The main reason people don’t reach their goals is that they don’t define them – Denis Watley
How are you going with achieving the goals you set for 2014? Is it time for a quick check to see if you are on track?
Goals go hand in hand with motivation. Setting long and short term goals help keep you moving and gives you the direction where as motivation gives you the energy. Goals and objectives both involve forward motion. You define a destination so tactics can be developed to enable you to get there. A goal define the big picture, the destination. Objectives are about the tactics, the action plans, the method to accomplish the goal.
Here is an action plan to help you move forward and achieve your goals:
- Define it – Identify and clarify what you are aiming for then focus on the specific tangible targets you want.
- Want it – does the goal align with your values?
- Write down your goals – this forces you to clarify what you want
- Believe it – Be realistic about what you want to achieve
- Set a deadline for your goal
- Split it up – Make an action plan- break the goal down into actionable steps
- Take action -without action, nothing you want will get done. Make sure you have clear processes in place to enable the goal to be achieved
- Track and review your progress daily, weekly, monthly or whatever is applicable to you. Make your goal measurable. You want to make sure you have the option to track your progress so you know you are on a path to success. This will give you the motivation to keep going.
- Stay focused and don’t give up
There are a number of applications to assist with planning and tracking goals and depending on your goals and preferred way of working, one of these might suit you. Most are free so you can sign up, set a goal or two and see if the settings suit your needs.
Like the name says, this is a to-do-list online tool but it has numerous ways you can access and update your lists including through Outlook, Mac, Google Chrome, Firefox and Gmail. You can collaborate and share tasks and access your lists anywhere on mobile devices, browsers, email and more. There is a great free version but you can also upgrade with a paid subscription https://todoist.com/compareVersions
This is a free habit building app available in iTunes. Simply list the goal and everyday the app will ask you yes or no if you have worked on this goal. You can view a graph of how well you are doing to help motivate you and keep you on track.
Available for freeing iTunes, this is a simple app for you to note down you goals then keep track and cheek them off. It is clean looking design and is probably best suited as a task list with its simple to set up notification reminders
You can create and track you goals, measure and plot your progress on graphs, log your progress with daily or weekly journals, set reminders, share your goals with friends for encouragement and support and manage to-do lists. There is a free account as well as a paid version and you can trial the paid version for 15 days.
This is a tool for setting and tracking goals. It seems simple to navigate. You can sign in with Twitter or Facebook. There are free and paid accounts.
This is more for to-do lists and short-term goals. Although this doesn’t track your progress, it is a good way to remind yourself that there are tasks to be done.
This is a web-based solution for setting and tracking goals. It asks for you to break your goal down using S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time Bound) criteria. You can use Facebook or Google accounts to sign.
Set your goals and create task lists. This planner was inspired by “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey.
This is a goal accomplishing tool based on a method used by Jerry Seinfield. It is simply a visual reminder to keep you motivated by the desire to not break the chain. You mark off days for doing something towards your goal. (also available in iTunes)
Pen and paper
Although I like using technology and try to keep my desk clutter free, the significance of pen and paper cannot be forgotten especially to brainstorm ideas and plan. Even a sticker chart on the fridge or noticeboard would be a constant visual daily reminder of your progress. You could also consider keeping a progress diary where you write in a daily sentence to highlight what you did towards achieving your goals.
Finally
- It is important to keep track of your goals so that time doesn’t tick by and they get forgotten in the chaos of your everyday routines. Create points along the way that when you achieve, you know that you are on the right path to achieving the goal. When you make it to those points, celebrate.
- Do something daily – creating momentum helps to create habit and also brings you closer to your goal
- Enjoy the journey.
- Sharing your progress with someone will help keep you accountable as well as motivated.
- Don’t give up
- Focus on what matters
You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream – C.S. Lewis
What do you do to keep on track and achieve your goals? Share your thought in the comments
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