To the person who does not know where he wants to go, there is no favourable wind
SENECA
Have you set your goals for this year? What are your spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual aspirations of your life?
What you achieve at the end of the year will be determined by the solidity of your intention at this stage. Already, those dedicated to achieve have separated themselves from those who will not. Achievers have set their goals, laid out a plan and are busy executing. While wishful thinkers are waiting for miracles to happen by December.
If you have not set your goals yet, spare a moment and do it right now. It is not too late to get things back on track. But identifying your goals is just the beginning of a journey that requires constant and deliberate attention. Here are a few tips to bring your dreams into your world this year.
1. Write them down
There is only one trick to achieving your goals – write them down, with your own hand! Writing your goals creates a special connection to your brain, and somehow, makes the first commitment to achieving them. The process connects with your subconscious mind and ingrains dedication towards your target. It also makes you do deeper thinking, allowing you to figure out what you want—making your plan more realistic. Once you have written goals, break each one into small daily, weekly or monthly actions. Taking small steps builds your confidence, and compounds to outstanding achievements over time. And with this plan in place, you are on the path to turning your imagination into reality.
2. Reflect and review them regularly
You need to remind yourself of your commitments continually. You can do this on a notebook, a vision board or apps depending on your preference. Either way, you need to see and reflect on your plans and progress consistently. Create regular time for reflection, and if you can, daily is always better. Find ways to remind yourself by keeping a journal or taking pictures. Place your goalkeeper by the bedside and read it before sleeping, or first thing after waking up. And when you find that things are not going as planned, please review and update them after a while. The more you fine-tune, the higher the likelihood that you will attain the goals. Remember that the most important thing about goals is not achieving them, but developing the discipline to monitor them. Tracking is the real hard part, and is the magic formula for winning in the game of life.
3. Develop the mindset and the discipline
There is no doubt that things will be challenging and the pressure to give up will be phenomenal. Our natural form is to conserve energy by doing nothing, so we are hard-wired to procrastinate. Therefore, slacking and excusing will be your biggest obstacle. And none of us is safe from this natural feeling. The only difference is that high achievers are always aware of this mood and continually try to overcome it. And you too can do it. Examine your thoughts and feelings all the time. Be mindful of your inner language – how you speak to yourself. Do not allow your fear to dominate your thoughts. See yourself overcoming and winning instead of harbouring endless hopelessness. Push and train your brain to do things you dislike, like making a bed or washing dishes. And when you find obstacles in your travel, be wise enough to jump or manoeuvre your way. Not to stand still or turn backwards.
4. Build your support system
In Africa, we say that if you’re going to walk far, walk with others. The journey of personal change is lonely and weary. That is why most people give up early in the quest to improve their lives. To overcome this, surround yourself with people on the same path. Be part of a team or community with similar interests. Run where there are other runners. Enroll in a book or cookery club. Join online communities and become part of their conversations. Be inspired by reading books, watching documentaries and listening to podcasts by those who have been through it before. Build an accountability system too. Tell your spouse, friends or colleagues about your ambitions. Make new friends and openly share your aspirations. And if you can afford, get help from professionals like personal trainers, nutritionists, life coaches and financial planners depending on what support you need.
5. Celebrate the small wins
There is no limit to what you can achieve, so there can never be a final crossing line. That is why it matters to celebrate successes along the way. The ultimate reward may be better sleep, leaner body, glowing skin, happier marriage, financial security, longer life or a thriving enterprise. These are the good things you want in the end, but they will take longer to manifest. And there is no silver bullet to get them either. While on your regular goal reflection, pick the small gains, whether it’s a kilo lost, a coin saved, a day of healthy eating or an hour off social media. And celebrate yourself responsibly for that achievement. The more you learn to appreciate the little conquests, the more you will be motivated to repeat them over and over again. Eventually, you will nail the big wins because consistency is the foundation of mastery.
Parting Shot
Goal setting and tracking is a tested and proven technique for self-advancement. There is a remarkable difference between those who write down, and those who do not. And more so, between those who consistently remind themselves of their commitments and those who choose not to. Make this year different, by quitting the club of new year resolution makers – those who don’t devote to what they desire. And if you follow through with your goals, this year will end like none other before.