Most of us have set goals in the past but we often fail to accomplish them. A lot of times we will blame it on not having the willpower that is necessary but that’s FALSE. It honestly has nothing to do with willpower. The true motivator behind an accomplished goal is the burning desire, the drive, to reach it. When we want something that bad we won’t let anything or anyone get in our way, excuses become non-existent and all we can do is envision ourselves accomplishing whatever it is we set out to do. So, find the fire inside yourself and let’s get started!

*THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS.  PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.*

Let’s do this!

1. Reflect

First and foremost, it’s absolutely critical for you to identify what has and hasn’t worked for you in the past. Regardless if one of the goals you have in mind for yourself is one you’ve set before but never fully reached. Now is the perfect time for you to look back on what works for you and what doesn’t.

2. Get Real

Be honest with yourself. Is the goal you set for yourself a realistic one? This is very important because if it isn’t you are already setting yourself up to fail even before you start. It’s great if you want to shoot for the stars but you need to learn to walk before you can run.

3. Set a Date

Choose a date that you believe you can realistically reach this goal. Make sure you give yourself an adequate amount of time. We all want everything right now, but anything worth having takes time, be patient. Again, be realistic with your time frame and plan for possible setbacks. It’s important for me to note that while setting a date is good I don’t want you to get too hung up on it – stay flexible.

4. Map it out

Setting a goal or several goals for yourself is awesome but in order to get there, you need a solid plan in place first. Get yourself a planner and break it down. Turn that one goal into several smaller ones. For example, If you have estimated it will take you a year to reach the goal, break it down into monthly and weekly goals. By doing this you will alleviate some of the stress and anxiety you may have over getting to that finish line. Focusing your efforts on accomplishing each small goal will give you a sense of accomplishment and boost your self- esteem along the way. Who doesn’t want that? Before you know it each small goal you check off your list will ultimately get you to your main goal. You will get there before you know it!

5. Be Strategic

Now that you have laid down the foundation it’s time to put together a strategy. I believe this component to be incredibly important and often times overlooked when we set goals for ourselves. Think about this, how many times have you said I’m going to do “xyz by this date” but always seem to find yourself giving up for one reason or another? Too many times, right? The best way to overcome this is by writing down all the possible hurdles you could face along the way. For each obstacle, you come up with, write down how you can overcome it or avoid it all together if possible.

6. Make a List

I want you to list 10 reasons why you want to accomplish your goal. Don’t write down, “because so and so wants me too” either. These reasons need to be about why you want this. Then write down why you will succeed. Put this list somewhere you will see it every day (examples: bathroom mirror, in your car or on your nightstand) as a reminder which will help you stay on track.

7. Build your Tribe

Tell trusted friends and family, join a group on Facebook or create your own, as long as you’re connecting with others who are pursuing the same goal. Having a support system will help keep you accountable and continue to motivate you. It’s always nice to have people in your corner cheering you on!

8. Be in the Now

There is no better time than the present to start working towards your goal, especially when you are full of ambition and excitement. Don’t wait for that Monday or the 1st of next month to roll around – start right now. The hardest part is taking that first step but once you do you’ll be happy you did. It’s all about creating that momentum.

9. Visualize

Close your eyes and envision you are already at the finish line. Imagine how it feels, see yourself there, taste your success after your pursuit of this goal. Use all your senses and really immerse yourself in the moment. Another great visualization tool you can use is creating a vision board.

10. Question yourself

No. Don’t question yourself about whether or not you can reach your goal. Let’s say you want to lose weight as an example. When you are about to drive-thru your favorite fast food restaurant it’s time to ask yourself,” Will this help me get closer or further from my goal? “. Make this a daily habit. The more you stop and think before you do something the more aware you become.

Being present in that moment exercises your brain’s frontal lobe. The frontal lobe is responsible for our emotions, decision making, problem-solving and much more. While it will take some effort at first to exercise this part of the brain, soon it will become second nature. Your brain is a muscle and it’s just as important to exercise it as you would any other muscle in your body. Make sense?

11. Love Yourself and be positive

Stop saying you should’ve done this and you could’ve done that. It’s self-defeating. Ditch the negative self-talk. What’s done is done. That’s in the past. The only thing you should be focused on is the NOW and what you will do differently going forward. Be present and don’t overwhelm yourself with how long it may take to reach your goal. Life is not a destination, it’s a journey. You are a student of life, we all are. Take a deep breath and have a positive attitude. Use affirmations, read and watch things that motivate you.

12. Celebrate and Have Fun

Finally, don’t forget to enjoy the journey. This is a must. Yes, working towards your goals isn’t always an easy task but there is no reason you can’t make the whole experience fun. And whatever you do always remember to celebrate your achievements both big and small. Recognizing your accomplishments is vital to your overall success and a great way to practice self-love. We have all heard it before, “We are our own worst critic” and it is so true.

The most important thing for you to remember while working towards your goal is this:

Patience. Persistence. Perseverance.

Even if you feel like someone has hit the pause button on your progress don’t let that discourage you. Keep doing what you’re doing if you are making progress and don’t forget to reflect from time to time to see if you need to adjust your strategy/plan along the way. I’d wish you good luck but… YOU GOT THIS!!