A 10 Step Checklist for Actually Achieving Your Goals (Including Two Surprising + Important Steps)

The new year is upon us, and you’re probably thinking about your goals for 2015. Here’s a 10 step checklist to help you out! I’ve emphasized steps 2 and 3, because they’re super important, but aren’t generally talked about.

1. 1. Pick a goal that feels doable, but a bit of a stretch, from a place of self knowledge, compassion, and kindness.
      Once you’ve picked your goal, check yourself against the following questions.
      • Does the goal you’ve come up with feel like a prison or a healthy challenge?
      • Are you asking yourself to do something that fights your true nature or honors it?
      • Is your goal so ambitious that you’d need to be superhuman to achieve it or is it reasonable and right at the edge of your comfort zone?
      • Is your goal specific and measurable?

      Re-work your goal until you hit upon the right framework for you.

   2. Imagine you’ve achieved your goal- what comes up for you?
      Mentally travel to the completion of your goal. How does it feel? Really sit with this, because there are often multiple levels of feeling. For example, you might feel excited at first and then a worry or concern will come in. Dig in and write down all the gunk that comes up.

 

1. 1. Address these concerns ahead of time.
      Your concerns may be practical or emotional. For example, if you have the goal of exercising more, but your work schedule is super busy, then there’s a logistical issue of figuring out when you’ll work out. Or, if you want to earn more money, you might realize you’re worried how out-earning your circle of friends will affect your relationships. Work through as many of these concerns as you can ahead of time. If you get stuck, ask a friend or a coach to talk them over with you. And if you dredge up tons of concerns, you might want to re-evaluate your initial goal. Perhaps tackling a smaller step would help you to eventually build to where you want to be.

 

1. 1. Write your goal down, and keep it visible.
      Oftentimes our peak energy around a goal is when we’re forming it. Keep your vision visible and present, so that you can remember and reference what you’re working towards.

 

1. 1. Clear some space.
      Make room for your goal and the associated actions by eliminating extraneous projects, commitments, or stuff.

 

1. 1. Make a plan and account for how you’ll handle inevitable obstacles.
      Generally consider what you’ll need to do to achieve your goal. Give yourself clear guidelines to follow. For example, if you wanted to be more social you might set a goal of going to an event or hanging out with friends once a week. Then think about the obstacles that will block you from achieving your goal. What if no one is around or you have a crazy period at work? Pre-think what you’ll do in these scenarios, and write out a thorough game plan.

 

1. 1. Envision your success.
      If you’ve done the earlier steps in this checklist, particularly 2 + 3, then envisioning your success will feel peaceful and yummy, almost like a foregone conclusion. When I have a goal that I’m particularly invested in achieving, I will write or imagine the outcome I’m looking for on a regular basis. It helps me to stay focused on where I’m aiming. Note that this step is not a substitute for action!

 

1. 1. Ask for help.
      Think through what people, groups, or technology could help you with achieving your goal. Surround yourself with as much support as possible to boost your chances of success.

 

1. 1. Re-commit to your goal when you get off track.
      Let’s be honest here. We’re all human, and there are going to be points where we get off track with our goals. That’s totally okay. Once this happens, try re-committing to your goal. Connect to why it is meaningful to you, and try again.

 

1. 1. Follow through relentlessly until you achieve your goal.
      This step is crucial. In my experience, sticking with a project until I get the outcome I want, even if it takes me 10 tries, is what really does the trick. There are certainly times when it makes sense to let go of a goal, but if the goal is still valid, hang in there until you get it. That type of perseverance works wonders.

 

Good luck with your goals in 2015!

PS. If you want even more support around achieving your goals in 2015 and you’re a woman living in the DC area, be sure to check out the new and improved Authentic Girlfriends Circle! Early bird registration ends Dec 28th, and spaces are limited.

What are your goals for 2015? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below.