Top 3 Tips for Actually Reaching Your Goals
If you’re anything like me, you likely set some crazy ass goals for yourself, then about 2 step in, you have some serious doubts, question your decision making skills and want to give up. I also happen to be the Queen of Procrastination. I do think of it as one of my super human skills. Still trying to figure out how it’s benefiting me, though! Over the years, I’ve discovered 3 ways to keep me motivated and to push through those moments of self sabotage. My method centers around bite size pieces, recognizing my actual progress and a little tough love.
First and foremost, there is some serious momentum that can be created when we take things slow and build upon our successes. For me, choosing one small task each day that will get me closer to my goal always seems easier and less daunting that looking at the full list of steps left to complete or my always growing to do list. So in moments of wanting to give up, I will ask myself, “what is one small step I can take right now that gets me closer to my goal?” Sandra Yancey says,
“What’s my next best move?”
It’s an amazing way to make an overwhelming goal seem smaller. When we feel like the actions are easy, we are more likely to get them done. Along the same lines, I’ve adopted a mantra I learned in my Faster Way To Fat Loss program and that is:
Progress Over Perfection
If I know that progress matters more than creating a perfect blog post, I can just write the damn thing. If I believe that writing 6 pages today in my latest book gets me closer to my goal of another finished chapter, then I get one step closer to a completed manuscript. It all comes down to bite size pieces and taking small action every day to get you closer to the end goal.
One Step At A Time.
Another trick I’ve started using just recently is super helpful when I’m feeling defeated. In those moments of being too hard on myself, I switch my focus. Instead of looking at my list of things left to do, I will make a list of all that I got done. I’ll look back at the previous day or last week and actually write down my accomplishments. It’s ALWAYS surprising to me how much progress I’m actually making when I take the time to stop and celebrate my wins. I’m not a gold star kind of a girl, so I don’t need the rewards associated with each one, but I’m my own worst critic. I’ve learned I have to force myself to recognize what I have actually done. Otherwise, I will never give myself proper credit. Every time I do this, I am left with the same surprise - Okay, I can do this!
Lastly, I’m so good at tough love. Ask my children. I have high expectations and I am learning to be more of a Rah Rah Cheerleader, but I am the hardest on myself. I know why I’m this way. It is how I work best and it’s also how I was raised. BUT, I am now learning to soften my approach, even with myself. There is still a sense of This Needs To Get Done, but as I shift my thoughts toward the positive, I am tending more toward affirmations than yelling in my head. So, here are some of my favorite mantras:
The better I become, the better I attract
Show up every day and take action - Amanda Frances
Tony Robbins says: Take Massive Action
So, I hold myself accountable to the goals I’ve set. It is usually helpful to remember my why behind any new crazy ass goal. The more it’s centered around helping other people, the more likely it is to get done, too. I may want to look like a super model, but I love tacos and I hate working out. I do love my children more than life itself, though. The idea of taking care of my body so I can be here for my children is much more motivating for me. So I take small steps every day toward being active and remind myself that I’m not trying to run a marathon or create six pack abs. I do want to have energy to play street hockey or run along side my youngest as she learns to ride her bike. I remind myself to “move my ass” daily and I keep track of how many times I actually did last week. It’s my go to method for actually reaching my goals. What about you? I’d love to read your comments below!