Introduction

This year, you’re going big on the resolutions. You’ll hit the gym every day, declutter every room in your house, and tackle that towering stack of unread books. You’re pumped and ready to go. It’s happening, people!

Fast forward six months. Your unused gym card is giving you the stink eye. The interior of your house could win a starring role in a Hollywood disaster movie. Your unread books have multiplied like wet gremlins and have taken over your entire den. You’re just done. No more goals because, well, what’s the point?

If that sounds familiar, you’re in good company. According to U.S. News and World Report, about 80% of New Year's resolutions fail. Talk about a depressing statistic!

It’s easy to blame ourselves for not reaching our goals. But the fact is that most resolutions fail because there’s a problem with the resolution itself. By taking on a goal that’s too ambitious, vague, or unrealistic, we’re setting ourselves up for likely failure from the start. A little time spent on choosing the best goals for your life and a practical implementation plan can make all the difference.

If by this time, you’re thinking, “Nope, I’m out. That sounds boring and a lot of work,” don’t worry! Here are 10 steps that won’t take much time but can help lay out a roadmap for success.

How to Achieve Your Goals

1. Choose a Goal That Matters to You

Which is more likely to get you out of your warm bed and to the gym on a chilly December morning? : “My doctor said I have to lose weight” OR “I want to lose weight before my high school reunion.”

Intentions that lead with “I should,” “I need to,” or “I have to” imply an external motivation. They can still work, especially in the short term. But let’s be honest - having someone tell you what to do, even if it’s for your own good, is not much fun. That’s why these types of goals can be challenging to sustain over time. The more successful goals are those that come from your own mind and heart.

When deciding on a goal, dig deeper into why it matters to you. How does it connect to your values? How will your life change if you accomplish it? Imagine yourself having achieved your goal. How do you feel? That personal connection is what will keep you motivated.

2. Make it Specific and Measurable

Ask yourself how and when you’ll know you’ve achieved your goal. If you decide to save money, what does that mean exactly? “I want to save $800 for my Hawaiian vacation” is a better, more concrete goal. In the same way, “I want to eat healthier” can be refined to “I will include at least one vegetable in every meal.” Or “I will log in 2,000 more steps daily” is an improvement over “I want to walk more.”

3. Break it Down into Smaller Steps

When setting goals, it’s tempting to be overly ambitious and bite off more than you can chew. Instead, break your goal down into bite-sized pieces. For example, if your goal is to allocate $800 for your Hawaiian trip, examine your budget and decide to save $100 each month. If you’d like to eventually lose 25 pounds, start with a goal of 5 pounds.

4. Make it Time-Limited

Like vague goals, open-ended goals can leave us meandering. Deadlines are great tools because they provide structure and help prevent procrastination.

Just be sure your deadline is appropriate for your goal. Losing 5 pounds in a month might be feasible, but not in a week.

5. Write it Down

A simple but powerful strategy is to use reminders like sticky notes. Jot down your goal, and then leave the sticky in plain sight. Every time you see that “I will walk for 20 minutes, three times a week” affirmation, it’ll motivate you. It’s like having your own personal coach right there on your fridge!

6. Track Your Progress

Like those written reminders, keeping a tangible record of your progress in a notebook or daily planner helps reinforce your goals. For those who prefer digital tracking, there are apps available, such as:

Habit-tracking apps: Streaks, HabitNow, Habitica

Budgeting apps: You Need a Budget (YNAB), Monarch, or Simplifi to track financial goals.

Fitness apps: MyFitnessPal and Nike Training Club to track workouts, meals, and even hydration.

7. Be Realistic

Reaching for the stars might feel inspiring, but reality is a much more grounded compass. Reflect on your commitments, health, energy, and time honestly and without judgment. Ask yourself, “Can I make this work in my current situation?” If the answer is no, tweak your goal.

Life can be challenging; sometimes, what we want might be beyond our means. Remember to be proud of yourself, regardless of the size of your goal. Deciding to change your life for the better takes courage.

8. Have an Accountability Buddy

Ask someone you trust to help you stay on course. Just make sure you’re clear about their role. How often will you check in with them? Do you prefer encouragement or tough love if you slack off? You can also offer to return the accountability favor if they have their own goals. Win-win!

Another option is to join a support group. There’s power in a group of people striving for the same goal. Support groups come in all shapes and sizes, from online venues to in-person meetings and even social media groups. These folks can offer advice, encouragement, and ideas you might not have considered.

9. Consider Obstacles

Make a list of anything that might interfere with your goal. Your work schedule and long commute might impact your daily exercise plan. Family obligations might make it challenging to write for two hours every day. Replacing the old roof could make saving that $100 each month difficult.

And if unexpected roadblocks pop up, that’s okay. Life happens, right? Don’t give up – just make the adjustments you need to get back on track (or, depending on the circumstances, towards your new goal.) The important part is to stick with it.

10. Reward Yourself Along the Way

Don’t wait until you reach your end goal to celebrate! Choose some goalposts to serve as wins along the way. Reward yourself with a new book. Indulge in your favorite TV show or hobby guilt-free. Grab a latte at that cool coffee shop. Just make sure the reward doesn’t derail your goal. You’ve already come this far.

Conclusion

Reaching your goals doesn’t have to be an onerous process. Lasting change often starts quietly and slowly, one small step at a time. By setting intentions with align with your values and keeping the process simple, you can create momentum that snowballs into lasting change. Just keep moving forward and keep your gaze fixed on where you want to go. Before you know it, you’ll be there.

Master Goal-Setting: Powerful Strategies That Will Transform Your Life