Now that COVID has eased a bit, would you say it is easier or harder to hold yourself accountable? When I asked myself this question, once I said “it is easier”, again, “it is more difficult”. Are we burned?
For example, we all know that bad habits like losing weight and quitting smoking are necessary. But what do you really want to do? We rarely answer this question before getting confused with our goal.
Guess what’s going on now? You don’t obey it. Maybe it’s because you are not motivated or stubborn. Other times, you will get off track because of external forces, just like a global pandemic that completely changes your schedule.
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However, this is the case. These are just excuses. This may sound harsh, but the only way to achieve your goals is to take responsibility.
Look, I know that this engagement is not a walk in the park. However, if you use the following 10 techniques, you can stick to them.
Take the right attitude.
“You must know your reason,” said Alicia T. Glenn, the founder of Astounding Pursuits. You can determine this by asking two important questions. The first is “Why is it important to you to achieve this goal?”
Second? “How will your life improve in the end?”
“If you don’t have enough convincing answers, you may not stick to it because it doesn’t matter to you,” Glenn added. “You have to want to change enough because when the going gets tough, you walk away. Nobody wants to make sacrifices for things they think are of little value.”
How can I adopt the right mindset? Let yourself be inspired. For example, books, TED talks, and being with people with similar interests. “If you do this, you will never need another reminder because it is now a part of your life,” Glenn said.
Determine your personal mission statement.
“Your personal mission statement is a short statement, usually a sentence or two, that points to the direction you intend to live,” explains Forbes’ Melody Wilding. “It’s like a compass. It can help you stay on track and move in the direction you want to go.”
If you’ve never written a personal mission statement before, it’s pretty basic.
Brainstorm your “why” – When you are in the right frame of mind, you may already have. The statement
need not be lengthy. Ideally, it should be clear and brief.
Use positive language. “It’s better to say something you don’t want to do,” Wilding added. Instead, “focus on who you want to be.”
Focus on micro goals.
Desmond Tutu once said, “There is only one way to eat an elephant: one bite at a time.” Obviously, you shouldn’t take this literally. Rather, it breaks down those huge, overwhelming goals into more manageable pieces.
These are called microlenses. And, because they are achievable, they can help you build and maintain motivation. This is mainly because that sense of accomplishment releases dopamine and makes you want to repeat this behavior.
What’s more, it has been discovered that walking with small steps can even make us happier. The
process is also very simple. Observe a big goal carefully, then work backward. It’s like opening a 1000-piece puzzle. It was overwhelming at first, but just start with one piece and keep putting it together until it starts to look like a picture.
Send the plan to paper.
Did you know that writing down your goals will increase your likelihood of success by 1.4 times? One reason is that writing lets your brain know what to focus on. Therefore, it is easier to remember.
In addition, writing helps clarify your objectives and leaves no room for exceptions. Additionally, written goals can serve as a constant reminder, allowing you to review your progress and allowing you to check the project off your to-do list with satisfaction.
Find a goal, man.
On my way back to college, I have a study partner. Whenever one of us doesn’t want to do our homework or prepare for the final exam, we put pressure on each other. We can also ask ourselves questions, make game plans, and even celebrate when we pass the test.
I can admit that without this classmate, my biology test would be very poor. After all, science has never been my strong suit. And it certainly kept me focused and motivated throughout the semester.
Ideally, your responsible partner should be someone you trust. They should also have similar goals. Also, everyone should make the same efforts.
To make this a successful partnership, you must decide when and how often you will meet. The easiest solution is to share your calendar so you don’t play cat and mouse. They can see when you are free and choose a time slot that is also suitable for them. After, set SMART goals. Also, give and receive honest feedback. Even if it’s not what you’ve always wanted to hear, it can help you learn and grow.
Also Read: Exercises To Relieve Your Stress
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