How To Stay Committed To Your Goals

Goals–we all have them, but we don’t always meet them.

Why not?

In my personal experience, when I give up on goals, it is because I didn’t plan well or really wasn’t committed to that goal.

Here are some tips to avoid some of the pitfalls that keep us from reaching our goals:

1. Planning

When you are setting a goal, think a lot about that goal and how you will work to achieve it. Make a solid plan and then focus on how to execute that plan. Effective and thorough planning will help you stay on track. Give yourself a timeline and benchmarks to help you track those goals.

For example, if you know you want to lose weight, don’t say you will work out more. Be specific; decide how many times you will work out and what you will be doing while you are at the gym. This will set you up for success.

P.S. Grab our Goal Planning Worksheet from the Resource Library to help you plan out your goals! 

2. Document

Write down your goals. This will help you stick with them. When you are feeling like they don’t matter or it’s easier to stop, look at them and your plan. Along those same lines, remember why you set those goals in the first place.

If they were important enough for you to take time to plan them, why aren’t they important enough to stick with?

3. Accountability

Whether you hold yourself accountable or find an accountability partner, this is a crucial step. You’ll need encouragement or a little kick in the pants to help you stay on track. For me, I have a few friends who help hold me accountable in my fitness journey. When I haven’t worked out in a few days (or weeks), they ask me what is going on. I know if I miss a few days they will ask me about it, and sometimes that is enough motivation for me.

Don’t forget to be easy on yourself. Some of your goals won’t be easy and you may take a break from trying to achieve them or fail at something you try, but don’t forget to keep going and don’t beat yourself up. Every time I miss a day at the gym I am frustrated with myself, but my focus should be getting back up and going the next day. Just keep working towards your goals.

P.S. Our Goal Accountability Worksheet makes a great self-accountability system!

4. Mantra

Create a mantra or write down a favorite quote that will help motivate you. Write it down or put it in your phone, but go back to it when you are feeling less than motivated.

Here are some of my personal favorite mantras:

• “It always seems impossible until it’s done” – Nelson Mandela
• “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’” – Audrey Hepburn
• “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

[clickToTweet tweet=”“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt” quote=”“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt”]

5. Sacrifice

Most big goals require some sacrifice or something you don’t want to do.

For me, there are sacrifices I have to make to meet my financial goals. Maybe I don’t buy that extra drink or I eat at home when I would rather have takeout. For you, it may be a bigger sacrifice, but there are bound to be some. Instead of looking at these as negatives, appreciate and embrace them.

Think of your sacrifices as stepping stones to your goal. Here is a fun example: Envision the yellow brick road. See your sacrifices as gold sidewalks that will help you reach your emerald city.

[clickToTweet tweet=”See your sacrifices as gold sidewalks that will help you reach your emerald city.” quote=”See your sacrifices as gold sidewalks that will help you reach your emerald city.”]

6. Rewards

Don’t forget to reward yourself! When you make it to your emerald city, what happens? What are some fun things you can do when you achieve your goals?

Sticking to your goals can be challenging and sometimes you may get off track, but don’t forget why you set those goals and why they are important to you. Work to stay committed to them so that you can reap the benefits of achieving the goal.

What are some goals you are working on now? How are you staying on track to meet those goals? Let us know!

 

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