How to Stay Focused & Motivated to Achieve Your Goals for the New Year
The new year is around the corner, and probably just like last year, you’re thinking about your resolutions for this proverbial “fresh start”. Hopefully, you are not repeating the same resolutions you had the year before. But more often than not, that is the case. Everyone makes mistakes, gives up, gets tired, busy and/or lazy.
Here are 10 tips to keep you motivated and focused to (actually) stick with your New Year’s resolutions.
1. Set S.M.A.R.T goals
Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Relevant. Time-bound.
If your goal for the new year is BIG, overwhelming and, even with all your good intentions, seems unattainable, your chances of giving up are greater. So break down your big goals into smaller S.M.A.R.T goals. Give yourself deadlines and specific ways to measure your success. For example instead of saying “I will workout more”, say “for the next 2 months, I will workout at least X times a week”.
2. Write them down
Be as specific as possible and explain why you want to achieve these goals. Making a contract with yourself, increases your commitment and your chances of success. Stick it somewhere you will see it everyday, like on the fridge or your bathroom mirror.
3. Think positive
Practice positive thinking. Instead of focusing on all the ways you can fail, or making up excuses as to why you can’t keep up with your goals, think of all the ways you can succeed. Repeat these to yourself every day.
4. Find an accountability partner
Find yourself an accountability partner to help you reach your goals. If you start to get off track they will hold you accountable.
5. Make a plan, but be flexible
A goal without a plan is just a wish. How are you going to reach your goals? Will you sign up for a running club, the gym, a race, a new training plan? New business strategy? Write it down and be flexible so you’re prepared when things don’t go as planned.
6. Don’t be a perfectionist
Consistency is better than perfection. If you quit trying every time you make a mistake then you will be starting at week 1 every week.
7. Learn from your mistakes
You know yourself better than anyone. Have you tried to achieve this goal before? Why did you fail? Learn from your shortcomings and do better.
8. Pay attention to your language
Change the way you talk to change the way you act! Replace your “I want…” with “I will…” and watch your attitude change.
9. Don’t be passive
Nothing works unless you do. Take action, even when things are not going your way. If you are willing to put in the work you will get the results!
10. Surround yourself with like-minded people.
Sometimes it’s hard to stay motivated or stay positive. Find someone, or a group of people with similar goals and be each other’s motivation. Teamwork makes the dream work 😉
11. Distance yourself from negativity
Whether it’s a person, situation or thing, stay away from it. There’s no place for negativity in success.
12. Ask for help
If you just can’t seem get going or you know yourself well enough that you don’t think you can do it alone, there is nothing wrong with asking for help. It can be as simple as asking your partner to give you a push
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