When we imagine what we want to achieve, we tend to keep things vague. When we create goals that are not concrete, we give ourselves wiggle room for failure. It is easy to put off a vague goal until tomorrow. Without focus, we can end up losing our motivation and never reaching the level of success we want. When motivating yourself to begin the journey toward your goals, it is helpful to take some time to sit down and outline on paper exactly what your result will be.
See what it takes to be successful
Sometimes, we have the best intentions of reaching our goals, but end up veering off track when we discover we are not sure exactly how to do so. Someone who wants to lose weight but does not know how to eat healthily or exercise right is not going to have much success.
Before taking the first step on your journey, do your research. Read books, search the internet, even follow the story of someone who completed your goal before you. This will help you see exactly what you need to do to have success too. Well-rounded knowledge about the journey you are about to take will help you be better prepared for the ups and downs that lie ahead.
Think about if you should tell
Some people thrive on meeting the expectations of their peers. Others, dislike the thought that if they fail, someone might know. Friends and loved ones can be an incredibly helpful tool when it comes to reaching our goals. They can cheer us along the way or give us support when we want to give up. But keep in mind that sometimes, the people we surround ourselves with can make us fall victim to peer pressure or obligation too.
When you set out to reach your goals, give yourself permission to share your journey with others, or keep it to yourself. There is no right or wrong way here. To decide which type of inspiration you need, think about if other people are a motivating tool for you, or if they are simply a distraction.
Surround yourself with ‘Can Do’ attitude
Keeping a positive mindset is key when it comes to finding motivation and celebrating the success that comes with hard work. Inspiring books, podcasts, videos, and quotes can all do the trick when it comes to putting our minds in the zone for success. Many people find it helpful to work with a mentor or follow the blog of someone who is working toward or has achieved a similar goal as well.
Only you can decide what type of positivity works for you. Think about how you learn and what type of personality or messages speak to you. There is no shortage of motivational and uplifting material out there; it is simply a matter of creating a library that connects to you.
Have a plan for setbacks
No matter how much success motivation we have, it is important to remember that setbacks can always happen. Sometimes they happen due to situations outside of our control, like the person who has trouble losing weight due to a health condition. Other times, setbacks are the result of us falling off track.
The key to overcoming setbacks is accepting they might happen and developing a plan for when they do. Knowing the steps you can take when everything is not going to plan, will help you keep your end-goal in sight and let you avoid beating yourself up over any missteps along the way.
Celebrate your progress
Success does not have one clear beginning and end. Although you will have a final point in mind where you consider your goal met, it is important to recognize the small achievements you have all along your journey.
Celebrating progress along the way will help your motivation continue. Knowing that you are one step further will remind you that your goal is closer than it was the day before. You do not always need to spend money on a reward, or even do anything special. But, whatever you choose as your prize should both push you to continue your journey and celebrate all the hard work you have put in so far.
Allow yourself to be distracted
Sometimes when we set goals, we become overly focused on what will happen in the end. We can get so nearsighted that we forget about other obligations.
Just because you have a goal in mind, it does not mean you must keep your eye on the prize 24/7. There are times it is okay to put your progress on hold and pick up your journey after a brief rest. Remember that motivation and success, all have their place on the journey of reaching our goals, but they are not the only things that matter. You must take care of your mind, body, and spirit along the way, and will need to meet your needs in those areas too.
Avoid all or nothing thinking
All or nothing thinking plagues us even when we are not trying to chase our dreams. We tend to see things regarding black or white all the time, but it can be dangerous to our physical and mental health when we apply it to our goals. When we resort to all or nothing thinking, we tell ourselves that everything short of success is a failure. This type of thinking ignores the complicated journey we all must follow to reach our goals and can create a pattern of negative self-talk.
To avoid all or nothing thinking, be mindful of the things you accomplish along the way. If it is helpful, write a list of everything you have done to help yourself reach your goal (including thoughts and actions).
Go beyond the planning stages for success
Achievement motivation and success are easy things to pursue when they only exist in our minds (or on paper). The real journey starts when we put these ideas into practice. Although these tips give you an idea of where to start, what you can achieve, and how you will achieve it is a matter of what you do next.
Do not tell yourself that you can start your journey tomorrow. Do not wait for next Monday, or after the holidays. You have everything you need right now to make your dream a reality, even if you need to get creative to find it.
Although we all have different goals, the path to reaching them looks very similar, and while no one size fits all when it comes to what we set out to do, these tips can help you find your footing on the first step. Remember, only you know what it will take to find motivation and success so do not be afraid to look within for the remainder of your journey.
For more information, visit Betterhelp.com
