I can't to my 'goals' alone so here's 31 ways (days) of getting to them with some help! I will update this post as often as I can and give you some ideas of how to reach these!
1)
If you haven't yet settled on your top goals for the year, do so today. Writing down
your goals (in specific terms) means you're more likely to achieve them. I took this advice and shared them on here with myself and you!
2)
Are your goals specific and positive? Rather than vowing "to exercise" for example, reword each goal so that it is clear and measurable. I feel I did this one fairly decent too. They might not be as specific as these suggest, they are pretty direct on what I need/want to accomplish.
3)
Post your written goals in places where you'll see them often—on your computer or fridge, in a
picture frame on your desk, as a bookmark, and in your wallet. These reminders will help you stay focused and on track. I haven't done this as much as I should, but I know that I've told a few more people than 'normal' about my goals for the year. I need to put this on my to-do list!
4)
Develop an action plan for every goal. For example, a healthy eating resolution may involve: learning more about good nutrition, visiting a dietitian, finding ways to adapt your recipes, buying containers to pack lunches, learning how to prepare new foods, and planning extra time for shopping and cooking. Don't overwhelm yourself with every action step at once, but focus on a few things each day. I wish I could follow this advice more... I tend to do all or nothing! However, I'm working on 're-learning' the exercise routines and regimens. I'm also learning more about what's REALLY healthy vs. what they tell us is healthy and trying to make more 'natural' choices in the foods we eat as a family. (NOT always easy, but little by little I'm learning :D)
5)
Make a realistic timeline to stay on track. Deadlines turn wishes into goals. Give yourself adequate time to complete each action step and choose a date when you hope to reach your overall goal. If you haven't started working on your goals yet, today is the day! FUNNY...I was just thinking of this last night, as I lay in bed with the worst headache I've had in A LONG time. I was thinking how I haven't updated this blog more, or how I've only done 2 days of exercise each week or how my $$ saving isn't where I expected it would be. Today is the day... I'm working EXTRA hard at setting these deadlines!!
6)
Share your goals with family and friends for invaluable support and assistance. Confiding in them is a powerful motivator for helping you remain consistent and persistent. Some may be willing to modify their own lives to help you giving up soda or watching the kids while you hit the gym, for example. I feel I've been doing this. Every night I get to talk to my husband and we discuss our financial goals. I've 'adopted' a running group that helps me stay motivated and encouraged to sign up for those 5k's. We are beginning new challenges with family and friends to stay motivated to eat healthier and do 10 minutes (at least) of exercise a day. Each person has a different technique that they are sharing with each other and together we can do these!!!
7)
Enlist a diverse support system instead of just one buddy. These people should be encouraging
or knowledgeable in helpful ways, whether swapping healthy recipes, exercising with enthusiasm, or sharing weight loss tips. Again, with the sharing of ideas, goals and such, I feel like this is kind of wrapped up in idea number 6 and 7 together :)
8)
Start a journal. This can be a simple notebook or a computer document. Use it to track your progress, record your successes and learn from your mistakes. When you have a bad day, use it to remember why you chose these goals and how far you've come. I haven't done this to any extra amount. I SHOULD. I will also put this on my to-do list. Other than this blog and my financial software, I haven't done any writing of how it is going. I NEED to do it!
9)
Create a motivational collage. Find inspiring pictures, encouraging words and quotes, or anything that reminds you of your goal. Glue it all together and place it where you can see it daily. This is your vision a clear, motivating, and energizing reminder of who you want to be. Not even close to doing this. Another to-do item to help us out. I do have a Pinterest board about motivation, but nothing that I look at regularly or even add to daily :(
10)
Don't expect perfection. You will mess up, make mistakes, and forget along the way. The key is persistence and a willingness to learn from your mistakes. Focus on what you have done right instead of dwelling on the negative. Great advice. Need to follow. :( I'm pretty hard on myself when things don't work the way I THINK they should. Again, I need to do 8 and 9 to help myself remember where I've been, where I don't want to be again and where I AIM to be in a year!
11)
Practice saying, thinking and writing positive things about yourself. Acknowledge and take credit for the things you've done well, and recognize your abilities and talents. Keep a list to add to, think about, and read to yourself daily. As of today, this is non-existent in my life :( Need to work on telling myself the positives. I'm a positive person to everyone else, now let me remind myself!
12)
Develop a plan B. Work, travel, or kids will disrupt your routine, so create alternatives walk during lunch, choose healthy fast foods, or wake up earlier. Doing something is always better than doing nothing. Plan B, Plan C and Live in MN plan :) It's not easy to be outside in the month of January... but jogging in place for my C25K program, has to be better than nothing?! RIGHT?!!?! Picking up the pace of walking from place to place at work, increased value, maybe?! I'm trying...
13)
Take advantage of technology. Sign up for motivational emails or text messages, set reminders on your computer, or have a friend call and check in on you. These little things will keep you focused no matter where you are. Check! This one I can say I've done. I have reminders on my phone, email reminders to work on certain goals, and people who ask almost every time I see them, "How's it going on such and such (a goal)?"
