5 Keys to Achieving Your Goals

Each of us has a vision for what we want to accomplish in the next year, three years, ten years, and beyond. Even if we haven't clearly written out or articulated that plan, we have an idea of, in general, where we would like to be. The difficulty for many is actually taking action on that plan or vision. Andy Stanley once said, "Everyone ends up somewhere in life, and some people end up there on purpose." If you don't have a plan for your life, chances are that you will end up being used by someone else for their plan. So the question is, what can you do about that? You want to get somewhere but you don't know where to start? Well, a great place to start is by learning how to set goals for yourself that will help you accomplish what you dream of doing. I'm going to give you a few tips on how to set and how to operate within your goals. None of this is brand new or groundbreaking, but it is important and even if you are hearing some of this for the second or third or tenth time, it is worth the refresher.

Tip #1: Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals - Many of you have probably seen this acronym before and have some idea of what it means. You may think this is just gimmicky HR speak, but there is science behind why this acronym is so popular and so effective.

(S)pecific - Your goals should very specific and very clear. Simply saying, "I want to lose weight," is not a specific goal. To make it specific we would say something like, "I want to lose 10 pounds in the next 90 days." That makes my target very clear.

(M)easurable - Your goals need to be something that you can measure. Using the weight loss example above, we can measure pounds using a scale. This is important so that you have an idea how you are doing in relation to your goals and if you need to change anything in order to achieve them.

(A)chievable - You must be able to actually, in real life, achieve your goal. If I weigh 150lbs., it would not be possible for me to lose 151lbs. This also means that your goals need to be within your power to change. For example, I can't set a goal for someone else, because I can't make the achieve it, and I shouldn't set a goal that is dependent on someone else doing something. Saying that I want to get a promotion in the next year, is not really a good goal because the chances are, someone else decides who gets promoted. Now, you could set goals around improving your skills or knowledge that may lead to a promotion.

(R)elevant - This means that you should set goals around things that actually matter to you. If a goal doesn't matter to you, you won't work at it. Sticking with the weight loss example, if your goal is to lose weight and you hate running, but you love swimming, it would be better to set goals around swimming that running. You will be more likely to care about following through.

(T)ime Bound - This one is often overlooked but is incredibly important. Your goals need to have a target achievement date. Notice how, when I made the weight loss goal in the first example, I added, "...in the next 90 days." This gives me clarity when I break my goals down into actionable steps. An open ended goal removes a sense of motivation or urgency in achieving that goal.

Tip #2: Break it Down - This goes along with what I just explained in the time bound paragraph above. In order to achieve our overall goals, we need to know what we have to do each day. Too often people set lofty goals and then have no sense of where to start in reaching them. Our goals need to be broken down into weekly or even daily chunks that we can track. If my goal was to lose 10lbs in the next 90 days, that means I have to lose about .75lbs per week. If after 2 months, I've only lost 3lbs, I know I'm behind and need to adjust.

Tip #3: Write Your Goals Down - Not only should you write them down, but you should keep them in a visible place. Our brains work in some crazy awesome ways and one of the things that has been shown, is that when we see our goals, and start to achieve parts of them, or brain releases a drug called dopamine that makes us feel good. Writing down your goals also keeps them forefront in your mind so that you are continually aware of them.

Tip #4: Tell People - When you set a goal, tell some people that are close to you about it. This does two things. First it creates a sense of accountability and motivation for you because you have now verbally committed to reaching your goal to someone else. Next, it give you a feedback loop that allows someone else to help motivate or correct you when you stray off track. This is incredibly important. This is why any weight loss program worth anything will make sure you are plugged into a community of people that are for you and are taking the journey with you.

Tip #5: Celebrate - We must take time to celebrate when we achieve a part or all of our goal. Celebration is so important. You just accomplished something that means a lot to you and it is important to recognize what you have done. Not only that but this will keep you motivated to achieve other parts of your goal or newer, more challenging goals. Take time and give yourself the pat on the back that you deserve.

Setting goals might seem like a big task, but if you learn these tips and practice them, you will be setting goals and achieving your dreams in no time!