How to ACTUALLY achieve your goals
1. Set habits, not goals
The problem with goals is that they’re literally just the end result that we wish for. When we set goals we don’t usually specify HOW we are actually going to get to that finish line, we lack an action plan. HABITS > GOALS. Instead of making a list of things that you want to achieve this year, make a list of habits that you want to achieve every day or every week. Let those be your only goals, and set them in a way that lets you check if you are actually on the right path.
Example: Instead of “Lose weight” make it a daily goal to “Make half of my dinner plate veggies” or “Work out 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)” or “Always put a bottle of water on my bedside table before going to bed and drink it upon waking up”.
Be as specific as you possibly can! Plan habits in a way that lets you check them off every day. The satisfaction of doing that will keep you motivated!
2. Baby steps. Seriously.
Ok so before we get all excited and plan to incorporate a thousand habits into our daily routines: LET’S CALM DOWN. What is actually, realistically achievable? Because let’s be honest, even though it’s a nice thought, we probably won’t be able to go from eating one vegetable a month to drinking water in the morning, going for a run, eating a salad every day AND drinking 3 cups of green tea every day. It’s just not gonna happen. So. Ask yourself again. WHAT IS REALISTIC? Now cut that in half. Choose only one (1!) of those goals to start, and make it an easy one to achieve. Make it so easy that it’s impossible to fail. (Example: Read 1 page of a book) Do that for 3 or 5 days before either leveling it up (Example: Read 2 pages) or adding another habit (Example: Drink a cup of water upon waking up). Keep going like that, giving yourself enough time to feel those daily goals transform into literal habits that you just do because they’ve become a part of your life. Keep adding something small here and there, but know when to stop. Listen to your body, listen to your mind. See it as a sport, as something you can get better at only by increasing its difficulty little by little. And remember this quote by Bill Burnett: “The unattainable best is the enemy of all the available betters.“. Just think about that.
3. Write it down, baby.
Literally. I don’t care if it’s in your planner, your phone, a notebook or a piece of paper, but you need to see your habits in front of you and when they are supposed to completed. This way you can also check them off as you go, which is really motivating, especially when you look back and see everything you’ve already achieved. Keep it simple if you want by just writing simple checklists for every day, or make it pretty by using colors and stickers, but make it YOURS.
4. Be a team player.
If you have a friend who wants to join you on this journey you can keep each other in check, maybe even sitting down together once a week to discuss how your past week went. If not, tell someone. Tell them about what habits you’re going to incorporate into your life and ask them to check in on you from time to time. This way you know that you’re going to have to explain yourself if you don’t follow through, which most of the time is motivating enough to just do it.
5. Reward yourself.
Just like you plan your habits, you should plan rewards! But again: it’s all about achievability. Learn to be proud of small improvements and encourage yourself the same way you would a friend. For example, after completing a habit 5 or 7 days in a row, pamper yourself by taking a bubble bath, putting on a face and hair mask and eating your favorite food. You can also plan a picnic with friends, go for a hike, buy that lipstick you’ve been eyeing for so long, go out to dance with friends… there are so many options! Rewards will keep you motivated by being a short-term goal you can work towards, which most of the time is much easier than just thinking of that long-term goal that seems so far out of reach.
6. Be kind to yourself.
Always treat yourself the way you would treat your best friend if they were in the same position. What would you tell them if they fell off track and messed up? You’d probably say to them that it’s okay, that things like that happen. You’d tell them to just start fresh and that everything will turn out just fine, right? Tell yourself the same things when you mess up, because you will mess up. Nobody is perfect, we’re all just human and there will come a point when you’ll be tired, stressed or busy and you won’t be able to keep up with everything, and THAT’S OKAY. Instead of beating yourself up over it and losing all motivation learn to forgive yourself, take a deep breath and get back on track. You can do this!
