As the new year kicks off with a fresh start, people have jotted down their New Year’s resolutions. While having a resolution is great and all, people often fall short of reaching their goals for a variety of reasons. And while most have to do with self-discipline and personal motivation, there is something to be said for just not setting goals that work.
Disclaimer: All of the views and opinions in this post are solely my own and are not sponsored. This post may include affiliate links, meaning I earn a commission through links at no cost to you.
In this article, I’ll be covering a few strategies on how to make goals that are achievable and easy to reach.
Goals vs systems
First, we need to talk about goals versus systems. This is not an original idea by any means, but it is a lasting ideal that has withstood the tests of time in every self-help community.
Goals are by default a desire. They’re an aspiration of something you want. But on their own, goals can’t get you anywhere. They’re the end result, not the journey in between. What makes goals ineffective on their own is simply that they don’t provide a path towards success. They’re an ambition and nothing more.
The idea of goals versus systems comes from several different sources but my favorite is James Clear who authored the book, Atomic Habits.
If you haven’t already, definitely check out my blog post on New Year’s resolutions or my YouTube video on the same topic. Both highlight key components of Clear’s work and depict the best strategies for maintaining resolutions throughout the year to come.
The message for this particular post however is Clear’s idea that a system is more effective than a goal on its own.
If you want to achieve your goal, you need to create a system and lay out a path towards success. This can be done in a step-by-step format or a list where once you tack of a task, you are closer to achieving your goal.
For example, my goal this year is to finish writing my novel. My system is a checklist of checkpoints within my novel that I want to complete by the end of each month. I can track this checklist by scratching out chapters i’ve already written and I can keep a pace that will inevitably bring me to the novel’s end by the end of the year.
This post will cover the idea of creating a system that works so be sure to keep this idea in mind as you continue reading.
1) Make your goals definitive
I’ve said it before and I’ll say again and again, you MUST make your goals definitive. I have a blog post and YouTube video on actionable lists that cover this same premise.
The more specific your goal, the better off you’ll be for achieving success.
Give your goal a number. Give it a due date. It’s not enough to say “this year, I want to be physically fit.” Make it definitive!
What does “physically fit” mean to you?
A better example of what you could say for your goal could be:
- “This year I want to lose 20lbs.”
- “This year I want to be able to bench 120lbs.”
- This year I want to be able to complete a 5k marathon.”
See the numbers? It sounds silly but numbers can make a goal more achievable. It gives you a clear idea of the end result your aiming for.
My goal is “this year I want to finish writing my novel.” While there’s no number, finishing the writing portion is definitive because I know where my story ends (sorry I can’t reveal how it ends!).
While your goal doesn’t have to include a number, it needs to be clear about what you plan to accomplish.
2) Make a plan
Next, it’s time to create a system. What is your plan to achieve your goal?
In order to be physically fit, maybe you choose to join CrossFit or another exercise program to boost your cardio so you can run that 5k.
Maybe you go on a dietary plan to lose weight. Maybe you decide to partake on Goodreads Yearly Challenge to read 50 books by the end of the year.
Making a plan is crucial to achieving the goal. Write out a step-by-step plan. For me, this was writing out “due dates” for each chapter. So, by the end of the year, all chapters will be written.
It could be writing out a step-by-step plan of workouts or meals or books you plan to read.
Whatever your goal, spend some time plotting out a list or plan that gets you where you want to go.
3) Make it specific
Like with defining your goals, your plan NEEDS to be specific. If you change your diet, make a meal plan for each week of the process. If you join an exercise program, outline your routines so you know what you’ll be doing.
I define my plan by chapters. Completing a chapter by its designated date is how I specify my plan.
Again, you can use numbers to help you define your plan but it’s not necessary. However, the more specific you are with your system, the easier it will be to stick with it and achieve success.
4) Have a method of accountability
One thing I’ve noticed about goals is that people fall short because they lose motivation or they become frustrated by a lack of results. They give up thinking they’ll never reach their goal and become disheartened when they’ve failed.
I’ve found that having a method of accountability can really push you to keep going even when things seem out of reach or too tough to achieve.
You see this a lot in workout regimes where people have a workout buddy or accountability partner. You each perform workouts together and push each other to continue when the going gets tough.
While not every goal can work with an accountability partner, there are other methods of accountability.
Personally, I love trackers and checking things off lists. Not everyone is a list person like me, but I’ve found what works for my needs. I love seeing trackers completely filled in when I do what I need to to reach a goal.
Other methods of accountability can include:
- Goal setting tools like planners and calendars
- Self-reflection journal prompts to check in on yourself
- Reminders on your phone
- Updating your progress on social media
There are several others but you’ll have to do a little trial and error before you find what works best for you.
5)Track your progress
Similar to accountability, tracking your progress is crucial for motivating yourself and achieving success.
I use habit trackers to copy down when I’ve achieved my goals and when I missed out on my routines.
The great thing about trackers is you can go back and analyze your successes and losses. You can see your progress and analyze your current pace.
It’s also a great way to implement self-accountability—especially if you track your progress each day!
If you want to know how to make trackers or how to include them in your routine you can view the following resources below:
YouTube video on how to make a habit tracker
Blog post: How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions
Blog post: How to Create Actionable Lists
Book recommendation: Atomic Habits by James Clear
If you like this post, check out some similar posts of mine below!
Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know what your goals are for the new year!
You can also email me with questions or concerns you may have at info.amelia.wilson@gmail.com
My new book, Witch in the Water, is available on Amazon!
Also, check out my poetry book, The Lights are on but Nobody’s Home, available now on amazon for $6.99!
Disclaimer: All of the views and opinions in this post are solely my own and are not sponsored. This post includes affiliate links, meaning I earn a commission through links at no cost to you.
Thanks again