3 Tips for Effective Goal-Setting

It’s the new year once again, which means you’re likely being inundated with talk of resolutions and becoming a “new you.” While this kind of thinking can often be helpful, setting goals at the beginning of the year and then forgetting about them tends to be the wider trend. The key is setting goals you’re motivated to actually stick to and creating a structure to make it happen.

If you’re in the process of trying to accomplish your goals, this article is for you.

1.?????Schedule regular check-ins with yourself

If your goal is going to take longer than a single day to accomplish, you’ll want to make sure you schedule days and times to check in with yourself about your progress. Whether it’s daily, weekly, or monthly, you’ll be much more likely to continue in the right direction if you’re holding yourself accountable. Additionally, frequently reviewing your goals will allow you to make necessary changes to your habits and plans to get you there.?

You can also hold your routine check-ins with a close friend, partner, or family member. It can often help to have another person holding you accountable, since they won’t make excuses for you the way your own brain will. During each check-in, take five minutes to plan something small you can do to accomplish your goals more thoroughly before your next check-in.

2.?????Plan to move in increments

When you’re setting a goal, don’t plan to leap from where you’re at directly to where you want to be. Instead, outline the different steps you’ll reach on your road to reaching your goal. For example, if your goal is to run a 5k by the end of the year, you won’t want to immediately try to run the race in January. You’ll need to make a careful plan that allows you to build up your strength in increments.?

Even if your goal has nothing to do with running, give yourself the grace to take time in accomplishing what you’ve set out to do. Everyone will have days they fall off the wagon, but what’s important is getting back on and making a small amount of progress every day.

3.?????Pursue your goals with likeminded people

If your goal is to take up running, surround yourself with people who enjoy running. Additionally, make sure the people you’re with a majority of the time are encouraging you and reminding you of the things you’re doing well. With the right mindset, you can accomplish anything. And being around people who are pursuing the same goals as you will help you feel more motivated to work hard and accomplish your objective.

What goals are you working on right now? How can you apply these tips to your process??

If one of your goals is pursuing a career advancement, check out our website to see how our programs can help you.