Six Ways To Stay On Track With Your Goals

You worked hard at setting your goals. Yes, you developed both Aspirational and SMART goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. You were suppose put them into ACTION. Something happened. You got too busy! Days went by, then months and here you are - your goals are not fulfilled. In fact, you have forgotten about them.

“Maybe next year,” you say.

Sound familiar.

Keeping on track with your goals is easier said than done. You need to do the work to follow through on them.  However, when it comes to not doing the work toward your goals, falling back on the expression “easier said then done” can have some severe consequences for you such as you:
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• Are easily distracted.
• Lose integrity.
• React to the latest thing.
• Remain unfocused.
• Lack priorities.
• Miss opportunities.
• Increase your frustration and stress.
• Give-in to procrastination.
• Have difficulty keeping motivated.
• Experience a breakdown in confidence.

No one wants to experience these types of personal setbacks.  The following are six ways for you to turn them around.

1: Write your goals down.   When it comes to keeping appointments and meeting deadlines, most people write them down—or else they somehow disappear until after they’ve passed. The same is true with goals. Without visually concretizing your aim in writing, your goal is likely to dissipate into thin air.

Once you have them written down post them so that you can see them. Put them on your computer desktop, print them out and post them on your wall, link them to your task manager so that they routinely come up.
 
2. Set a schedule.   Maybe your goals are more aspirational than SMART. If so, your goal won’t have a due date and you will keep putting them off if things get in the way, or perhaps when you just feel lazy. Put the goal on your calendar. If it’s something big, don’t try to cram too many other things into the days before your deadline.
 
3. Break them down.   Your goal will be easier to accomplish if you break it down into digestible steps. When architects plan a building, they don’t just put it up in one day: it’s built in parts, from the foundation up. The same is true with your goal. Break it down into weekly, monthly, or even yearly chunks, depending on how far out the deadline is.
This is all about developing an ACTION PLAN. If you don’t have one or don’t know how to create an ACTION PLAN let me know in the comments below and I will send one to you.
 
4. Become Accountable.   Studies have shown that when you have to report to someone else, you are more likely to stay on track. Pick an accountability buddy—it could be someone working towards the same goal, like a gym partner, or perhaps just a friend or family member. Set up times when you will check in and notify them of your progress.

This is extremely important when it comes to your business or work goals. Solopreneurs, Internet Marketers, and the like usually work alone. If you find yourself in this position then search for someone who is interested in what you do like a coach, a mentor, a friend on Facebook, or someone in a Facebook group. The important factor here is that you want someone who is committed to your success, will treat you with dignity but who will be brutally honest with you. You don’t want someone who will just let you off the hook so to speak.
 
5. Be Positive.   Remember the story of The Little Engine That Could—he was able to climb the hill because he kept on saying “I think I can, I think I can.” You should have the same reaction towards your goals: verbal and mental positivity. Use affirmations, positive thinking, and support from those around you to help you reach for them.
 
6. Treat Yourself.   When you hit a milestone, do something nice for yourself, whether it’s going out to lunch or buying a new article of clothing. Plan a special event or prepare to claim a prize when you reach your goal. Teachers are great at leveraging this tactic: when their class hits a behavioral or educational goal, they throw a pizza party. Why not use the same strategy and celebrate with a nice treat when you accomplish your goal?

If your goal has a product associated with it and you have a return on your investment of time and money, then take a percentage of the income and reinvest it into your business and into your own growth and development. Why? Because your personal growth and development matter for your continued success.
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As always take care, stay safe and become the person you were meant to be.
Thanks for reading,
Richard Fontanie

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