If 2020 taught us anything, is that New Years Resolutions and plans can go sideways very quickly, and that’s putting it lightly (Insert your 20 examples and reason why here…)
BUT!
As the saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” When it comes to achieving our long term goals, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that we need to take giant leaps in order to make progress. However, the reality is that consistent, daily action is what ultimately leads to success.
In this blogpost, we’ll explore six tips or ideas for keeping focus on your long term goals and taking consistent action towards achieving them on a daily basis. By following these guidelines, I hope that you can stay motivated and on track, no matter how big or challenging your goals may be. The bigger the better they say, or if your dreams don’t scare the hell out of you, they probably not big enough…
- Clearly define your goals.
The first step to working on your long term goals on a daily basis is to clearly define what they are. What do you want to achieve in the long run? Be specific, and make sure your goals are measurable and achievable.
For example, instead of setting a goal to “lose weight,” set a specific goal to “lose 10 KG’s in the next six months.” or “deadlift 200kg by Christmas” (wink). This gives you a clear target to work towards, and allows you to track your progress along the way.
- Break your goals down into smaller, actionable steps.
Once you have a clear understanding of your long term goals, it’s important to break them down into smaller, actionable steps. This will help you to see the progress you’re making and stay motivated as you work towards your ultimate objective.
For example, if your goal is to save R10,000 month for a down payment on a house, consider setting a monthly savings goal and tracking your progress. Or, if your goal is to become a published author, consider setting a daily writing goal and working towards it consistently. Every training session for a marathon starts with a few steps. A 5k turns into a 10k and a 10k turns into a half marathon…
- Set daily, weekly, and monthly targets.
In addition to breaking down your long term goals into smaller steps, it can also be helpful to set daily, weekly, and monthly targets. This will help you to stay focused and motivated as you work towards your larger objectives.
For example, if your long term goal is to run a marathon, consider setting a daily running goal and tracking your progress. Or, if your goal is to learn a new skill, consider setting a weekly practice goal and working towards it consistently.
I like to break these goals into 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months trackable ideas. (see no. 4)
- Track your progress and adjust your strategy as needed.
As you work towards your long term goals, it’s important to track your progress and adjust your strategy as needed. This will help you to stay on track and make necessary course corrections as you go.
For example, if you’re trying to save money for that house, consider using a budgeting app or spreadsheet to track your spending and see where you can cut back. Or, if you’re working towards a fitness goal, consider using a fitness tracker or app to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your exercise routine.
- Surround yourself with supportive and positive people.
Achieving our long term goals can be a challenging and lonely journey at times. That’s why it’s so important to surround ourselves with supportive people who will encourage and motivate us as we work towards our objectives.
Seek out friends, family members, or even a professional coach or mentor who can offer guidance and support as you work towards your long term goals. Having a strong support system can make all the difference when it comes to staying motivated and on track. Get a financial planner to help or get a gym partner who you know is waiting for you at gym at 05:00 to get yourself out of bed… Nothing worse than missing gym and having your gym partner have to fly solo…
- Keep a positive attitude and focus on progress, not perfection.
As you work towards your long term goals, remind yourself that no plan is perfect, and that no road trip goes exactly according to plan. But on the road trip, keep your eyes on the road and allow yourself to take in the beauty that is on the road, don’t be afraid to stop for a minute and take a photo of the mountains you’re driving past on the way to your desired destination.
One step closer is one step closer. That’s all. Today, take another step. Tomorrow, try take a few more.
Hopefully these six simple ideas assist you in making 2024 a Good Year for you and your loved ones.
Much love
Dean