How to Set Realistic Goals & Achieve Them in No Time
How many times have you set a goal for yourself and didn’t end up achieving it? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Goals can be overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure what steps to take to accomplish them. Here’s how to set realistic goals and achieve them in no time:
Set SMART Goals
“SMART goals” is a criteria-based list used to help improve the chances of accomplishing a goal. If your goals are too broad, they’ll be harder to achieve. The SMART acronym stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based.
Goal: I will lose weight.
SMART goal: I will lose 15 pounds in 3 months.
Losing 10 pounds is specific and measurable, and doing this in 3 months is also achievable, realistic, and time-based.
Goal: I will save more money.
SMART goal: I will save $300 in 4 weeks.
Saving $300 is specific and measurable, and doing this in 4 weeks is also achievable, realistic, and time-based.
Break Down Your Goals
To keep things manageable and sustainable, it’s crucial to break down your goals into shorter-term or smaller goals. Here are some examples:
If your goal is to lose 15 pounds in 3 months, break this down to losing 5 pounds a month.
If your goal is to save $300 in 4 weeks, break this down to setting aside $75 a week.
Stay Consistent
When you’re working towards a goal, the most important thing you can do is stay consistent. The more consistent you are, the quicker you will achieve your goal. Do one small thing each day that will move you towards your goal, even if it’s just reminding yourself why you set the goal in the first place. If you have trouble staying consistent, try setting reminders on your phone to take action every day!
Forgive and Move Forward
When you do something that isn’t aligned with your goal (ie. skip a workout, or splurge at the mall), remember that we’re all human. We all make mistakes, and that’s okay! Take a moment to step back and review where things went wrong so you can avoid doing it again. Tomorrow is a new day, and the only person who can stop you from achieving your goal is YOU.
Visualize the End Result
Losing sight of accomplishing your goal can be a big setback. One of the best ways to stay motivated is to practice visualization. Visualization is a method used to create a vivid mental picture of a future event. Try to visualize the success of achieving your goal daily. You can even create a vision board as a reminder! Learn more about the art of visualization here.
Reward Yourself
Once you accomplish your goal, reward yourself for this achievement. Get a massage, buy those new shoes, or drink a brew. Whatever makes you happy! Acknowledge your achievements and be proud of yourself. What’s next? Set a new goal, and make it bigger and more challenging than the last!
