Goals. We love them; we hate them; we almost never ever follow them. In fact, studies show that 92% of people never see their New Year’s Resolutions achieved (Roomer). Why is that the case? We often make goals in hopes that we follow them in order to see a better version of ourselves. By not following the goals, we are basically rejecting improvement and self-growth. Yet despite this, people fail to pursue and achieve their goals. The result is just an empty promise to oneself and no growth as a person. It does not have to be this way however. Goals, if created correctly and followed in a strategic way, can be easy to commit to and eventually achieved. Here are two tips to create better goals and to follow them in the best way possible
- Make reasonable goals
Setting a goal is easy; making a good one is harder
Goals are a great way to have a reference for what you want your future to look like and if followed, offer an exceptional path to self-growth and happiness. The issue is that there are bad goals, and many fall victim to creating them.
Goals one makes should be reasonable and not so extreme to the point where it seems like an impossible dream. For example, one should not desire to run a marathon within the next month if they have not started preparing at all. They should also be as specific as possible, making it clear as to what must be done. For example, creating a goal to earn all As in the next school year is simply too broad, and does not give any ideas as to what actions must be taken. A better goal would be to commit two hours every day to homework and studying to obtain all As.
Deadlines are also important for many goals. Without it, some goals merely turn into a dream. One cannot desire just to go outside more as there is no real essence of time within the goal. Instead, a goal of going outside 30 minutes everyday to walk is much better.
- Follow the 2-minute rule
Looking at goals is easy; following them is harder
Even with the goal of studying 2 hours everyday or going outside 30 minutes everyday, one may not have the motivation to get over the hurdle of actually doing it. Goals have no purpose and are just words if they are not actually followed.
To make a goal as easy as possible to do, simplify the start of the goal into something that can be completed within 2 minutes. This will make achieving the goal basically as part of a daily routine, making it extremely likely that the goal will come to fruition. With the school example, this may be simply solving one question or reviewing one term. With the walking example, this may be simply putting one’s shoes on. It is certainly easy to put on the shoes, but the importance is that this is a “‘gateway habit’ that naturally leads you down a more productive path” (Clear).
Sure, these may seem silly, but the significance is that the goal was actually started. With the completion of this tiny goal, the chance of continuing further is extremely high; this 2-minute simplification is so easy that once finished, might as well continue until the end. And even if the motivation is lost after, the two minutes is better than nothing; one term studying over a period of time is better than never studying at all.
With these two tips in mind, it should slowly become easier to create and follow goals, which is ultimately immensely valuable.
Written By: Willy Do, Mental H2O Youth Resource Writer
Sources:
https://jamesclear.com/how-to-stop-procrastinating
