Blogging101: How to achieve your goals

Inspired by images of vision boards on Carrots with Cookies and Kids, Pigs and Positive Posts, memories of a workshop I went to called ‘Goal! Practical Masterclass in Achieving Your Goals’ came flooding back.

It seemed like fate when I won tickets, because I was teetering on the edge of a big decision. Hosted by Cherry Healey and run by Now Live Events and Psychologies magazine, they mentioned the vision board idea and it was so positive; I hope others find it as useful as I did.

Successful goal-setting
We’re more likely to do the thing we expect to succeed in. Bear in mind things can take 4x longer than you think! So be realistic, make the goals smaller.

We’re more likely to succeed with an implementation strategy. Don’t be vague – detail what and when. Keep promises to yourself, you’ll have evidence to prevent any self-loathing or lack of self-belief, because you are proving it is happening.

Don’t give in to feel good in the short term. Visualise your goal, imagine what it feels like to achieve it in the long term so you have something to go to instead of short term satisfaction.

Task: Write a 30 day action plan
Task: Jot down 10 baby steps you can carry out in the next 24 hours towards your goal

Why we fail
There are 4 categories of sabotage:
1. Starting and not finishing
2. Perfectionism
3. Responsibility avoidance
4. Adrenaline addiction

Task: Write down what holds you back
For example, fear of failure or lack of belief – the important thing is to identify what it is.

Task: How do you know you’re feeling fear?
Are there any physical or mental indicators? For instance, a skin break out, insomnia, do you just avoid the task altogether or panic?

Commit to your goals
Use thought as an antidote for fear; look at it realistically and believe in yourself.

Task: Write down your feelings or the problem, and put an action plan next to it.
Learn to challenge it and make sure the plan addresses it.

Task: Ask yourself what’s the worst that can happen?
Belittle the fear and rationalise it in the grand scheme of things.

Task: Write down and regularly tell yourself 3 positive affirmations.
Be aware of and change your inner dialogue – negative self-talk is corrosive over time. Try:
• I’ve done it before and I can do it again
• I have a wall of evidence (e.g pieces of work, completed mini-goal check lists)
• It will make my life better

Keystone Habits
These are habits which once developed, roll over into and improve other areas of your life too. Charles Duhigg’s book ‘The Power of Habit’ is cited everywhere – so much so I think I might get a copy myself! Keystone habits were used successfully by Michael Phelps in the 2008 Olympics.

Tools to reach your goals

• Imagine not achieving your goal and realise there is time to rectify it
• Eat that frog! That is, tackle the most important task of your day – the one you are most likely to procrastinate on
• Change your state (e.g. improve your mood by listening to a favourite song)
• Use persuasion and reward
• Have a power hour – set the timer and go
• Look at the root cause, if it is emotional try to self-soothe
• Write a small tick list
• Try reverse psychology – be sarcastic with yourself
• Preceding action to make the action itself easier (e.g. sleep in that gym kit so you are ready for your dawn run)
• Visualise your actions and success. These might be more immediate, or for longer term goals, try visualising meeting your future self and asking questions
• Try writing things down in the past tense, as though they have already happened.

The vision board/ dream board: the tool that inspired this post

1. The best way to do this is to divide a scrapbook page, canvas, cork board or big piece of card into sections that you want to work on. For example home, health, career, family, friends or leisure.
2. Gather and print images from your own photos, online (browse Pinterest if you need inspiration), magazine cuttings and newspaper clippings.
3. Edit them down – you will definitely have too many! Aim for 4 or 5 goals in each section, and highlight 1 or 2 as the most important to work on now.
4. Stick them on your board and display it somewhere you will see it every day – it’s your constant reminder of what you’re aiming for.

I wrote this as part of my Blogging101 challenge – today’s was to be inspired by the community. Hopefully the community will be inspired by this post too!