3 Simple Ways To Achieve Your 2019 Goals

Everyone looks at the new year with anticipation of achieving great goals.  I often have every intention of sincerely following my New Year's Resolutions only to have broken every one of them by January 14th!  Anyone else have the same experience? While we may have the very best intentions when we set goals, we can often pluck them out of thin air, they can be horribly vague, and they don’t really inspire us in any way. The goal of ‘losing weight’ is admirable but what does it actually mean? Do you want to shift belly fat, tone up, get fit for the summer, or train for a marathon? By being more specific and looking to the future with our goal in mind, we have more chance of sticking to it. Take a look at these three simple ways you can maximize your chances of goal success.

1.  Get The Pros and Your Tribe On Board
People actually make a living out of helping people achieve the goals they set themselves. Professional coaches and lifestyle gurus come armed with strategies, morale boosting words and support to help you achieve a promotion, succeed in fulfilling your travel dreams or help you to overcome a phobia. Whatever your goal is, there are plenty of blogs to follow that can help inspire you on your path to glory (and we hope you will keep Polished Professionals blog on your list too!) 

And no matter what you don't have to achieve your goals on your own!  Where is your tribe to support you? Have you found online groups? I promise there is a group for every goal you have! For example, you don’t have to be spending thousands of dollars for a personal trainer to help you get fit. Instead utilize social media, follow online diet plans (my go to is MyPlate App and it's FREE!) and look into the infographics on Instagram or Pinterest, detailing how to shift your muffin top to a six pack. Our Polished Professionals Pinterest page is full of recipes or workouts if you want to start there!  There are tons of people who have focused intently on the goal you are trying to achieve. I say find those experts and find those still on the journey to go with you.  Be inspired by success stories with one eye on becoming one yourself!

2.  Set A Time Scale
It’s vital that there is a time scale for your goals so you can hold yourself accountable. For example  if you want to run a marathon, get a firm race date and set your schedule from that.  I find if I pay the money for something up front I make sure to do whatever it takes to finish that task!  If you need to combat your fear of flying, ensure that you have manageable steps to complete over a few months so you can chart your progress.  To secure that promotion at work, start taking on extra responsibility, complete that much needed extra qualification and start networking so you are ready by the time your next review comes up.  By simply licking a finger and sticking it into the air, your metaphorical goal setting will turn into nothing.  By implementing a structure and a plan, you can physically see and feel the progress you are making.

3.  Find Your Mojo
Finding your motivation is important if you are to succeed in achieving your goals. Just because you want a new job overseas doesn’t mean one will simply fall into your lap. You need to find the impetus to be proactive and seek out opportunities. There may be times where the world seems against you, you may face rejection, and your goal may seem unattainable. However, by maintaining your motivation, and keeping your end goal in sight, you can continue to work towards your ambitions. Tell others about your plans so they can gee you up when you need a morale boost. I know this week I needed to tell my friends what was scaring me about my goals and amazingly they jumped in with ideas and plans that it would have taken me months to figure out on my own if I had not shared these goals.  

Sticking to your plans and finding the commitment to achieve your goals can be tough. However, in the long run, your hard work, efforts, and determination will be handsomely rewarded as you fulfill your ambitions!  What are your best tips to staying on top of your goals? Tell us in the comments!