I wasn’t going to wait for a new year to be a better person or to catch a dream, and neither should anyone else! The problem is that we always leave things for tomorrow, then tomorrow comes and we sometimes don’t end up doing the things we want to do so badly. But everyday is a new opportunity to be that someone you aspire to be or do something that’s been on your bucket list for ages. So if you end up not actually doing what you said you would do, don’t beat yourself down and give up on your resolutions . I know this can be a challenge because we’re our biggest critics, but honestly, giving up doesn’t solve anything and makes you that much farther from achieving your goal . My advice is to take this opportunity to try again.
Below I share a few tips that can help you reach your goal. However, there are some very important qualities to keep in mind as you goal-set: patience and consistency. Remember, improvements take time. If you remind yourself about these qualities regularly, you’ll be on the right path to reaching your goals on time.
Just before the start of 2020, I decided I didn’t want to wait to eat healthier or to go to the gym daily. Rather, I started my new year’s resolutions a month early because I felt that if I did, I might have better success in the long run. Of course it was difficult in the beginning, but I made sure to follow these few steps to make any goal easier to achieve:
- Set an Agenda
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Having an agenda to write your plans in helps you manage the time you will spend on each goal. It may change throughout each week, but highlighting your priorities will make the goals seem more manageable. More than anything, a planner is a reminder for you and a tool to keep your life organized. Keep in mind that when goal-setting, there’s no time for procrastination, so when you have free time, instead of plopping yourself in front of a TV screen, go grab that agenda and start tackling your next task.
- Write Motivational Quotes
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While reaching my goals, I enjoy writing a quote every night from someone inspirational because they remind me that dreams do come true. One of my favorites by Will Smith is, “The separation of talent and skill is one of the greatest misunderstood concepts for people who are trying to excel, who have dreams, who want to do things. Talent you have naturally. Skill is only developed by hours and hours and hours of beating on your craft.” Quotes like these, especially from someone so successful, are proof that any goal you set your mind to is possible to achieve.
- Reward Yourself
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As you fulfill the steps to reach your goal, it’s okay to take a break on occasion to reflect on your progress thus far and maybe buy yourself a gift. Treating yourself is essential to recognizing the hard work you’ve put into this goal. For example, after I went to the gym for a month I treated myself with an ice cream cone! Giving yourself rewards throughout can also serve as motivation to reach the next step.
- Tell Your Family and Friends
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It’s exciting when you make (significant) progress toward a goal , so why not share your accomplishments with your family and friends? Congratulations and emotional support from your loved ones can definitely motivate you to chase whatever your heart desires.
There’s no excuse to wait around. I hope you can take these tips and apply them to your own goals . Whether you want to lose or gain weight, take a trip, start a book club, or try a new restaurant, you can do it. You don’t have to wait for the new year to start planning. There’s no time like the present, so get going!