6 Steps To Reach Your Goals This Year
We all have dreams and goals that we want to achieve. Life is full of things we want to reach, but sometimes the process seems difficult, especially if you don´t know where to start.
Lately I have been reading several books that talk about precisely this topic, and I want to share what I have learned with you today. These techniques that I suggest below are very simple, but at the same time very effective if they are put into practice. If you follow these steps, you can reach anything you want!
Step 1: Decide exactly what you want
You must clear your mind and define exactly what you want to achieve. Be very clear about what your goals are, and that will help you to reach them. Otherwise, you will waste a lot of time since your actions will be taken without a fixed direction.
Did you know that only 3% of adults are clear about their goals? This is without a doubt the very first step. Sit quietly and think thoroughly about what you want, where you want to be in one year, what projects you want to do, what goals you want to achieve and why these goals are important to you …
You need to understand how important this step is. Clarity on what you want and why you want it is what’s going to guide your way and keep you going on those days when you feel lost, or even feel like giving up.
Did you know that only 3% of adults are clear about their goals?
Step 2: Write it down
Write your goals down on paper, in your own handwriting. This simple step will transform those hopes and dreams into clear objectives. Physically writing your goals makes them tangible, which makes them something you can work on.
Take your time and make sure to write down all of them. It’s also a good idea to prioritize them, so that you are also clear on which ones are most important to you. You can do this by using a basic numbering system next to each goal: 1 for the most important, 2 for the intermediate, and 3 for the less important.
Step 3: Set a deadline for each goal
This step will give urgency to your goal. If there is no expiration date, it is much more likely that you will procrastinate and, consequently, not complete that goal. You can divide it into several more attainable milestones throughout the year to make it easier.
Use your planner’s calendar, quarterly view or monthly view to write down those milestones and deadlines. This way you can always check these dates, and make modifications if necessary. But seeing them often will also help remind you that these tasks need to be done.
Our planners are designed to help you organize and meet all your goals. With the different options they will help you identify and organize all aspects of your day to day life. You can see our collection of planners here.
Step 4: Make a list of everything you need to do to achieve that goal
When I say everything, I mean anything, big or small, that you need to do to achieve that goal. When you come up with new tasks, you add them to the list until it is complete. Once this is done, the probability of fulfilling your goal increases dramatically, since you have turned your ideas into actionable tasks.
Step 5: Turn that list into an action plan
With all the tasks written on paper, it is much easier to place them in the order they need to be completed, either by priority or by sequence. Take your time to put them in the correct order, taking into account all the necessary factors.
This action plan is your roadmap to success, and with it, you won’t get lost along the way. Very often, the reason we do not achieve our goals can be something as simple as not knowing what to do next. It’s so much easier to give up if you get confused. With this plan, you will always know what your next step is. Now there are no more excuses!
Step 6: Action!
Action is the main key to success. Without action, your goals will be mere illusions. Try to do something every day that will bring you closer to your goal. Be brave and take action immediately. It is much more valuable to take imperfect action than to be waiting for the perfect moment. It might never come.
Action is the key to success. Without action, your goals will be mere illusions.
You will realize that action is addictive in a positive way. Each time you check off a task as completed, you secrete endorphins! In addition to making you feel great, it will continue to motivate you forward towards your goal.
These ideas are nuggets from the book “Eat that Frog” by Brian Tracy, I totally recommend you read it if you want to become more productive.
If you need additional help, I suggest you use one of our planners to organize your goals, your time and all your tasks. I have designed them with these concepts in mind, with specific pages for annual and monthly goals and weekly tasks. This makes it much easier for you to achieve everything you set your mind to.
You can do it!
