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Tired of setting goals and New Year’s resolutions that you never achieve? Learn a simple framework for how to achieve your goals and dreams!
June, 2008.
Clutching the envelope in my hand, I waved my arm in the air.
The warmth of the sun on my face only brightened my sense of accomplishment.
I hid a smile as the roar of the mower engine sputtered to a gentle click.
“Dad, look.” I handed over the envelope, forcing the corners of my mouth straight so I wouldn’t look like a giddy child.
I’d done it.
Did you achieve your New Year’s resolution last year?
Do you even remember what it was?
If your answer is no, you’re in good company. And there’s a simple reason why.
80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February, according to U.S. News.
New Year’s resolutions, as well as goals in general, are famous for being abandoned. But why?
Here’s why: Too much overwhelm, and not enough accountability.
The Problem With “Goal-Setting”
There’s so much focus on goal-setting and dreaming big. But how often does someone tell you exactly how to achieve your goals and dreams?
Hardly ever.
You deserve to achieve your goals. You don’t deserve to be left feeling frustrated and defeated because you stopped making progress towards them.
We can set goals all day. But we’ll be setting ourselves up for disappointment unless we create a framework to help us achieve those goals and dreams.
Here’s how to achieve the goals and dreams you set.
Make it Manageable
One of the most difficult things about achieving big goals is that they can seem daunting. You might feel intimidated by having a big, hairy goal or dream.
As a result, you’ll probably start to feel overwhelmed because you have no idea how to achieve your goals.
The answer? Make that big goal or dream manageable, by breaking it down into smaller goals.
How to Make a Goal Manageable: Example
Let’s say you’ve set a goal to lose 25 pounds in a year. That’s quite a goal! The first week of January, you’ll be hitting the gym, eating rice cakes, and stepping on the scale nonstop.
Then life will happen. You’ll get busy. You’ll get tired. Overwhelm will set in. You’ll look at the 25-pound goal and think to yourself, “There’s no way I can achieve that.”
The solution? Break that great big goal down into smaller monthly goals. Instead of chasing 25 pounds starting January 1st, set a goal to lose 2 pounds in January.
Just 2 little pounds.
Doesn’t that sound way easier than 25 pounds? And when you hit that 2-pound goal on January 31st, you will feel awesome. With that win under your belt, you’ll be motivated to make even more progress toward your goal of 25 pounds for the year.
Set these mini goals for each day, week or month – whatever makes sense for the size of your goal. Focus just on what you want to accomplish during that smaller time period to make progress toward your bigger goal. You’ll start achieving those monthly goals, and you’ll put yourself on a solid path toward crushing that goal, whether it be a New Year’s resolution, or a lifelong dream.
Create a Plan
My awesome friend Kim Anderson at Thrifty Little Mom taught me that goals are way more achievable when they’re broken down into specific actions.
As a result, you’ll know exactly what the next step is toward reaching your goal. You’ll never be left wondering how to achieve your goals, because you will have already figured that out!
Taking our example of losing 25 bounds in a year, here’s how you might break it down into an action plan:
I will lose 25 pounds in 1 year by:
- Walking for 30 minutes or going to the gym 5 days per week
- Creating a healthy meal plan for the week each Sunday evening
- In order to lose 2 pounds per month
Crafting a specific plan around your New Year’s resolution gives you specific tasks to do each day or week. As a result, you’ll know exactly what you need to do, and whether you’re on track.
Be Accountable
Another reason you might not be reaching your goals or New Year’s resolutions? You might not have enough accountability.
The word “accountability” conjures up negative images for most people. A scowling teacher pointing a finger in your face, a mean boss micromanaging your work from the corner office.
But the right kind of accountability will keep you on track, lift you up when you’re losing steam, and keep you motivated to make progress toward your goals and dreams.
Let’s tweak the way we approach accountability. Stop asking, “Am I succeeding or failing?” when you check in with your goals. Instead, take time to review what you did well, and what you could do better going forward.
By doing so, you’ll generate useful feedback for yourself, rather than a generic, unhelpful (And sometimes defeating) “pass” or “fail.”
You could also find an accountability partner who is working toward a similar goal. You can support and encourage each other along the way. As a result, you’ll never feel alone in working toward your goal.
Schedule Check-Ins With Your Goals
The thing about useful accountability is that you have to remember to do it! You could write it in your planner or scheduling app. But let’s be honest. It’s really easy to glaze over something on your schedule when you’re busy and overwhelmed.
To avoid glossing over important things like reviewing progress toward my goals, I have a little trick: I schedule a text message reminder to myself (From myself) for the day I plan to do my accountability review. A text message will catch you off-guard, and remind you that reviewing your progress is important.
How to Achieve Your Goals: Conclusion
Setting goals is great, but the real joy comes from working toward them. And when you finally get there? You’ll feel a swell of self-love and pride, just like I did on that summer day in 2008. The day when the diploma for my master’s degree came in the mail.
I hadn’t attended the graduation ceremony, but I’d worked my butt off in grad school full-time, while working 50 hours per week at my job. Achieving that goal and presenting that diploma to my dad, and later my mom, was one of the best moments of my life.
I hope you’ve found these tips for achieving your goals, dreams, and New Year’s resolutions helpful. Here’s a quick summary of how to achieve your goals.
- Make your goals and New Year’s resolutions manageable by breaking them up into smaller monthly, weekly, or daily mini goals
- Create a plan with specific action steps to reach each of your smaller mini goals
- Hold yourself accountable by reviewing what you’re doing well and how you can do better
- Consider finding an accountability partner to support you in working toward your goal
- Schedule regular check-ins with your goals to help stay on track
What is your biggest goal for the coming year? Let me know in the comments below!