You’ve hit the half-way mark for the year and it hasn’t sunk in yet.
If it feels surreal, you’re not alone. The weeks have zipped past so rapidly yet quietly.
That’s the beauty of time. The more you’re engaged, the faster it moves.
Mid-year is the perfect time to take stock of milestones, realign your focus, and reignite your drive. Time for a quick review of the goals you’ve set a few months ago to make this ‘the year’ for living the dream.
That aspiration for achieving your desired goals is essential. But it won’t just happen unless you’ve a game plan.
Setting goals gives you a clear picture of what you want, or where you want to reach.
They need motivation and commitment, which will gradually begin to lose steam with every passing day.
Staying committed is non-negotiable when it comes to achieving your goals.
How do you do it? These 5 strategies are exactly what will assist you to stay on track, not lose sight of the goals that matter to you.
1. Set Soul-Aligned Goals That Stick
If it doesn’t come from within, it won’t last when things get tough.
Be clear about what you want. Be ruthlessly honest to yourself.
Your goals must be compatible to your aspirations, not those of others. Ask yourself if you’d still want this if no one applauded you.
If you get influenced by others, or let them decide your goals, or do it to impress others, believe me you’ve already set yourself up for failure (or at least derailment).
Do it for yourself. Stop listening to others. Hear them out but do what you feel is right. Because only you know what your heart desires.
Plan how you want to fulfil your dreams.
2. Avoid Toxic Energy
This is an energy sapper. Say your goal out loud and there will be more naysayers than well-wishers.
If you listen to them, you’ll never be able to move a step forward.
Avoid negative people and environments and even doom scrolling (that too can drain you off positive energy). Like your algorithms, build your circle with who you want to follow; unfollow people who drain your energy.
Focus on what empowers you build a stronger mindset.
Consciously practice selective attention. You choose what you want to focus on, where you want to invest your time and energy.
Follow those people who add to your knowledge, give valuable tips to reach your dream.
Stephen Covey’s 90/10 Principle clearly states: “10% of life is made up of what happens to you, and 90% is how you react.”
So if you see anything toxic, be it ideas, vibes, people, feeds, or surroundings, just step away.
Protect your energy and channelize it towards growth.
3. Make It Bite-Sized To Make It Happen
Progress feels less overwhelming when you focus on one piece at a time.
Set the one big goal and follow it with smaller goals that lead to the final goal.
Going from zero to 10 in one big jump is only for superheroes onscreen. You’ll burnout faster before your realise. For you and me, it’s one step at a time.
Breaking the goal into smaller tasks makes it less intimidating and more doable. It no longer looks impossible to accomplish.
Rework or reframe your goal. Include a set of smaller but related goals that guide you effortlessly to the final goal.
If the present format seems unsuitable, change the strategy, redo the approach.
You have to reach the goals so follow a path suitable to you.
4. Choose – Organise Or Agonise?
When in doubt, revisit your original plan. Clarity reduces chaos.
This is often where you’ll find yourself lacking; a part of your life often ignored.
Doesn’t matter what you do, you’ll feel like you’re getting sucked deeper and deeper into a swamp if you don’t organise your work.
It’s like wandering through the maze, reaching dead-ends, tracing yours steps back and restarting only to be lost again.
Like it or not, organising your work is the missing link between intention and action.
Spend a little time, or a lot of it, to organise your work, plan your steps, and frame your strategy. It’s crucial for your success.
Use tools like Google Docs or Notion or Evernote, or just a plain old organiser. Don’t overcomplicate. Clarity cuts chaos.
Do a 10-minute reset on Sunday to review and prepare for the week ahead.
5. Find an Accountability Partner
Having someone in your corner can double your drive.
We all need that one person who won’t hesitate telling the hard truth. Make sure you’ve such a person as your accountability partner.
In case you’re feeling lost or low, they’re the ones who will kick you back into action.
They’ll cheer you when you win. They’ll call out your excuses. They’ll fire up your momentum when it’s waning.
Studies show people are 65% more likely to reach a goal when they share it someone who regularly checks in with them.
Don’t take this lightly. It’s essential, actually crucial, for you to be on your track and not lose focus. And in their own ways, they’ll be the ones to keep you moving.
Final Thought: Hold On Tight
“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally. It comes from what you do consistently.” – Marie Forleo
If only achieving goals was a cakewalk, we would all be living the dream.
The harsh reality is you’ve to work for your goals with single minded focus.
Staying committed to your goal can be tough, but not impossible.
You can’t plant a dream and forget it; it needs watering, weeding and patience. Your discipline, clarity and consistency work in tandem with motivation to assist you to reach your cool.
It starts with one step, one plan and one partner who holds you accountable.
This is the only way for you to see your dreams unfold and become reality.
Here’s your mid-year challenge: Review your top 3 goals, pick one, and apply these 5 strategies to it over the next 10 days.
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