How to Set and Achieve Your Goals: A Detailed Guide

It is easy to set your goals in your mind, but the most challenging part is following
through and achieving your goals. No matter how big your dreams and ambitions are, it
is essential to set clear goals to achieve them.
I have personally used goal-setting to achieve beautiful things in my life, such as
completing my degree in business management despite having financial challenges and
achieving a perfect body after a weight loss journey, among other achievements.
We all have goals; some people write them down in a spreadsheet, some people follow
through on their goals and accomplish them, whereas others give up their goals even
before they start.

What is Goal Setting?

Goal setting involves pinpointing something you want to accomplish and following rules
and objectives to achieve it. You can create long-term and short-term goals that can aid
in achieving your objectives, tracking your progress, and accomplishing your goals.
Setting goals is easy for everyone; achieving them is the biggest challenge. Many
people start with high momentum, but at some point, they lose interest, get distracted,
and become overwhelmed. To break this cycle, you need the willingness to follow
through on your goals and a good plan.
This article will walk you through several ways to set and achieve goals.

Writing your goals on a paper, journal, or book is essential. The process of writing down
your goals makes the subconscious mind work towards your set objectives. Research
has shown that 40% of goals written down are more likely to be achieved. Writing the
goals also helps in regularly reviewing them.
Writing your goals makes it easy to stick with them and not prioritize new circumstances
that may arise. Don’t just write once; write every morning to remind yourself of what you
are supposed to do every day.
Use the correct language that is specific and assured. For example, don’t write ‘learn
more skill in writing; you should write’ I will find a mentor who will help me sharpen my
skills in writing, and I will master the art of writing.’

Sharing your goals with a mentor is a proven way to achieve them. Research shows
that 70% of people who share their goals are most likely to achieve them. A mentor can
increase motivation, confidence, self-assurance, aspiration, and communication skills.
When you have a mentor, you will be able to plan and set goals and timelines.
The mentor can continuously hold you accountable and make your goals achievable.
If you don’t work in a large company with an internal mentoring scheme, it can be hard
to gain access to mentorship.
Mentoring marketplaces help connect you with mentors who can support you with
goal-setting and business advice.
You might not have a mentoring program in your company, but you can get mentoring
from older family members who have the experience or join platforms like Facebook
and Twitter, where you can get mentors. When other people are involved, we
experience faster success and results.

3. Take the first step.

Procrastination is a dream killer; it is essential to break the cycle of procrastination and
just do it; it is unnecessary to have everything in place; start and make adjustments as
you continue your journey. For example, you might have a goal of owning a house. You
may not have the whole amount to build a home, but you can start laying the foundation
and gradually continue creating when you have the money. The idea is just beginning!
When you wait for everything, you might never start; this could lead to frustration and
disappointment. Once you have made the first step, following through and
accomplishing your goals is easy.

4. Set goals that motivate you and align with your purpose

Don’t set goals to impress others or copy goals that others have accomplished; rather,
set goals that are specific to you and align with your belief system, interests, and
personality. If you find the goals you are setting for yourself don’t sit well with you, they
are most likely not good for you. Studies have shown that setting specific and high goals
can improve persistence, task performance, and motivation compared to easy goals

5. Set a deadline

It is essential to come up with a specific date to complete your goal. This helps you
follow through on your goals and accomplish them. Break large and complicated tasks
into smaller steps and arrange the best deadline for each separate step. You can put
these important dates in your computer or diary.

6. Reward yourself

Completing a specific goal is not a walk in the park; it requires a lot of planning, change
of mindset, and determination. It is essential to reward yourself after working and
achieving your goals. You should enjoy the satisfaction that comes with accomplishing a
goal. Rewards can train the subconscious mind to work on activities that can yield
results. A reward could be as simple as taking yourself to a movie or spa or vacationing
to your preferred destination. After enjoying your reward, set another more challenging
goal than the last one. This way, you can achieve a lot in life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether professional or personal, setting goals is a secret ingredient to
achieving success and finding beautiful meaning in your life. Setting goals fosters
discipline and focus towards progress and a great future. It takes determination,
consistency, and motivation to achieve your goals. If you follow the above guide, you
will certainly reach your goals. I wish you well, and may you achieve all your desired
goals.