It has been quite some time since I posted anything on this blog but I recently decided to jump back in and start sharing some ideas I’ve had during my time off. For today, I’d like to share my “formula for success” when it comes to setting life goals for myself. I’ve used this approach a number of times and it has always worked for me and allowed me to get from point A to point B successfully.
One of the main focuses this time of year is goal setting. The new year starts and we make all these plans for how we want to change our lives. Unfortunately, these resolutions rarely last until February. Either they are too grand or we lose interest the minute we realize that no progress has been made.
I thought I’d give some quick tips on how to approach your goals in a specific way that will give you a greater chance at successfully reaching them. The steps don’t necessarily have to be done in this specific order, but they’re more mindsets to keep along the way so you can avoid the usual hurdles that come with goal setting.
Here are the 5 steps in the “Formula for Success” of goal setting:
1.Start Fresh
Before you make any moves in reaching your goal, it’s important that you get your mindset in the right place so you don’t start off with a negative mentality. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to just forget your previous experiences and let go of your past mistakes. Try to let go of what you think you know and just approach this process with an open-minded perspective.
With a set of fresh eyes, you might just find yourself coming up with new approaches to an old problem, which is a great way to get something done that you have struggled with in the past. At the very least you will give yourself a blank canvas where anything is truly possible.
2.Set Your Intentions
Another step to take before you get started in making your goal come to life is to make sure you are clear on what you want to happen. If you believe in visualization, now is the time to get a vision in your head of what success looks like, and more importantly, what it feels like. Try to keep your thoughts in the present tense, as if you’ve already reached your goal.
Another way of looking at this is to mentally put limits on what you won’t accept, also known as setting standards. Getting clear on what you do not want makes it easier to know whether you are on track to get where you’re headed. If you notice that you’ve strayed into “don’t want this” territory, you can easily realign your focus and get back on track.
3.Ask For Help
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to recognize that you may not have all the information or answers you need in order to reach your goal. This realization can be daunting for a lot of people, myself included. I tend to just hope I’ve got it all figured out and will know what to do, even if I’m in a completely new situation and honestly have no idea what is going on.
The best approach to asking for help is to try and surround yourself with people who can support you in achieving your goal. Rely on these resources for information and guidance. Ask questions and absorb their advice. Trust that they may know better than you if they truly are an expert. And don’t let your ego get in the way where it blocks your ability to ask for help.
4.Accept Support
Along the lines of asking for help, it can also be important to lean on your friends and family to support you and cheer you on. If you’re worried or stressed during the process of working towards your goal express that to someone who can listen. They don’t need to give advice (that’s what the resources we talked about in the step above are for).
Remember that venting to someone can help release a pressure valve of worry and doubt. You may not want to burden someone else with your issues, but if they love you and care about you then they will want to support you any way they can, even if it’s just with a listening ear. And don’t forget, when you hit a big milestone or experience a win make sure to share it and let your loved ones celebrate with you.
5.Appreciate the Wins
Speaking of wins, allow yourself to feel gratitude for every small accomplishment along the way. Reaching a big goal is more about the journey than the end destination. Yes, it will feel amazing to see your dream come to life, but it’s even more enjoyable if you have recognized the small steps along the way.
Celebrating the tiny victories helps to keep your energy high and acknowledge the progress you’re making. You don’t have to wait to hit your big end goal before you feel excited about your smaller wins along the way. And when you do reach your end goal, you will be even more proud of yourself for making the experience enjoyable. So don’t be afraid to get excited about a small success and make sure to pay yourself on the back along the way.
And that’s all…pretty simple, right?
These steps may seem small or insignificant, but they will make the difference between struggling every step of the way or enjoying and appreciating the journey towards making your goal become a reality. These steps aren’t foolproof and they don’t guarantee success, but they will make the process a lot more enjoyable. They will help you stay on track and remind you that you are not in this alone.
Let me know in the comments if you have used any of these steps in the past and how they helped you to reach your goal. And stay tuned for the next blog post, which will be written by a special guest contributor and focuses on self-care.
Until then, sending all the light & love your way,
Beth ♡