How to Achieve your Goals

Next Month

They say that most people have given up their New Year’s resolution by mid-February. Has that happened to you? Well this is the year that you can change that. This is the year to do it.

It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer. ~Albert Einstein

Most of us have goals for self improvement – like I want to lose weight, make more money, buy another home etc. These are promises to ourselves, but we’re only looking to the long term goal in a very general way. For example, if spending more time with the family is the goal, you can see yourself sitting around the fire playing board games with the wife and kids – but in reality you end up staying at home, but you’re doing work on the computer, the kids prefer playing video games and since you’re home, the wife’s taken the opportunity to go shopping. You’re intention was a good one and you even stayed home to prove it, so what happened?

The topic for the month of February is Achieving Your goals.

So why don't we get it the first time??

Excuses:

The biggest obstacle to getting to your goal is the excuses that you give to yourself. Eg. I’m too tired, I’m too busy, I’m not good enough. Whatever excuse you make, if you really want to do something, there are no excuses. You can always find a way to do what you want to do. So this year - no excuses.

Challenges

Think of Oprah Winfrey here. Apparently when she was a television reporter she was fired because she was “unfit for TV”. What a great excuse to give up and stop trying!! Obviously she took this information as a challenge – just another obstacle to overcome.

Focus

We tend to look at the big picture, forgetting that there are many steps that have to be taken to get to your goal. To keep focus, write down your goal as well as the small steps you have to make to get there.. Unless you have a clear picture of how to get to the goal you will never get there. The small steps that lead to the goal keep you in focus.

Clarify

Always be specific when you clarify your goal. Saying “I want to lose weight” or “I want to be rich.” are too general. The goal of “I want to lose 20 lbs” is specific. Then you must make this even clearer by breaking down that down into realistic steps. Eg. what diet plan, gym 3x per week, how many lbs per week, and be realistic about this and don’t forget to write this down. It’s important. Your notes becomes a constant reminder. Leave the paper in a place where you’re sure to see it.

Distractions

This is the hard part. There will be plenty of distractions to get you off track. If it’s weight loss you’re after, there will be those parties, restaurants and entertaining. If you’ve been saving money conscientiously each week, an unexpected expense may throw you off. Acknowledge that these are only obstacles. It’s all part of life and not a personal failure. Just get back on the track to get to your goal..

Motivation

Sometimes you ‘just don’t feel like it.’ This is another hurdle to overcome. The best way to get motivated is to go to that paper where you wrote your steps. Ask yourself what your life would be like when you reached that goal. Visualize it. Feel how happy you are. Wouldn’t it be worth staying with it? Of course it would. OK, now do it.

Keep at It

Others may laugh at your efforts, but ignore them. Perhaps they’re trying to prevent you from disappointment, or think they’re being helpful, but they’re not. Stay focused on your goal and keep at it. Apparently, Henry Ford went bankrupt 5 times before he made it big. Obviously, he didn’t care what anyone said – and I’m sure they talked plenty. Let no one and nothing deter you.

Self-Doubt

You may be your worst enemy. When you stop believing in yourself, you’ll give up. So, don’t be negative. Be optimistic that this time you’ll make it – Think Henry Ford here. After all those bankruptcies, he had to believe in himself because I’m sure no one else did. So keep at it – believe and persevere.

Negativity never helpful.

You must turn negative thoughts around

Tips

1) Define the goal. Writing it down helps you stay focused.

2) Break down the deadline into manageable steps

3) Define the obstacles in your path. List everything that can go wrong and everyone who will in your way.

4) Do some work on it every day. Do a little, do a lot, but do something . 5) List the benefits. The list is important when you want to quit.

6) Set deadlines Deadlines should be made for accomplishing the steps, not only for the goal.

7) Don’t beat yourself up if you fall off track. Start again.

8) Acknowledge yourself. Upon accomplishing each stage to the goal, give yourself a little ‘prize”

Having problems with food, drugs, alcohol, gambling etc. and you you'd like personal coaching or recovery coaching to keep you on track. Get help when you need it with coaching

Next Month

Does the computer call you’re name? Are you always checking e-mails, chatting, or playing games for hours on end? Computer Addiction. – the latest compulsive behavior. Breaking a computer addiction. That’s the topic for next month’s e-zine.

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