It is important to set clear and concise goals for yourself, whether they are big plans or small. If you don’t, you may lose sight of where you want to be and how you want to grow. No one wants that! With organization and the right set of mind, you can do absolutely anything you want to do. Here are five tips for setting and attaining your goals:
1. Write down your goals
This is the most important part of the process. Simply write down as many things as you would like – what you’d like to be, do or have. Remember, the sky is the limit; so go crazy! Spend as much time as you would like on this step, until you feel like you have written down all the goals that are important to you. Being specific is one of the key steps in goal-setting.
2. Prioritize
Perhaps you feel scattered and aren’t sure which goals you should focus your energy on. Prioritize your goals by rating each of them on a scale of importance from 1-10. You should order the goals most important to you at this moment in your life. Beside each goal, write down a time for which you would like to accomplish it. This can give you an idea of what goal needs more focus at this time.
3. Don’t overwhelm yourself
Some people feel as though all of their goals need to be accomplished right this second. It can be hard to prioritize and rationalize your goals. Though it may seem impossible, it is not. Take your time. Do not focus on too many of your goals at once.
4. Give yourself an incentive
Truth be told, rewarding yourself can help you achieve a goal. It gives you something to look forward to. The reward doesn’t have to be expensive, maybe a cheap splurge at the mall or going to dinner after acing finals week. Just make sure you reward yourself for your hard work.
5. Don’t crumble after a setback
You are going to experience setbacks. It is a part of life. However, you cannot let it discourage you. Focus on the bigger picture and continue on. If you feel that it is taking too long to reach your goals, start from the beginning and come up with strategies that are better fitting for you.
Take time to think about areas in your life where you want to experience growth. Ask yourself, “how can I be better at school, work, in my relationships?” Don’t procrastinate on reaching your goals! Spend a little time to get your plan together. After all, you are so worth it!