How to Set and Achieve Goals

The new year means parties, champagne, celebration, and of course, goal setting. Now is the time to examine your growth from 2020 and contemplate what you would like to do better. Did you meet all your goals last year? If not, why? If yes, what can you do this year to continue to improve and achieve your dreams?

Setting and achieving goals may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By choosing realistic goals, focusing on one goal at a time, and monitoring your progress, you will be well on your way to fulfilling your plans. 

Choose Realistic Goals

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when setting goals is choosing goals that are unrealistic. One tip to setting goals that are obtainable is to use the acronym SMART . SMART goals are the following:

The best method to set SMART goals is to ask yourself questions such as “What tools and resources do I need to reach this goal?” and “What obstacles are involved?” These questions will help you know if your goals are attainable. The more specific you are, the easier it will be to fine-tune your plans. 

Focus on One Goal at a Time

Did you know that focusing on multiple goals at once could be harmful to your success? According to a study found in the Journal of Consumer Research , those who make a specific plan for how, when, and where they will work on their goal are two to three times more likely of developing consistent habits; however, these statistics only apply to those focusing on one goal at a time. This is because executing multiple goals undermines your commitment to those goals, which affects your goal success. As a solution, choose which goal is most important to you and work on it. Once you have mastered that goal, move on to the next!

Monitor Your Progress

If you aren’t tracking your progress, now is the time to start! Research shows that your chances of completing a goal increase when you monitor your progress. Further, sharing your goal and progress publicly, like on social media, increases your chances even more.

There are many ways to monitor your efforts. You can log your progress in a journal daily or weekly, use goal-setting apps, or utilize a calendar. Find out which tracking method works best for you and stick with it!

Setting and achieving goals is attainable if you follow the proper steps! When setting goals, choose goals that are realistic (SMART goals). In order to achieve the goals you set, focus on one at a time and track your progress. You will be amazed at how well you do!