Achieving Your Goals

Everyone has goals. Some are big, some are small, but we all have them and we all wish we could achieve more of them. A lot of us struggle with achieving them, though, and some goals just always seem out of our grasp. So what can you do to make your goals more easily attainable?

The best way is to define your goals. The main trap that people fall into when it comes to plotting out their intentions is that they choose vague ideas over measurable targets. Sure, you may want to spend better quality time with your kids but how do you know when you've truly accomplished that? A better goal would be, perhaps, to have a family game night every week. Or maybe take each of your children out for a treat every month, individually, and have some one on one time with them. Write down what it is you want to do and try to be as specific as you possibly can be. If you can narrow a goal down to something measurable you will be more likely to reach it.

I say write it down because that helps cement it in your mind and make it a real goal and not a wish. Keep the list of goals where you'll see it often. Make it your browser home page. Post the list on your freezer door. Place a list of goals in your wallet where you can see them. (You'll find that works especially well with financial goals.) Even better than a list is a visual aid - want to lose weight? Put up a photo of the expensive dress you want to be able to wear. Trying to save up for a vacation? Put a photo of the destination in your wallet, wrapped around your credit card so you'll think twice before spending the money on something else.

You will also do better at achieving your dreams if you can do them in baby steps. For instance, going back to the losing weight goal, decide that you will lose 5 pounds. Perhaps you want to lose 20 but for now focus on that 5. It's more easily attainable and it will help you feel like you're making more progress. If you think it will help keep you on track, treat yourself whenever you reach a baby step goal. Turn your friends or family into your cheerleaders and update them when you've gotten a step closer to the big picture. Join a goal-oriented website and you may just wind up with a great online support group or people wanting to do the same things you desire.

Finally, don't beat yourself up if it takes you longer than you expect. Just because you didn't achieve your dream today doesn't mean that you won't make progress tomorrow. Refine your goals often and focus on the positive outcomes.