Five Steps to Achieving Any Goal
Most people set big goals and resolutions as one year ends and another begins, but few of those actually achieve their goals.
At ERA Fit we are passionate about goal setting, and are professionals at making other people’s dreams come true. The tips shared below are the goal-achieving habits that Eric Richard Allen, our CEO and Founder, uses to meet all of his own goals.
STEP ONE – Read ‘Awakening the Giant Within’
This book changed Eric’s life. It serves as a powerful message and reminder that you have control over your own life. It teaches the reader how to take immediate control of their mental, emotional, physical and financial life.
“It’s not what’s happening to you now or what has happened in your past that determines who you become. Rather, it’s your decisions about what to focus on, what things mean to you, and what you’re going to do about them that will determine your ultimate destiny.”
Tony Robbins
STEP TWO – Write Your Goals Dow
The first step to being accountable to your goals is knowing exactly what they are. Writing your goals down helps to bring them into the here and now, solidifying them and setting your intentions.
Whatever your goals may be, whether they are to do with your relationships, body and health, work, home or anything else, they need to be S.M.A.R.T:
- Specific – this helps you to know how and where to get started. So, rather than saying “I want to lose weight”, you should be saying specifically how much weight that you are looking to lose.
- Measurable – that specific goal must be something that you can measure in some way. So, if the goal was, as above, to lose weight then your measuring method would be to simply step on a scale.
- Actionable – is it a goal that you can action and take steps towards completing? And, what action will you be taking? If the goal is to lose weight, what actions could get you there?
- Realistic – your goals should be things that are realistic, so start small if you have to. Choosing goals that are realistic is crucial to avoid overwhelm and stress in trying to reach them.
- Timebound – this plays into the idea of your goal being realistic and specific, by what date do you expect to achieve this goal? How often will you measure its success? How often will you take action? This helps us to stay focused and motivated and gives us something to work towards.
STEP THREE – Have an Accountability Partner
An accountability partner is someone that you can rely on to push you on those days when you lack motivation, to be your cheerleader and support network as you work hard to achieve whichever goals you have set for yourself.
This person could be a friend, family member or a paid professional like a Life Coach or Personal Trainer. You are much less likely to achieve your goals without someone fighting in your corner.
If your goals are of the health and fitness variety, working with a professional who is an expert in achieving those goals is the best kind of accountability partner. At ERA Fit we offer FREE Consultations to give you the chance to see for yourself if we are the best fit for you and your goals.
STEP FOUR – Daily Touches with Your Goals
Thinking about your goals and checking in with them daily will help you to stay focused on achieving them. A great way of doing this is simply by reading the goals, perhaps out loud, each morning.
This can also be combined with practising Daily Affirmations, which are powerful positive statements aimed at directing your mind to better thinking patterns, and altering emotions, beliefs and behaviour. Practising Daily Affirmations has been found to motivate action, boost confidence and keep your mind focused (incredibly important for achieving goals).
Some examples of Daily Affirmations could be:
- I am worthy of what I desire.
- I am in charge of my life.
- I can handle anything that comes my way.
- I have all of the strength and confidence within me that I need to succeed.
Make your affirmations as specific to your goals, link them to yourself personally and the goals you are trying to achieve.
STEP FIVE – Complete Quarterly Reviews
During quarterly reviews it is important to be realistic with what is working and what isn’t, in relation to getting closer to achieving your goals. There may have been unpredictable events that have affected your progress, and it is important to note these factors and acknowledge them too when working out how to get back on track.
You could complete your quarterly review alone, or with your accountability partner. Either way, when resetting your goals during the reviews it is important to check in with your accountability partner so that they can also adjust their motivational methods.
Are you ready to get started? If any of the above seems daunting, if you’ve begun working towards your goals but are struggling, if you need an accountability partner who will push you to not just achieve your goals, but surpass them – then get in touch.
And remember –
“Failure to prepare, is preparing to fail.”