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How many times have you set out to accomplish something only to get sidetracked and work on a whole new project altogether? Or just procrastinate until you didn’t do anything at all? We’ve all been there. These are often the end results of not having a solid plan in place for our goals. While this may not apply to everyone, I want to share with you the 7 very effective tips that keep me on track.
Tip #1: Make a to-do list each night before bed.
I’ve always been a planner that needs structure. If I don’t have a to-do list, I’ll most likely get sidetracked or not get everything accomplished that I wanted to do in a set amount of time. Relate? Planning days aligned with goals are no different. Think about one small step that you want to take in a day to bring you closer to your goal. Take that small step and write it down on your to-do list before bed so that you see it first thing in the morning. This will not only help you hold yourself accountable, but you’ll be able to look back and see that you’re actually taking action toward your goal(s), no matter how small.
Tip #2: Set deadlines.
Another great way to hold yourself accountable is to set deadlines for yourself. If you’re a procrastinator, a strict deadline is a quick fix for the “I’ll do it tomorrow” syndrome. The trick to this is to, again, write it down, preferably somewhere you’ll be forced to see it. I love to write in my planner as well as set reminders on my phone.
You can either make a deadline for your entire goal, the small steps we talked about in Tip #1, or just do both! This will give you a solid timeline as to when you expect completion. Dependent upon your lifestyle and schedule, however, always remember that things will often happen that are out of your control so the deadlines may slightly change. Don’t stress about that.
Tip #3: Less talk, more action!
This one is important. If you don’t read any other points on this post, read this one at least! Are you ready? Stop talking about your goals to other people. Constantly speaking on your goals or things that you’re “about to do” with others is just not helping in any way.
This creates an unnecessary pressure on you to live up to your word even if the people you tell would fully understand if you had shortcomings that caused things to take a little longer. It’s even worse if you’re telling your enemies your plans. Why? Your “watch this” to them will turn into their “okay, we’re waiting.” Never feed into promising others the result of your hard work when you should only be promising this to yourself. Have you ever heard someone say to let your actions/results speak for themselves? Genuinely apply that saying and watch things get easier.
Tip #4: Be kind to yourself.
It can be so easy for people to tell you to “get out of your own way” and “just do it”. The truth is that it’ll hardly ever be that simple. Maybe you have a super busy schedule that doesn’t allow you to work toward your goal as much. Maybe you’re not really sure how to start toward actually achieving what you want to do. Either way, there will surely be some obstacles when you’re working towards what you want.
Remember that we’re human and will go through setbacks at some point in time. If it’s taking you a little longer, so what? Just don’t go too hard on yourself or you’ll most likely burn out. You are doing just fine.
–> Read here about the time I burned out and how I avoid it now!
Tip #5: Be thankful for where you are.
Look around you right now. What or who is it that you’re extremely thankful for? Sometimes, we can get so caught up trying to get to the next point in our lives that we forget to look around us and see how far we’ve come. This will help you to maintain your positivity and stress as you work toward your goal!
Tip #6: Accept and learn from failure.
Just as we mentioned in Tip #4, there will most likely be setbacks along the way. Failure is only really failure when you surrender to it. Instead of taking a failure as a loss, think of it as a lesson. You know what not to do next time; that’s even more knowledge you’ve gained. Everyone has their own journey. Embrace yours, take notes from your experiences, keep pushing!
Tip #7: Connect with others.
Don’t be afraid to reach out and get support or encouraging words from others. Connecting with others that have similar interests or maybe even are hoping to achieve similar goals will provide a huge boost to your confidence. Never think that you are alone or don’t have support. Find your tribe!
Let me know below what helps you stay on track with your goals!