Who hasn’t at some point started the year with the intention of accomplishing a goal by doing something differently than they did the year before? However, as the days turn into weeks and the weeks into months, things can happen that derail those intentions. Times become tough, people get busy, and jobs become more demanding, so the goals that have been set end up taking a back seat to life and we fall back into familiar comfort zones.
Here are a few tips that you can use to increase the odds of turning future intentions into reality.
FIND AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER
As the title suggests this is someone you will partner with that will hold you accountable for specific things you tell them you would like to achieve. It is important that this be someone that you trust, someone that will encourage you on your journey and not be afraid to let you know when you begin to slip back into old habits.
It is important that when you set your goal, you contact your accountability partner immediately and explain to them what you would like to accomplish. Stress the importance that their support will play in your success and if they are up to the task begin with a verbal agreement that suggests a timeline of completion that includes check-in times. Depending on your needs and what your accountability partner is willing to do, determine whether you’ll meet once a month, once a week, or a daily phone call. These check-in times are simply pre-determined dates when your partner will check in on you to find out how you’re doing and whether or not you are remaining on task. You can meet for dinner to discuss where you are and the progress you have made or any difficulties you are having. I suggest partnering with someone else that also has a goal they are working towards and could benefit from you being their accountability partner as well.
Having a teammate that will hold you accountable for goals you have set, and will increase your chances of succeeding.
CREATE A SUCCESS JOURNAL
Honestly tracking your progress in a journal is a necessary tool for your success and has many benefits.
One benefit is that it gives you the ability to hold yourself accountable for your actions. For example, if it is your goal to exercise and eat healthier, writing down what you eat every day and what exercises you performed in the gym gives you the ability to look at what you’ve done, and if you are seeing results you know exactly what you have done, and can continue to repeat the successful process.
If you aren’t seeing results, having a success journal enables you to look back at what you’ve done and make adjustments so you aren’t repeating an ineffective process.
DAILY REMINDERS
No matter what goal(s) you set for yourself, it is important that you remind yourself why that goal is important to you. If it’s a weight loss goal, purchase an item in the size you desire to be and leave it out where you can see it every day.
Make it a routine to pick the item up before going to the gym as a reminder of where you’re headed and what you’re working towards. It’s not enough to simply create a visual reminder for yourself, you must not only see it but physically touch it and say something to yourself that affirms what you are doing and where you are headed.
If you are saving money for a trip or purchase, find pictures of the destination or item and again leave it where you can see it and make it a routine to physically touch the picture and say something to yourself that affirms what you are working towards.
Following these three simple steps will greatly improve your chances of turning intentions into reality.
About the Author:
Ian J. Humphrey is an award-winning motivational speaker. He speaks to corporations, educators, and youth about his own fears of failure and how he overcame them to become successful.