Actualizing Goals - Power to Your Words
In the flurry of preparing for a new year, everyone goes through the same process - finding something they want to change, do better, or complete within the next year. Everyone makes that pact with themselves to adhere to their resolutions - a chance to better themselves for the rest of their life. We see the social media hashtags, the self-proclamations, the grand dreams of success, and expectations sent out into the ether of the internet. Time frames are set when the changes need to absolutely be complete and a plan made for what would happen once that prime state is fully reached.
But we often don’t take the important steps to make sure these things happen. Like actually happen - stay consistent, motivated to continue, and measure your successes. Or the time to provide your framework for an actionable plan. And oftentimes, without a planned structure - most of our dreams fall through because the stress, guilt, and frustration around failed goal completion (or perceived lack of progress) become too much.
This is normal - I have been there more times than I can count. This is why I want to share some steps and knowledge here to make sense of how we can build up our personal expectations for each day to create the framework for success. This activity of making and tracking your plan is to ensure your day-to-day actions feel less stressful, more natural, and filled with promise.
The most important takeaway from this exercise your doing is pre-planning understanding this is an investment in yourself. This is for YOU.
Actualizing goals is about ACTION. It is about BENCHMARKS. It is about DATA. This effort is about creating a baseline for success and keeping you motivated to keep achieving your changes and goals. And most importantly, this is to be as prepared as possible to get through the stresses of changes.
I walk through a lot of these tips below in a segment with Ashlinna and you can watch it here.
Identifying your goal and what it means to you. What is your motivation? Ground yourself to understand why you are making these adjustments to your life and make that your motivator. This is also something you should WANT to do, not something you feel like you HAVE to do. Societal goals are not always your goals. Shape your goal to meet your immediate needs, and it has the ability to evolve with your progress.
Take a deeper dive into your goal to start making tangible pieces you must address. What are all the steps that go into weight loss, getting a promotion, buying a house, or going on an expensive vacation? Don’t spend more than 15 minutes thinking through this part. You don’t need everything planned out to start. Get through the basics, feel good about your initial direction, and START. Don’t wait for the perfect time - you can add and change things later.
Timebox yourself! Your plans should have an endpoint so you know what makes you feel the pressure to stick with it yet provides time to see results. I advocate for 3 months to really see results - especially if about finances or health/fitness stuff. It takes time to make habits AND to see changes - be lenient with your expectations of the time. You are changing and the discipline of patience is your best/most powerful tool.
Creating a plan for what you will do for each day, each month, and each quarter. A week is a too much time to wiggle around your responsibilities and provides more opportunities to fail. Pick something to do each day for your overall goal. Dedicate a time of the day or a set time of the day to achieve the task you picked for your goal. This could be even 15 minutes of time towards something - SOMETHING is better than nothing and you can absolutely start small.
Check-ins at the end of each month (and celebrations). This is where you evaluate your progress, consult your data, and adjust your goals. Make the adjustments you need to improve your progress and reward yourself! Clothes, food, new accessories, a new video game, a date night to your favorite restaurant, or any other activity that emphasizes “you did so much and here is your prize”!
Measure what matters to YOU. Does everything you are doing actually serve your goals? If you’re feeling less motivated or maybe you’re 5 months in and you’re starting to plateau - add something else as a supplemental goal. Also, if something doesn’t serve you anymore - ditch it and find a new one that can stick with your same progress.
Write. Everything. Down. You need proof for your bad days that you rocked it before. You need data to know what works and what doesn’t. You need that arsenal of complete AWESOMENESS as proof you have accomplished so much, so far to fortify your brain against those bad days. This record is for you to feel you are doing better - because you are. And if you’re not where you want to be - you have the tools to change your direction and thrive. (i.e. take a look at Passion Planner)
One failed day does not mean a failed plan. Shit happens. We know you can’t be healthy 100% of the time, you need rest or time to heal. This is normal and no one can stay 100% dedicated every single day. And this is my permission slip to your brain - that you can have a day off! You can take a weekend! You can be on vacation and do NOTHING for your goal and that is fine. When you are ready to come back - your progress will be there too. You got this!!
Understand when you may need outside help. Never be afraid to consult with therapists, doctors, dietitians, personal trainers, accountants, financial consultants, managers, or any other professional to receive help, guidance, or firm up your plans. You are doing an amazing job by yourself, and those resources exist to make your life EASIER. If you are feeling stuck, you are not a failure. You might just need a professional opinion to help you along and support your changes.
You change, and so can your goals midway through your journey. One of my favorite things I said on Ashlinaa’s channel during a chat about this was “While you have the freedom to make and change your goals, you have to have the discipline to stick to a plan in enough to have proof.” This is the mindset you should have - stay dedicated to something that serves you and has the ability to adjust when something no longer does what you expect anymore.
Now this will feel redundant because it is very similar to my other article about weight loss. Because my plan that I did actualize WAS weight loss. Give yourself the time and the tools to succeed in your endeavors and to feel GREAT when it comes time to add more to your adventurous life. This includes creating a plan, understanding your own limits/wants, and investing time in yourself.
This is your self-investment. This is your down payment.
You are worth every ounce of pre-planning. Worth every step past frustrations. Worth every calibration and refocus. Worth every second of trying to be who you want to be.
You do your best every day and this is the structure to ensure you CAN do more if you want.
You are powerful enough now to change anything.
