Seven Success Secrets That Will Help You Keep Any Goal You Set
Yesterday's tips were well received so.... I thought it might be helpful to add a list of methods for achieving success in the New Years Resolution business.
I have been setting goals for as long as I can remember. I have also watched others have various levels of success with their goals and resolutions. Here are the seven things that help me achieve a high degree of success. Maybe some will help you.
1. Let your yes be yes and your no be no - in other words, your word should be your bond, not just with others, but, by all means, with yourself. The secret to not breaking your word is to not give it out willy nilly. So only make resolutions that you seriously intend to keep. This will create a pattern of success that will allow you to set new resolutions in the future.
2. Keep your eye on the prize. If the resolution requires doing something you’d rather not (like eating less or exercising more), there will be days, or weeks, or every day, when you struggle with doing what you’ve planned to do. Visualize the result your hoping for … in detail. Even imagine the praise you might receive or the trophy you might win.
3. Reward yourself often for achieving small victories. Dark chocolate is a great reward. It has been proven to be good for you. Only allow yourself the indulgence on those days or weeks when you have done what you planned to do.
4. Share with others in the effort. If you have others to socialize with while running or going to the gym, or just other folks to keep you accountable, you chances of staying on course rise dramatically. Choose your accountability or discipline partners carefully. The wrong one can drag you down. For me - I will lose 15 pounds in 75 days by cutting carbs and working out 20 minutes a day.
5. Keep some kind of record that provides you with a check box or way to line through the various levels of accomplishment. It helps to stay motivated when there is a score that is being kept. You might even compete with your partner, but keep it fun.
6. Tell the world about your resolution. The more folks who know you’ve made a pledge to accomplish some goal, the harder it will be to back away when the going gets tough. Keep a few friends apprised of your progress; specifically, those you know will encourage you.
7. Assuming there is a time associated with the goal, tell yourself this on the hardest days: “I can do anything for two months (or fill in the blank with the time left).” This isn’t a lie. Humans are quite capable of strenuous or noxious tasks if there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Go For It!
By the way, if you have an idea to add to the list or if one or more of these don't work for you, please add your thoughts in the comments.
There is also another post that preceded this on that listed 7 tips to Happiness. Some of those would be the best kind of goals to create at any time.
