Perhaps you have heard of setting SMART goals – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. Goal setting is the first step in achieving any goal. Have you ever wondered what comes after goal setting?  In this article, I share with you seven steps to achieving your goals.

1. Goal setting

Goals give you DIRECTION and PURPOSE. Think about WHAT is it that you want. Is it better health, fitness level, relationship? Then think about WHY you want to achieve it. What does achieving the goal mean to you? What value will it add to your life? Is it going to take you where you want to be in 5 years, 10 years?

Make sure your goal is SMART

Specific – Measurable – Achievable – Realistic – Timely

You can set goals to achieve anything in life, not just fitness and health.

2. Write it down

Did you know that people who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them?

Write down your SMART goal somewhere you can see every single day.

Tell someone you trust, someone who will encourage and support you on the journey.

3.  Have a plan

A goal without a plan is just a dream. You can wish and pray that your dream will come true. That this year, things will be different. I wish that for you too. However, without a plan, it is unlikely that your thoughts, actions and habits will change consistently. For example, you want to improve your cardiovascular fitness. The guideline for this is to do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week.  To achieve this, you could brisk walk 30 minutes, 5 days a week; or run 25 minutes, 3 days a week. Make time to make it happen.

4. Solve problems

Anticipate obstacles along the way. I would like you to write down three potential obstacles that might prevent you from achieving your goal. Now, write down three solutions to each obstacle. The more creative you are in problem solving, the more likely you are able to overcome them. During this process, you develop a very important and valuable skill – resilience.

5. Build winning habits

Achievement is the result of taking little steps, in the right direction, day in and day out.  Winning habits can be developed through deliberate practice, whether it’s changing your mindset or taking actions. It takes time. It takes discipline. The good news is that habits will make the change more sustainable and consistent.

6. Celebrate victories

Take time to celebrate what you have achieved!

Reward yourself for your hard work, discipline and commitment.

7. Review and reflect

Think about what you have accomplished, how far you have come. Now that you have overcome various obstacles and achieved your goal, how do you feel? What is the next step? Is it time to move on to setting another goal, or would you like to keep practising what you learnt to make the change more permanent?

Remember, goals change in life, and that is ok. What serves you now may not serve you in the future. Life is constantly changing and we evolve to become a better self.

What are you working on right now? Please share.