Goal Setting: Set Yourself Up for Success
Everyone wants to set goals, but what is the best way to do that. Just Google “how to set goals,” and there are 1.5 billion results. Yikes! There’s sure no shortage of advice out there. Here we are going to talk about just making “One Simple Change” at a time. It’s how to approach the goal of healthy living, which we need to see as a lifelong journey, not as a singular destination. The fundamental idea is that by making a series of small, simple changes over time, you can enjoy great health benefits down the road. It’s a really powerful principle. This approach can actually be effective for achieving goals of any kind. But first, let’s look at the goals themselves.
Setting Your Goals
One common approach involves setting SMART goals.
Specific. Be clear about what you’re trying to achieve. The sharp focus will help you define what you need to do.
Measurable. This allows you to track your progress, which can help you stay focused and encouraged.
Achievable. It’s fine, even admirable, to aim high ultimately, but by setting a goal that is realistic and attainable, you’re helping set yourself up for success. Believe in yourself that this is something you can do. Relevant. Is this something that matters to you? Why do you want to achieve this goal? Get to the heart of yourmotivation—and the closer it is to your heart, you may be more likely to succeed.
Time-bound. Have you ever heard the quote “A goal is a dream with a deadline?” Well, without a target date, it can be difficult to find the motivation to stick to your goals and make progress.
Achieving Your Goals
Once you’ve set goals (yea!), it’s time to get to work. Follow these steps to improve your odds of success.
1. Write down your goals.
Hand write them on a piece of notebook paper, borrow your kid’s markers and draw them on a sheet of craft paper or print them in a fun font from your computer. However you choose to do it, document them.
2. Post them in a prominent place. You want to see them everyday to remind you of what you are trying to accomplish. Magnet them to your fridge, tape them on your bathroom mirror or anywhere you look everyday.
3. Share your goals with your friends and family. Telling people in your life about your goals helps them become real. Those people you trust become your support system and can help you stay accountable to those goals you’ve set for yourself. They also can offer moral support as needed along the way.
4. Plot out your plan to achieve your goals and start right away. There is never a perfect time and if you wait for it, it may never come. Remember, the principle is One Simple Change. So you don’t have to overwhelm yourself. Just pick one thing, You can use this concept to break up a larger goals into a series of smaller, more manageable actions that you take to get to that larger goal. You know the saying “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single
step?” It honestly couldn’t be truer. Sometimes taking that first step is hard. But if you don’t take it, you’re stuck where you are.
5. Celebrate progress and forgive setbacks. Take the time to recognize your advancement along the way. And don’t let a few slip ups divert your entire course.
