As we come nicely into the first few months of 2016, no doubt many of us have made plans for the year ahead. It's feels great to have one last binge and an über relax before the start of the new year, knowing that we have the ability to create a fresh start, and work towards a better version of ourselves for an entire year.
But how do we stay on top of the goals we've set ourselves? With Spring just around the corner – the season of new beginnings – I'd like to share a few of my own learnings on staying motivated, even when the going gets tough.
1. Make plans
This is the golden rule. To begin any process of renewal, we must first assess what it is we want to achieve, and make a written plan on how to go about making it happen.
2. Not too big
I've often found that when I set goals that are too big – in the belief that I'll get more done, I end up feeling defeated when I realise just how unrealistic I've been, making it easy to give up. Be realistic. We all have busy lives to lead. Break down your goal(s) into super easy chunks. Setting yourself small and regular things to do, will keep things moving forward and closer to a positive end result.
3. Be specific
I've heard this a lot, and it makes a lot of sense. Want to lose weight? How much? Want to earn more money? How much? Being clear about what you want to achieve, and setting yourself a realistic timescale to work towards is a much more effective way to produce results, than being open ended about the whole thing. A goal should have an exact outcome, otherwise it's just a nice idea.
4. Live life
Don't forget to live. It's great to be determined, but if you sacrifice everything around you to focus entirely on your goals then you're missing out in the bigger picture – life. Make time for friends, family and relaxing. We're only here for a relatively short amount of time, make sure you enjoy your life with the right balance.
5. When you get knocked back
This is both the hardest thing to overcome, and the greatest opportunity for improvement. So what happens when you've been working really hard towards achieving your goals, and suddenly, something sets you back? This, my friends, is an amazing time for reflection and to re-assess how you go about moving on again. We all experience this at one time or another, so try not to be hard on yourself. Put it down to a learning experience, take a bit of time out, and know that you can achieve your goals, but that you may need to think differently about how to get there.
6. There's no rush
As I mentioned in point 3, it's important to enjoy the process of working on a new goal. You may think that time is against you, and that everyone else is over-taking you in the rat-race – but believe me, this is not the case – relax! It's this kind of thinking that will work against you, and might make for excuses to give up. As they say, 'Rome wasn't built in a day'. Take comfort in that. You will achieve your goals, but in your own time.
7. Be adaptive
Whatever challenges we set ourselves throughout the year can and will change. Unexpected events in our life are bound to happen. If your goals are going to be significantly life changing, you will find ways to get back on track, no matter what.
8. Ask for support
Tell people far and wide about your goals. When we affirm our aims to other people we in affect, affirm them to ourselves. No-one wants to hear that you have big plans that you won't follow through with. But everyone will want to offer their support if they know you're at least on the right path. Give yourself the task of starting something that you intend to finish, and ask for guidance along the way.
9. Keep your eyes open
Keep a lookout for people that are on a similar path to you, and take inspiration from how they're doing. Also take time out and away from your goals (again) and give your perspective a fresh approach. I find that inspiration often happens when I least expect it – so do something fun, and that you really enjoy and maybe you'll have a brainwave telling you to look at things differently.
10. Keep making plans
Your first plan of the year should be the big one – the overview. This is the time to sit down and think about all the things you want to achieve throughout the year, and then work backwards to figure out the small steps that will make those things happen. At the beginning of each week, I make a set of plans that will help me towards my bigger aims. Then at the beginning of each day, I make a plan that is a small part of my weekly plan. This activity keeps me focused on the bigger picture, even if there are no actions to be taken on a given day.
So, there you have it. A small rundown of 10 points that have kept me motivated so far this year, and I hope they will for you as well. The key is to just-keep-on-trucking. We can all do, or be anything we set our minds to, and by doing small things on a regular basis we will achieve our bigger goals. There is absolutely no reason to give up, or to find excuses not to do something that we want to do, so hold your head high and know that you can achieve your own goals in the time that you set for yourself.
External links:
Entrepreneur
James Clear
Zen Habits
