Ever made a new year’s resolution that ended up being almost impossible to stick to? We’ve all been there. When you make a goal without any clear plan of action, it can be incredibly difficult to see it through. If you’ve ever made a goal like this, you know what we’re talking about. Looking for the best way to set goals and stick to them? You’re in luck! To get you started off on the right foot, we are sharing three steps to help you start setting clear, actionable, and measurable goals.
#1 Be Specific
Take a moment to think about what you really want to achieve. If you don’t define a clear objective before you get started, you’ll have a hard time staying committed and remaining focused. Here’s a quick example to prove the power of specificity:
As you can see, goal #1 is too vague and therefore, lacks any way for the goal setter to measure their accountability. Goal #2 leaves no question about what needs to be done.
#2 Write it down
They say a goal that is not written down is only a wish, and we believe that all successful goals include a plan. It’s important to write your goals down so you can have a tangible reminder of what it is you are trying to achieve, along with actionable steps to get you to the finish line.
We recommend writing it somewhere you will see it everyday—whether it be a calendar, day planner or notebook.
#3 Remain Accountable
Be honest with yourself about what you need to succeed. If you have a system in place to keep you on the right track, you’re more likely to follow through. Here are a few of our favorite ways to practice accountability:
Create micro-goals: A micro goal is a way of breaking down a large goal into bite size pieces. This allows you to set mini deadlines that will push you to make progress in your goal every day, week or month!
Get an accountability partner: When you tell a friend about your goal, ask them to check in with you periodically to see how you are doing in your progress. You will feel more inclined to stick to your plan when you know someone who cares about you is rooting for you.
Commit to a schedule: Whatever you build into your schedule becomes your routine. Take a moment to think about what you need to be successful at the beginning of each week. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier, think about how you can plan ahead to ensure you have delicious healthy snacks around you everyday so you won’t be tempted to reach for the sugar.
If at first you don’t succeed, try again! We know life has a tendency of getting in the way of plans, but we hope that following this simple process gives you the steps you need to set yourself up for success.