In this post, you’ll discover 14 powerful tips to achieve your goals, even in an increasingly competitive world experiencing unprecedented change at a rapid pace.
Tips to achieve your goals
The list below is in no particular order.
TIP #1 – Write down your goals
You are 42% more likely to achieve your goals if they are written goals.
Source: Goals Research Summary (PDF here: Goals Study), by Gail Matthews, Ph.D., Dominican University of California
TIP #2 – Utilize proven goal-setting criteria
You can use proven goal-setting criteria to write short-term, intermediate, and long-term goals (goal types) in every area of your life (goal categories).
Consider using the S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting criteria.
Sometimes it helps to experiment with the way you write your goals. For example, I like to start my goal statements with “I will” + a verb. However, you might also try options such as:
- To + a verb
- By + entered date
TIP #3 – Get the right accountability & support for you
Have you considered our Goal Groups?
TIP #4 – Believe in yourself & keep a positive attitude
Consider all the goals you’ve achieved. And all of the amazing qualities you now have as a result of that success. By doing this, you will start teaching yourself to stay positive.
TIP #5 – Visualize success
Imagine your goals as already achieved. See yourself in that position and enjoy the feeling of success.
You might try this: What is the outcome of the goal you want to achieve? For example, if you want to make more money, the outcome may result in buying a new car. The next time you’re online, sign up for a free Pinterest account and start pinning images of cars that you would like to own. You can also do this offline with vision boards.
TIP #6 – Uncover what keeps you motivated
Uncover and use the motivation that works for you. Here are some of the things that have worked for me over the years.
- goal quotes
- motivational videos (you can find a lot on YouTube)
- goal reviews
- podcasts
- networking with people achieving their goals
TIP #7 – Review your goals on a regular basis
Keep your goals visible and review them regularly. Something that works for me is putting sticky notes, with my written goals, on the bathroom mirror. You can also write them on index cards and carry them with you.
TIP #8 – Keep an open mind
Keep an open mind and be willing to adjust based on your current circumstances. It’s ok to be flexible, but stay focused on your goals.
TIP #9 – Celebrate success
Celebrate success by rewarding yourself. When setting your goals, you can include rewards at certain milestones to help keep you motivated. It doesn’t matter how big or small the success. Rewarding yourself as you work towards your goal will help build your confidence and help motivate you to keep moving forward.
Sometimes I will incorporate penalties for not hitting certain milestones. When used correctly, this can also help motivate you to achieve your goal. However, be careful and use caution when incorporating penalties. You don’t want to de-motivate yourself or start working against yourself.
TIP #10 – Create a well-organized & strategic plan tailored to you
Make sure your plan has a completion date that aligns with your goals and action steps. You’ll also need a way to identify and track performance indicators and updates as your work towards your goals.
Strive to manage your time more effectively, be more proactive vs. reactive, make better decisions, and create a clear path to success. Your plan should simplify and streamline the process, not complicate it.
TIP #11 – Don’t just give up
At some point, things will get tough, and you might want to give up. Don’t give up just because things get hard! It’s ok to make adjustments and be flexible along the way. Remember why you started in the first place. Find solutions to the problems and overcome your obstacles.
TIP #12 – Do some research
Research involves more than just typing words into Google and clicking the first link that displays. For the most part, research that produces reliable results takes a good bit of time and effort. Choose your sources carefully.
When doing research for your goals, you’ll want to answer questions such as:
- who’s involved?
- what are the requirements?
- what are the constraints?
- how will progress be measured?
etc…
TIP #13 – Check your mindset
Make sure you have the right mindset for success. Learn how to prepare yourself to overcome obstacles. You might not be able to change everything overnight but keep working on it. It gets easier.
TIP #14 – Get started
You can’t achieve the goal if you don’t take ACTION.
Hope this helps!
