How to get motivated to reach your goals.
Updated: Feb 28, 2022
With the change of seasons, it can bring a lot of changes in your life too! Why not make the most of these 'pivot' moments and re-set your goals.
Whether you take a moment to set up a cleaning regimen after you change around your wardrobe from summer to winter clothes, or use the school holidays to implement new routines or habits, or even re-address your health goals now you see new produce everywhere, there's no time like the present to put in the work.
Now, how to you go about setting your goals? Most important is the process of creating your goals, in order for them to become reality.
If you look at how some well known people have achieved their goals, they almost never went willy-nilly about their approach. There was a process involved to help them keep the eye on the tiger.
Read below for some simple quick wins you can implement to set yourself straight with your goals!
Get crystal clear.
Let's say your goal is to GET HEALTHY. Just saying I want to get healthy, doesn't really look like much right? How does this look to you? How can you make it more specific?
It can be really confusing what your particular goal should be exactly, with information from everywhere on the internet, and well-meant advice from people around you. Right now is the best time to take a minute and decide what it is YOU want or need.
Do you want to reach a specific weight? Do you want to be able to do that 10k walk with your friends? Are you aiming to balance your blood sugar so you don't need to increase your diabetes medication after your next appointment with your specialist?
Make sure your goal is clear, written out in detail, and with as many chances to measure your progress as possible. Or even with an end date if you wish!
If it's measured, it can be managed!
Be realistic.
That moment you realise you have a big event coming up in 3 weeks, and you really want to fit into that dress... But you've been enjoying life with all things that go with it, and you carry a bit more weight than when you bought the dress.
I'm sure we've all been there. And this is ok. But take a minute to get real with yourself. Are you able to actually drop a dress size in 3 weeks? What work would you have to put in, and are you willing to do so?
Or, maybe you planned a big party to celebrate your graduation. But in the current climate, group gatherings are not the best idea. Do you cancel the whole thing completely? How long are you willing to wait for the right moment to throw the bash instead?
Decide what you are willing to do, what it would take to reach your goal (time, effort, money) but also, do you have the resources?
You might have to change the goal itself, the time you'll achieve it in (if possible), or pivot in any other way to fit your current situation.
Be realistic and be ok with it.
Create a finish line (preferably with a nice carrot).
If you set a deadline for yourself, you have something to work towards.
Not only does this help with staying motivated, it also helps you to break things down and create action steps you can follow. More on the breakdown of your action steps later.
Keeping your deadline in mind can also keep you on track, especially in moments you find yourself slipping.
Remember, your deadline might change. Life happens, so be prepared to more things up or down when you need to.
Write down your deadline, in order to prioritise it for yourself, day after day. I'm known to have post-its or use apps to remind myself of my set goals...
With that, you can create an incentive.
If you are the kind of person who likes rewards (who doesn't?) use this time to agree with yourself how you will treat yourself when you do reach the goal. Keep in mind that your goal should be enjoyed, but not counteract all the hard work you've just put in...
Break it down.
Now you already know what you're prepared to do or not to do, figured out your timeline, and have decided on your incentive, it's time to create action steps you can use.
Let's take exercising more regularly as an example:
What is the first thing you need to do? Maybe it is researching what gym suits you best, what the costs are. Or maybe you are already a member, but you feel you reach your goals better with some extra personal training, then your step will be to schedule some PT sessions. Or if you want to do it all by yourself, researching a workout plan and print it out is your step.
Next would be to schedule in your training sessions. You can even go as far as packing your gym bag the night before.
Do whatever you feel will help you reach your goal. Make it as simple as you can.
Top tip: if you try to implement new habits, create a routine based on something you already do. For example, if you plan to start flossing your teeth, do it straight after every time you brush your teeth.
What's your support system?
Getting the right support you need might be the one thing that can make or break your goals.
If staying away from sugar in the office is your goal, and your co-workers keep bringing in your favourite sweets, your motivation could dwindle very quickly.
Finding the right support is essential for your success!
This can be anyone, from your partner, to your friends, to a support group, or even with the help from a professional.
You can decide to do it together, to create accountability and reach your goals easier.
Depending on your personality, and the type of goal you are planning to reach, you will know best what type of support system suits you best.
You don't have to walk this journey by yourself, if your goals are extremely specific, or you feel your close network can't offer you the support/accountability you need, feel free to get in touch to see how I can help you reach your full potential!