14)
Reward yourself. For each milestone you reach, plan something fun. Rather than using food or skipping a workout to celebrate, stay on track with: new clothes, a massage, a vacation, movie tickets, a book, a day off work, or a gym membership. I wish I could get there. I know one secret to success is to reward yourself. I am TRYING to remember this with each goal. I've got my own deadlines and when we reach them, we get to do something 'fun'. So far nothing seems to be "Fun" enough to encourage a couple of the goals though :(
15)
You're halfway there! Today, look back on your progress and reevaluate your goals. Are you on track with your timeline? Is your goal still important? Are you motivated? Make changes to your goals, if necessary, to keep the momentum going strong! Halfway point is VERY important. I'm not halfway on any of my goals, but I will keep this going and in my mind as we get through the weeks/months/year ahead!
16)
Avoid saboteurs. People will try to persuade you to go against your plan, whether they feel guilty themselves or jealous of you. Ignore them. Share your goals with positive people and stay away from these topics around the negative ones. How true is this?! In anything! I'm working on 'cleaning' out some of my acquaintances, friends and even family. If you can't be there to support me then maybe just seeing you on occasion is the best for our relationship right now.
17)
Write about your motivation in your journal. There are many reasons you chose your goals—better health, self-esteem, or happiness. Put all these reasons on paper and read them when you need motivation. NEED to do this too :( Along with the journal thing....
18)
On a calendar or spreadsheet, place a BIG sticker, star or checkmark on every day that you met your goals or took positive action steps. Over time, your calendar will become a visual reminder of your progress towards that long-term goal. It will also remind you that the occasional bad day doesn't have a major effect in the long-run. WONDERFUL! Must add to list of things to do!
19)
Find a goal buddy. While your support group should still be in place, a person who is striving for the same goal can offer greater support, inspiration and accountability. He'll count on you just as much as you count on him. I THINK I have one of these for most of my goals... my husband, my neighbor, my sister-in-laws, my bff and my kids. Now if only I could find a couple more for the rest of them. Guess that's something else to work on :)
20)
Visualize. Sit comfortably, breathing deeply, with your eyes closed. Envision yourself reaching that goal. How has your life changed? How does it feel to accomplish it? Picture all the steps you took to reach that point and believe in yourself. As of today, I haven't done this at all :(
21)
Share your knowledge. Could someone else benefit from what you've learned so far? Acting as a mentor can strengthen your own commitment to your goals and inspire others to create positive change in their own lives. Share your knowledge. I've been reaching out to others that want to learn about financial freedom-sharing ideas, goals and things I've done. Share your knowledge. I've given a good number of people ideas on how to run that first 5k, where to start looking for 5k's to run, etc. Now, whether that's good information or not, we'll find out, but I'm sharing knowledge that I've picked up in hopes that it helps even one more person!
22)
Learn something new that inspires you. If you want to quit smoking, for example, read about successful quitters whose lives have improved, or about how smoking affects your health. Find new, specific tips for your current stage. I think I'm inspired every day. I need to do more reading on the ways that these goals have helped others in the long run, but I feel like I'm taking baby steps in the right directions.
23)
Make yourself a priority. You do a lot for others, but tend to neglect yourself. Give
yourself the care, attention and love that you need. Your goals are important and you deserve to take time for yourself each day in order to achieve them. I SUCK at this one. I am a mommy of two and a loving wife of one....with a stepson in college. Their needs ALWAYS seem to be more important to me, but this is definitely something I need to work on (and it's actually partially why I made these goals this year).
24)
Do less. Bombarding yourself with too many goals can be stressful. The more items you focus on, the more each task suffers from a lack of priority, attention and accuracy. Whittle down your to-do list to focus on what is really important. True in many aspects of life. Need to be better at this.
25)
Celebrate milestones. While your long-term goal may be to lose 50 pounds or more, each
pound lost is one step closer and each deserves recognition! Call a friend or write in your journal. You never know who you may inspire! Again, I don't do this...but I need to :( Today, my to-do list is getting longer with idea and things to work on to help the overall achievement of many goals.
26)
Get the right tools. Sticking to your goals may require some supplies, like good shoes to exercise or finance software to reduce your debt. Choose the tools that keep you safe (first and foremost) and help you measure your progress. Too true! We have invested in good shoes for all of us (especially me since I'm the runner), we are working with Dave Ramsey's program (which does cost money, but hoping it's just a little stone in the BIG picture of what we can do!) for financial freedom and many other supplies/tools. I do need to get to a point where I just buy a new printer or suck up the time it's going to take to get the one we have fixed. Then I'll be well on the way to having the right tools!
27)
Add variety! To prevent boredom, try new things. Enroll in a class, find a local support group, try a new workout, or anything that keeps you excited. Need to do. I think I can do it all by doing what I've been doing, but it's only day 16 and I'm already getting 'bored'.
28)
Create your reality. The mind doesn't know the difference between imagined events and reality. Picture success. Try goal-related affirmations each day and your behavior will reflect what you want to be. Not even close as of today... :(
29)
Get back on track. Slip-ups are normal and they don't mean failure. Instead of beating yourself up for your mistakes, tell yourself that one error doesn't mean much. Don't wait until tomorrow, next week, or next month to get back on track start right away. Put your mistake into the past and move forward. Even the most successful people in the world make mistakes! MUST WORK ON!
30)
Everything is a choice. You choose to watch TV instead of walking, or to de-stress by eating instead of talking to someone. Before you act, stop and ask yourself if this "solution" will really help you in the long run. AH! This is so me.... I don't make the 'right' choices sometimes. Sometimes I just go with 'easy'.... need to work on this one!
31)
You have worked hard for an entire month to help make your dreams a reality. By now, you are well on your way to achieving all of your goals. Use what you've learned here to keep going and set new goals in the future. Can't wait to do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
