How to Reach Your Goals and Be the Person You Want to Be

The new year is generally the time a lot of people make resolutions for things they want to achieve the following year.

I’ve never really been one to make New Year’s resolutions. I used to on occasion, but the majority of them I never even came close to accomplishing. I think until you get into the right mindset to make the changes you need to, to make your goals a reality, setting these goals are kind of pointless.

We can start with good intentions, but it isn’t always the easiest to keep it going. Especially if you are lacking motivation.

I like to try to make it more of a whole year thing. Any day can be the day your life changes for the better if you are willing to do what you need to, to make it happen.

The mistakes with a lot of goals is aiming too high, not having a plan of how you will achieve what you set out to do, or being too vague about what you want.

It’s easy to say you want to lose weight, have more money, be happier, not let your anxiety get the better of you, get out of your comfort zone or whatever crosses your mind. But if you don’t have a plan in mind of how you hope to achieve that, chances are it just isn’t going to happen, and it will just make you unhappy and disappointed with your life.

And then what’s the point?

Because when the new year rolls around again and you haven’t achieved anything from the prior year it can be frustrating and have you feeling like you are in exactly the same place you were a year ago.

So how can you make those things you want from life into a reality? Is it possible to achieve your goals and be the person you want to be?

How to reach your goals

Write your goals down

Put it on paper and stick it on the fridge or somewhere you will see it everyday. It’s easy for the mind to get cluttered and your goal gets pushed to the back somewhere. You want to be reminded of it daily.

Be specific

Making a concrete goal is important. If you want to lose weight, how much by when? What is it going to take to do that? If you want to be happier, what things make you happy? What do you enjoy? Maybe start by doing something you enjoy each day or week. Know exactly what you want and go for it!

It has to be achievable

It’s no good making a goal that is just never going to happen. It’s just going to end in disappointment and you will be discouraged from trying things again. Is there something similar or more attainable that still appeals to you? Sometimes something close enough to your dreams can be just as satisfying. It doesn’t have to be perfect.

Break it up into smaller, more manageable goals

You can have your end goal as high as you want, as long as you realise that it won’t happen overnight. Have small steps in place towards it, and celebrate each milestone that brings you that step closer.

Is has to be relevant

How important is it to you? If it’s something that you would like, but it isn’t that important to you, you aren’t going to be as committed to achieving it.

Is it achievable in the time you have?

If you have set yourself a time limit to have achieved by, whether it’s a few weeks, months or the following year, is it something that is possible to do in that time?

Are they goals that you want?

Don’t make goals to please others. Often we do it without even realising. We feel like it’s expected of us. Or it’s what we should be doing. Sometimes people have the best intentions, but we do things with the aim of making them happy, not ourselves. It’s okay to be selfish sometimes. A life spent doing things for others will not be a happy one. Your goals should be all about you, and how to be the person you want to be, not who they want you to be.

Realise that there will likely be hiccups along the way

It is inevitable that at times there will be setbacks or something that will get in the way. Don’t let it stop you from getting to where you want to be. Knock it over and keep going. If you really want it, you will find a way. Stay positive. Give yourself a bit of time if you have to, but make sure you get back onto it as soon as you can or when you feel ready to. 

Things to consider when making your goals

Make sure the goals you set for yourself are goals that you want.

Your goals or resolutions are just about you. You can’t change what other people do or think, or what they think about you.

Don’t base your happiness on what others want or expect

You don’t have to wait for New Year’s to create new goals and aim to be the best you, you can be. Any day, any time, whenever you are ready to give it your all.

Keep a notebook and add to it throughout the year. List your accomplishments and your next point of action.

Setting goals is a great way of achieving what you want out of life and becoming closer to the person you want to be.

What goals and aspirations have you set for yourself?