Did you make New Year's resolutions this year only to find that you've already broken them? That doesn't mean you have to throw in the towel just yet. You can restart the process of goalsetting any time, and now is as good a time as any. Use these tips to increase your odds of being successful this time.
1. Write Your Goals Down and Look at Them Regularly
Try writing your goals down in either a notebook or in a digital document for easy access. Writing them down is the easy part, but it's a great step because it lets you visualize concrete goals that you intend to accomplish. Now, make it a point to look at this document on a regular basis, preferably every day. This will serve as a reminder and a consistent boost of motivation.
2. Set Aside Time Each Day to Focus on Goals
Take the every-day approach a step further and set aside a predetermined amount of time to spend working toward your goals each day. It doesn't have to be long, as long as it keeps you on track. If your goal is to save more money, review your spending each day and look for ways to optimize it. If your goal is to get more exercise, set aside 30 minutes each day that you will dedicate to this. If you can continue for a longer amount of time, great! But 30 minutes is an easily achievable goal.
3. Use Apps to Stay on Track
Quite a few smartphone apps are dedicated specifically to helping people stay on top of their goals, including ClickUp and Strides. Explore a few of them and see if they work for you. Check out your phone's app store to see what's available. Depending on what your goals are, you might also be able to utilize apps you already use in new ways.
4. Think About Why You Set the Goals to Begin With
If you got off track with one of your goals, take time to reflect on why you set that goal to begin with. Is it a goal still worth working toward? Is there a better way to stick to it? Is there still a need that should be met? If the answer is yes, acknowledge that and use it as motivation. If the answer is no, perhaps your time would be better spent working on a different goal.
5. Expect Setbacks
Anticipate setbacks. Most goals aren't met without a few bumps in the road, but the key is to persevere and move on. Keep working toward the goal and don't get discouraged.
6. Find an Accountability Partner
It can be very beneficial to have someone to help hold you accountable, so if there's someone you can form this kind of a relationship with, it's worth considering.
"An accountability partner is someone with whom you establish an ongoing, reciprocal relationship," explains ActionBuddy.io.1 "Each member of the partnership commits to coach the other towards achieving their goals and to be held accountable for their progress towards their own. This relationship helps each partner to stick to their commitments. It’s not just about a shallow offer of congratulations when you achieve something, or a simple reminder to complete a task, but a deep relationship based on trust and commitment, where both members of the partnership coach and support each other along their journey."
7. Outline Steps for Achieving the Goals
It may help you visualize how to achieve your goals if you outline the steps you will need to take to accomplish them. The more detailed, the better. You can then use this as something of a manual to follow and help keep yourself on track. Think of steps as mini-goals.
8. Make Pursuing Goals More Enjoyable
You're more likely to stick to a resolution if you enjoy going through the motions that help you meet your goals. Find ways to make the process of pursuing your goal more enjoyable. For example, if your goal is to exercise more but you dislike aerobics classes, find an activity that you like to do, such as swimming, basketball, or dancing, to keep you on track.
9. Reward Yourself for Hitting Milestones
Set milestones so you can feel good about hitting small goals on your way to the main goal. Reward yourself for achieving these milestones in ways that don't sabotage the goal itself.
10. Be Realistic
You're never going to hit your goals if they aren't realistic to begin with. Don't kid yourself about what you're actually able to do. Push yourself to achieve what's within your power, but don't reach beyond what you're capable.
Getting behind on your goals is nothing to be ashamed of, but don’t let yourself get discouraged. Just hold yourself accountable, get back on track and keep pushing forward.