5 Steps To Achieving Goals

No one wants to set goals, only to fail at meeting them. Worse, no one wants to deal with the self-loathing and disappointment that comes with not ever tackling those things you want to, and need to, get done.

Follow these 5 steps to bolster your chances for success at achieving the goals you set for yourself.

1. Set one goal at a time

Few people can juggle multiple goals or ideas at once, so set yourself up for success by focusing on achieving one new goal at a time. Prioritize what it is you want to, or need to, accomplish first. Focus in on that goal, and place the other goals you want to achieve on your “to do later” list.

2. Write down your goal

There is something almost magical and mysterious about why it is that when we write something down, we give it more of our attention. Maybe it’s that the process of putting our goals in writing makes us feel like we’ve made a promise to ourselves? Maybe writing it down feels like we’ve made a “contract” with ourselves? Whatever the psychology of why this works, writing down your goals improves your chances of successfully achieving them.

3. Tell a friend

The concept of having an “accountability partner” is one of the basic strategies for Life Coaching. A powerful part of our human nature is to not let someone else down. This concept helps you achieve your goals as, when you tell a friend you’re going to do something, you don’t want to have to go back to them and tell them that you either didn’t get started or didn’t even try. The Life Coach cheerleader in me believes that if you try, you will succeed! So, tell a friend and get started!

4. Take definitive steps

If you want to reduce your spending, cut up your credit cards. If you want to get out for exercise each morning, lay your workout clothes out beside your bed the night before. You will know what definitive steps you need to take to achieve your goal. No excuses. Take those steps!

5. Expect setbacks

There is never a straight path toward meeting a goal. The old adage, “2 steps forward, 1 step back” holds true. You will have challenges and disappointments. Expect setbacks. Trust that you can, and will, be able to rise above them and keep your focus on successfully achieving the goals you set for yourself!

Try following these 5 steps toward achieving your goal, then call my radio show to share your success story!

Listen this weekend to “The Joan Jerkovich Show” for more on achieving goals, and to my caller who, despite being schizophrenic, is setting goals for herself. There’s more on the signs of schizophrenia, and how to deal with this, and other mental illnesses. Also, listen to the caller who “punked” Joan. That one’s good for a chuckle!