positive
The best goals – and everything if life, really – come from a positive space. Start by thinking carefully about what you want from this year. What are the things which are most important to you? What are the experiences you hope to have? If you’re in a clear, positive space when you decide on your goals, they will reflect your true ambitions and wishes.
Consider what has worked in the past
In order for your goals to work, you need to know yourself and understand what works for you. Have you been able to stick your goals in the past? Try to understand why you made those goals stick. Perhaps it was because you were working with someone else who held you accountable. Or maybe you wrote your goal down and simply made a promise to yourself.
Short-, mid- or long-term
All goals have different time frames. You need to know how long you have in order to achieve your goal. Short-term goals are achievable in less than a year. Mid-term goals will take about five years to be completed. Long-term goals should take about 10 to 15 years to be wrapped up. You need to know how long you have in order to set realistic time frames for yourself.
Get motivated
This is where you become excited about your goals. Feeling motivated is the only way you’re going to stick with them and do the necessary work. You need to feel motivated in order to go to the gym after work, study in your spare time or save for that big overseas holiday. If you’re not motivated about starting that new business you won’t do the work needed to apply for a loan or secure legal expenses cover.
Prioritise your goals
You need to prioritise your goals in order to understand where you need to focus your attention. Decide which are most important to you and spend your time completing those tasks. Other issues should not be allowed to take attention from those high priority goals.