Keeping goals realistic is keeping goals that you can effectively reach, and while this may sound simple enough, it’s something that we all seem to struggle with from time to time. It is estimated that up to 80% of New Year’s resolutions are abandoned by the end of February, and do you know why this is? The goals put in place were not realistic enough to seem reachable or provide the right sort of motivation. So, how can you set realistic goals? The method is actually quite simple.
First, you’ll want to write your goals down, your general or “bigger” goals, as well as your smaller goals it’ll take you to get there. Don’t focus on the big stuff just yet, look at that as the reward sitting on the top of a long staircase, and instead look at the individual steps. By focusing on one step, then the next step, then the next step, you’ll be hitting all of the smaller goals, and more immediately reachable goals, you need to in order to provide motivation and work your way up to the top.
Next, when you reach these smaller goals or milestones, take time to celebrate. You did well, and you deserve a reward, and it’s these rewards that can serve to motivate you to push even harder for the next one. Whether it’s a day off, a shopping trip, a good meal, or anything that makes you happy, a little treat for reaching your milestones serves as some really excellent motivation!
Lastly, you’ll want to remember to be flexible, and realize that circumstances could cause goals to change or develop differently than you may have had in mind. Staying rigid with your goals is setting yourself up for a perceived failure, when in truth, you could have prevailed by simply allowing your goals to adapt how they needed to. When goals change, you may even have to work at new milestones, but this is something that should never discourage you.
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