First, the Dos:
1. DO start small.
Don’t
overwhelm yourself. Make sure you can see the finish line by starting
with something you can achieve in a couple of weeks. Once you get some
momentum going, you can move onto bigger goals.
For example,
rather than setting “Write a novel” as your goal, a more achievable goal
is “Outline novel idea.” Then, once you finish your outline, your next
goal could be “Write chapter one.”
Taking this approach will help
you see progress and feel a constant sense of accomplishment, so that
you’re more likely to keep going and achieve your ultimate goal.
2. DO be specific.
Avoid generalities like, “Get in shape.” Set specific goals like, “Work out 15 minutes each morning before work for 2 weeks.”
3. DO write it down.
The
mere act of writing your goals down helps to solidify them or “make
them real” in your mind. Having something tangible to refer back to also
serves as a reminder to keep you focused and motivated.
4. DO give yourself deadlines.
To-do
list are easy to ignore if there are no deadlines. Giving yourself
deadlines creates a sense of urgency to take action now. It elevates
your goals to have equal importance in your life as work deadlines and
other day-to-day responsibilities. It also forces you to measure your
progress on a regular basis, so you can see where you are and how far
you’ve come.
5. DO build in rewards.
This is
the step most people forget. Positive reinforcement is a powerful force
for change. Knowing there’s a reward waiting for you on the other side
of a challenge can be just the incentive you need to get over hurdles
along the way.
Now, the Don’ts
1. DON’T let your goals too high to achieve them.
Be
ambitious, but also realistic. Remember, once you achieve your starter
goals, you can always set new ones. Think of goal-setting as a ladder to
your dreams and take it one rung at a time.
2. DON’T wait.
We
all have a million reasons NOT to get started today. “I’m not feeling
well.” “I’m so busy at work.” “My family is in town.” Stop! Stop making
excuses, stop procrastination, stop getting in your own way. Just get to
it … right now, today.
3. DON’T dwell on past failures.
Defeatist attitudes lead to defeat. What’s done is done. Don’t let yesterday ruin today. Learn to let go.
4. DON’T expect perfection.
Accept
the fact that you might not meet every goal you set, or make it on the
first try every time. Don’t beat yourself up over setbacks. Instead, try
to recognize your own achievements, however small. You will find that
positive thinking and a healthy sense of self-worth will get you through
any challenge.
5. DON’T let anything get in your way.
We’re
all busy. We all have bad days. We all deal with traffic and bills and
the daily hassles of life. Get over it. Work through the tough times and
keep going.