How do we learn new things? How do we change? Grow? Get better? The answer to all of these is: you have to challenge yourself. No challenge. No change. You don’t just wake up one morning a different person, with a different set of skills. You have to set your goals so strong that obstacles act only as motivation, and failure only as a stepping-stone. But it’s important your goal is the right one, and that you work on it in the right way. Here is just how to set your goals and the best way to achieve them.
Take a look in the mirror
First you have to decide what your goal is. Sounds pretty obvious right? But many people don’t spend enough time really thinking about the right goal for them. Take a look in the mirror, not just at your physical appearance. Look yourself in the eye and ask: “What do I need to change about my life?” “What is it that’s holding me back?” “Why aren’t I living the life I want?” Figure this out, and you’ve got your goal right there.
Make sure it’s your goal, no one else’s
Whatever your goal is, you have to want it for yourself. No one else. It doesn’t matter if anyone disagrees or doesn’t understand. Only you decide what’s best for you. Only you determine your future.
Visualize it
You already know that your imagination plays a huge part in your success. It’s a proven fact that to have something in your life, you have to visualize it first. Spend every day just picturing how it will feel to achieve your overall goal. Imagine everything about that moment. Who will be there with you. How you will feel. How you will look. Then, get to work making it happen.
Make it measurable
Instead of just saying “I want to lose weight” or “I want a new job”, set a date. An amount. A time and a place. For example, I want to fit into this shirt in the next 3 months. Or I want to be head of the department this time next year. The feeling of knowing just how far you’ve come will motivate you more than anything else to keep going.
Work on it every single day
Don’t wait for something to happen. Make it happen. This doesn’t always mean a huge transformation. Do little things, everyday to get you closer to your goal. Choose a healthier dressing on your salad, or wake up 30 minutes earlier for a workout. A little progress is better than no progress at all.
Don’t think about how hard your goal might be to achieve. That’s not important. What’s important is that you have one. So set your goal high and don’t stop until you get there.
