7 Simple Tools for Achieving Goals in Life
There is no shortage of examples of people
who have succeeded in fulfilling the very challenging goals they’ve set
in their lives, whether it’s earning more money or shedding a few
pounds. However, studies show that 92% of people in the world fail to
achieve their significant and meaningful goals in life.
As for the remaining 8%, the secret to
their success probably lies in the correct process of setting goals,
which can be learned and implemented with the help of 7 very simple
tools. So keep reading so that you can join the eight percent, and give
yourself the chance to succeed!
1. Define your goals in detail
The first step you need to take is really getting into the nitty-gritty
about what you are trying to achieve. In addition, you need to make
sure that the goal you are aiming toward is measurable so that you can
track your progress. When you define your goal in detail, most often it
is realized - you are actually turning an abstract idea into reality. To
do this, you need to write everything down, because it needs to make
the transition from your mind to the page.
Answer the following
questions:
What do you want to achieve?
What will your life look like when you achieve your goal?
Who will be your friends?
What will you do during the day?
What will be your hobbies?
What time will you wake up in the morning?
You can add to this list questions related to your goal and to you,
but the important thing is to describe in detail your ambition and your
life after you achieve it. The more focused you are about your goals,
the more likely you will be successful in attaining them.
2. Make sure your goals are meaningful
Defining your goals isn’t enough - the second step you need to take so
that you can achieve them is to make sure they are meaningful. We will
always strive harder to achieve a goal that is of paramount importance
to us. Plus, you can’t want things just because you want them; you
should always ask yourself why you always want to achieve your goal.
Take a moment to find the meaning behind your goals, dig deep within
you, it must have a rooted meaning, one that you are willing to give up
everything for. As mentioned above, we are always doing more to achieve
things that are of paramount importance for us, especially when these
things are related to family, freedom, security, and love. Therefore, a
few obstacles and pitfalls on the way, won’t stop you if you really
understand why this goal is important to you.
3. Pick goals that are achievable
Long-term goals are very good and we are likely to succeed in them as
long as we work hard for them, but when it comes to short-term goals
(two to three years ahead) it is highly desirable that they be
achievable. For example, if you are in debt, then a goal like making
half a million dollars in two years probably isn’t possible.
When you choose goals that are achievable, you are more likely to
achieve them. You must find goals that are big but not impossible to
achieve, at least when it comes to short-term goals. Plan your
short-term goals so that they serve as milestones for the more distant
goals. Then, put together a plan of action that will help you get
through the process, which we’ll demonstrate below.
4. The goals must be tailored to you
How appropriate are the goals you have chosen for your life and future?
Do they suit who you are? Or do they contradict everything you believe
in? When we choose goals that contradict who we are, it is much harder
to achieve them. So how do we choose goals that are suited to us? Take a
few moments and write down everything you believe in and appreciate.
It is important to know that our beliefs and values are also the product
of things we’ve absorbed from our environment growing up; Statements
such as "money doesn’t grow on trees" are embedded in our minds and
affect our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, even if not consciously.
So, take the time to write down the things that make you who you are,
and then choose relevant goals. You will find that once the goals you
set for yourself fall in line with your personality, they will be easier
to achieve.
5. Set a deadline
Goals must be limited in time to be achievable, so don’t throw out
statements like "I want to be more financially stable in the future,"
rather choose a deadline if you are serious about that goal. When you
set your goals for a specific date, you can break them down into smaller
weekly and monthly goals. This way, you can see your progress and be
impressed by it to determine how far or close you are from achieving
your goals.
For example, if you want to be 50 pounds lighter by this time next year
you can "break it down" so that you will have to lose four pounds a
month, and 1 pound a week for you to meet your goal. When you continue
to do this for months, weeks, and days, you will find that the challenge
isn’t as big as it may seem and that you will eventually achieve your
goal.
6. Assess Your Progress
When goals are set in time, they can be evaluated and this allows us to
track our progress along the way. You need to find the method that will
suit you to follow your goals and do it every day - this will give you
the opportunity to evaluate the progress you are making. For example,
when a plane flies, the pilot assesses the progress along the way, and
he knows at any given time how far he has gone, where he is exactly, and
how long he’s been flying.
When you learn to evaluate your process, you get a clearer view of the
stage you are in and what else you have left to do. On the other hand,
when you don’t assess, it is much easier to ignore important things on
the way and you are likely to return to harmful patterns and habits.
7. Learn how to adapt to yourself
This may sound simple, but it is much harder to apply than most people
think. When you assess your progress towards the goal and you realize
that you are moving away from it, you need to adapt yourself to the
situation. This will give you the opportunity to correct things that you
won’t notice unless you evaluate your progress on a regular basis. You
are trying to reach your final destination and to do so, you need to be
clear about the goal you are aiming for and the time it’s going to take
you to reach it. Then, all you have to do is plan and act to change your
attitude along the way, all in order to get where you want to be in the
long term.