We all have things we want to do. Sometimes something as simple as completing some mundane chore seems to demand more of our time than we think we have. Maybe we have lofty goals for our life and we want to get there eventually. Either way, we can’t just wait for them to happen. Here are 11 ways in no particular order to achieve your goals. Why 11? It’s one more than 10, that’s why.
1. Identify what you want to do:
Call this pre-planning if you will or brainstorming. This can be done in your spare time, in some cases sub-consciously. When I say spare time, I mean those minutes that you might just be daydreaming. These are the ideas in the stream of thoughts that fly by in a flash. Try to organize your thoughts in such a way that you can put them down on paper.
2. Write things down:
This is totally underutilized now since everyone carries around a smartphone. When you get that flash of inspiration, you can jot down a note that can be fleshed out later. Use your phone if you have to. The phone ties into the next step.
3. Eliminate distractions:
Ah, yes now we’re getting somewhere. You have to make a decision here. If you’re not happy with your current situation, why are you surfing on your phone? You have to decide how you’re going to manage your time. Most of our distractions are self-inflicted.
4. Make a plan:
I said a plan, not a list. If there is some seemingly unobtainable goal you have, just remember that someone has probably already done it. You make your plan like a pyramid. Start with the big goal and break it down into the small goals that will get you there. Figure out what you can do now and what is best left for the future. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
5. Try to do something every day to get to your goal:
This one helps me a lot. It’s similar to making your bed every morning. You won’t feel as depressed about not making your goal if you’re moving towards it every day. The sense of satisfaction will keep you on track.
6. Make time to work towards your goal:
Wait, don’t tell me. You don’t have time to do this or that. You have time to read this article right? We have to make time for our priorities in life. There is an hour somewhere in your day if you look for it. In a week’s time, that’s 7 hours. Almost the length of an average workday.
7. Ignore internal resistance:
I’ve always struggled with this one. Usually, we are the cause of resistance in our lives. I can cook up all kinds of reasons why something can’t be done or so and so might say this. This for me is the largest of all obstacles in achieving goals. Read or listen to “The War of Art”. That helped me out a lot.
8. Do what works best for you:
No one knows you better than you. What works for you? You may not know the answer. For me, I’ve had to try many things in order to find what works for me. This is a very fluid process for me meaning it always changes.
9. Be accountable to yourself:
This one is tricky. One way I am trying to overcome this problem is by carrying around a planner and writing down what I’m doing each day. The point is to do this every day. If you need to, have a friend or someone be the person you’re accountable to.
10. You only have so much energy:
You have to focus on what you’re after. Many people waste energy every day just worrying about others, or what’s going on in the media. It can be another distraction. If you have a situation you can’t change, don’t waste your energy on it. You won’t have any for the things you want to do.
11. Read, Pray, and Meditate:
This might not be for everyone. I think it is essential to obtaining your goals. Reading keeps you sharp and informs you when you need to understand a subject. Learn to be self-taught. As far as praying and meditating go, just try it. If you haven’t, you may open up a new world of possibilities for yourself. There’s plenty out there on that subject.
There you have it. 11 ways to achieve your goals. Now go out there and get it!
