If you know where you want to go and what you’d like to accomplish, setting specific and attainable goals is the key to staying on track. This applies to all areas of life, including our professions, family planning, travel, and fitness.
Write Your Goals Down
In the same way, your GPS gives you road-by-road instructions as you drive around, written goals should guide your every move. (This is one of the reasons people create business plans. It keeps them on track and prevents them from veering off course.)
Once you have goals written down, you can put them on your refrigerator door or hang them on the wall in your office. Refer to them regularly for direction and motivation.
Set Milestones
Tracking your progress toward each goal can be affirming and motivating. When setting milestones, think carefully about how you will move from one point to another. For example, if you’ve just taken up running, avoid the temptation to jump to a five-minute mile pace immediately. Most people would fail miserably and suffer the consequences of pain and disappointment. Instead, plan to start slowly and make gradual progress. Mark that progress and celebrate it.
Break Goals Into Small Tasks
Your biggest goals will likely require a large amount of effort. In fact, they may seem impossible.
That’s why it is helpful to transform goals into small tasks or steps. Breaking things down into digestible, learnable, achievable chunks ensures you’ll be competent in each step and prepared for the next.
When breaking down tasks, make sure that each one feels like something you could do right now if you wanted to. For example, that might be walking around the block or riding a 10-minute exercise bike. Whatever it is, it should be small and psychologically attainable.
Be Flexible
Simply following a program without changing it to adapt to your circumstances isn’t always wise. Plan to be flexible when working; if something isn’t working, consider whether you would be better served doing something else.
If you break a toe 10 weeks before your big race and can’t run for a few weeks, you may find that riding a stationary bike or using an elliptical trainer will help you stay fit and continue to build endurance in your legs while letting your toe heal. Was that the original plan? No! But is it an effective plan? Probably so.
Focus On The Process
Can you imagine how rewarding it is when an author recognizes they have written 240 pages of a 300-page book? Or when a powerlifter increases their bench press? They celebrate by clapping and pumping their fist! Whether in the gym, your office, or at home, it’s necessary to acknowledge how far you’ve come. If you only focus on the start when you know nothing or can do nothing, or the end … when you know it all or have done it all … you’ll be missing out on the best parts.
Accountability
Keep track of your progress with a chart, graph, or notes on your phone all works.
You could also rally some exterior support from a coach or confidant. When you go public, and others are watching, you may be more inclined to stay on course.
Consider Luck
Luck may play a role in your early success, and that’s fine. Some people have an easier time than others.
For example, suppose your goal is to build 20 pounds of muscle. Some people are more genetically inclined to do that. It doesn’t mean with hard and wise work, you can’t do the same.
The same is true for professional goals. Knowing the right people or being in the right place certainly has given many people a boost. So, instead of feeling jealous or bitter, become a master networker and make sure you know the right people! Show up in the right places and ensure your face and name are on all the movers and shakers’ minds. Investing in company goals could certainly increase your luck.
Reflect
Finally, it pays to reflect on your progress and ask whether your goals fit your broader life strategy. Sometimes, you can work on something for six months and then realize at the end that it’s not really something you want to do long-term. When this happens, the wisest course of action is to change course and try something new.
