How to set goals and actually achieve them
As we hurtled past the middle of 2019 at breakneck speed (seriously, wasn't it New Year just yesterday?), I recently set aside time to reflect on my goals and what I have accomplished so far this year.
I’ve long been a ‘setter of resolutions’ but rarely been someone that achieves them. I could never make the link between setting a goal and achieving it.
I didn’t know how to make that connection between the dream and reality. My goals always seemed so big and different to other people’s, and I don’t think I believed I was capable of achieving them.
This year, I decided to change that and invest some serious time and energy into creating an action plan that would help me achieve my (super scary) big goals. After competing in my first competition last year, I realised I could achieve anything I put my mind to and got to work.
In the last eight months, I have far surpassed any expectations I had of myself. I’ve learned so much more about creating a plan, executing it and enjoying the journey along the way. Reaching the goal will simply be the icing on the cake.
When I sat down at the beginning of the year to set my goals, this time was different. After much reflection, I realised one of the reasons I hadn’t been achieving my goals. I’d been setting resolutions, but not considering an action plan that was going to help me get there. I was expecting to arrive at my destination out of sheer luck.
The NUMBER ONE WAY to actually achieve your goals
It doesn’t matter what you want to achieve. Setting goals, especially if they are big and scary, can be a little daunting. Think of it as crossing a river that has no bridge. You’re on one bank and your goal is on the other. You have no idea how to get to the other side. Looks a little like this…
A -------------------------------------B
The old saying that a goal without a plan is simply a wish – is true! They key is to create a set of ‘habits’ that can act as your small, daily, ‘stepping stones’ that you can work on each day to help you get to the other side and achieve your goal.
A ---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---B
We seem to be pretty good at this when it comes to something like saving money. We know that if we put a little bit away each week, or month, it will slowly add up and we will reach our savings target. The same principle applies to any type of goal - you just have to figure out what those stepping stones are.
How to set habits that are going to STICK
Start by first defining your goal and then breaking it down into actionable and measurable actions you can take each day or week. Consider; what is the necessary input to achieve my desired outcome?
It’s important to note that your habits will always be unique to your particular journey and goal.
Want to write a book? Commit to writing 100 words per day / 1000 words per week or setting aside dedicated writing nights. Want to learn a new language? Commit to practicing at least 30mins every day or attending 2 classes a week. Want to be more active but don’t know where to start? Commit to simply cycling instead of driving to work or going for three 30 minute walks a week.
Whatever it is, there is always a systematic approach to be taken to get you to your destination.
The BENEFITS of creating HABITS
There’s a popular saying I’ve seen doing the rounds on social media that we can’t control what happens to us, but we can control how we react to it. I don't fully agree with this. As a woman (and I’m sure anyone woman reading can attest), during certain times of the month I am inexplicably irrational and emotional and, even though I know its because my period is due, it does NOTHING to change how I’m feeling. Similarly, as someone who has struggled with mental health issues, it’s often not that simple.
We very rarely have any control over what happens to us, and only sometimes do we have control over how we respond to it. However, we do have control over our behaviours.
Habits are the controllable behaviours that you can put in place to mitigate any turbulence caused by emotional reactions. They will guide you on the days / weeks where you really don’t feel like working out, or you’re tired or ‘busy’. They are the discipline you can instil that will carry you through when motivation levels are low.
By building a set of habits you start focussing on the necessary input rather than the desired outcomes - you focus on what you must do, rather than where you want to be.
Additionally, once something becomes a ‘habit’ it becomes automatic. You don’t need to invest energy into actually achieving it each day, you just do it. Habits by nature are long lasting and transferable and this discipline has a positive flow on effect to other areas of your life.
Keeping track of progress
‘Measurability’ is one of the key factors behind any goal setting and that’s why habit setting and tracking can be so successful. If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it! Being able to quantify it means you are able to specifically improve it.
The main way I stay on track of my daily habits, is by creating a visual representation. I have a sheet on my wall (underneath my vision board) with a list of daily habits to achieve and I tick them off at the end of each day if I’ve accomplished them.
As a visual person (as many people are) this not only allows me to recognise how well I’m doing but also allows me to see the bigger picture. Instead of beating myself up for not drinking 3l of water a day and not having time to mobilise after training , I see that they are only two of the fifteen (!!!) things I aim to do each day, that the rest of my day was a success and I can stop being so hard on myself for not having a ‘perfect' day.
I have actually created my own daily habit tracker to use each week and have made it as a free to download PDF which you can find here. I print it off, fill in the habits for the week, stick it on my wall and tick it off every night! Feel free to download and use for yourselves - if you need help breaking down your goals into manageable and measurable habits please feel free to reach out. Snap a pic for insta and tag me to let me know how you go!
The final word…
That’s a lot of information to take in, so I’ve broken it down into six key points.
To summarise:
Start by writing down your goal
Then, break it down into daily measurable habits
Habits will snowball - start small and add more as they become second nature
Expect positive effect transfer onto other areas of your life
Create a visualisation so you can keep on track
Be. Patient.
The danger of goals is that you tell yourself you’re not good enough until you accomplish them. The magic happens when you start focussing on the journey rather than the destination.
Setting effective, goal reaching execution plans is now something I’ve become intensely passionate about. So please do not hesitate to reach out if you need help with setting a plan. Feel free to leave a comment below with your goals below!!
Robyn xxx