Rena Sinnott, a mindset coach and mindfulness practitioner, joins us to share 5 steps for setting effective goals.
Here we are, one month into the New Year and …what did you say your resolutions were again?
How many of us have set good intentions for those all-important goals and have already given up on them three weeks into the year!
So how do we make those goals stick?
1. Set goals that make you excited!
In order to set effective goals make sure you have a secure emotional attachment to them. When you know your ‘why’ behind the goals it makes it easier to work towards achieving them. For example, if you really want to buy your own house someday, make your goal count towards that e.g. Pay off my student loans in order to save for a house. Or if you always wanted to go to Asia, get excited for that by setting a savings goal towards that.
The key point here is know your why.
2. Visualize yourself achieving your goals
Visualize yourself achieving these goals. If you do not think you can achieve the goal then you simply will not. Remember that your thoughts create your actions. The fundamental thing here is to believe that you can!
Create a vision board with images of your goals or write down what your life will look like once you have achieved this goal. Visualizing is a powerful tool for motivation.
3. Use SMART targets
Break down your goals into achievable tasks using this SMART method.
S – Make your goals specific!
M – Make them measurable using specific measurements or figures.
A – Achievable — should stretch you a little, but stay within your skill/knowledge range.
R – Make them realistic knowing what resources you have and what you will need.
T – Time them, so put a deadline on it! eg. Save €300 per month until October.
4. Anticipate and plan for obstacles that might hold you back
The best way to achieve your goals is to believe you can but to know that life sometimes gets in the way. Anticipate obstacles that may get in your way and come up with a plan for how you will manage those obstacles. For example, if you goal is to exercise every day for 20 minutes, imagine that bad weather, motivation and tiredness could get in the way. Now plan for how you will manage on those days by planning to do a shorter walk, do an indoor workout or a fun dance activity instead.
5. Write a plan and write affirmations
My biggest tip is to write your goals down!
By looking at them written out it will remind you every day of what you are working towards. Then create positive affirmations around these goals.
For example, if your goal is to move to Dubai for work next year, then create affirmations that will affirm to you that this is possible e.g. I AM able to travel where I want, when I want, with whom I want & I have unlimited resources to do so!
This will help you to stay positive and if you say this to yourself every day it will also remind you of your goals regularly.
I hope that these tips will help you to set and achieve positive goals for yourself that are attainable and exciting.
For more help on how to achieve your goals, check out my Goal Setting & Meditation Workshop taking place in February, or check out my mindset coaching programmes tailored for teachers.
