5 Things I wish I had know years ago about Achieving Goals

It's officially September! I can't believe there are only 4 months left of the year. And if you like me, you have had the same goals since the beginning of the year, with little to no traction. And your probably feeling frustrated with your self at this point and have given up. "I will just ride out the year and start fresh next year", is probably a common thought in your brain. I get it, me too! But I'm here to tell you, it's still possible to turn the year around and a get a jump start to the new year. 

I have had the same goals for the last 4 years. Loose weight, work out, set some routines, set some boundaries so those are possible, make more money, eat healthier, take care of ME. Sound familiar? 

Well, my friend, I believe I have found the secret sauce to make those happen. 

Before we dive in to that, I want to let you know about a simple 1 page cheat sheet I created for some strategies that will calm you soul when you start getting stuck in the spiral of thoughts that can arise when it's just not working the way you had it planned out in your head. Here is the link to get that download. 

Lets Begin!

Mindset Matters: Cultivating The Attitude for Success

Alright, let’s talk about the brain game. Achieving your goals isn't just about grinding it out or white knuckle willpower; it's about flipping the switch in your head. Most people would say it's a positive attitude. But in my experience its A determined attitude that is your golden ticket to success. We're talking about knowing you will and can tackle any challenge even when the going gets tough. A "this WILL happen" outlook will keep you laser-focused on your goals, rather than wallowing in the muck of setbacks.

When I lost over 30 lbs. and 11 inches, the main thing that kept me going was the continued thought of, "I'm AM doing this and nothing is going to get in my way!". 

Want to get that determined mojo flowing? Start by declaring it WILL happen, get REALLY clear on your why (more on that next), and visualize yourself doing the things needed to achieve your goal. Your mindset can be your superhero cape or your kryptonite. Choose to see hurdles as stepping stones to greatness.

Finding Your Why: The Mojo Behind Your Motivation

Let's get real for a second. Understanding your 'why' is like finding the secret sauce that makes everything taste better. It's your deep-seated desire—the fire in your belly—that keeps you pushing forward, even when life throws you a curveball.

When I started having health issues, it was apparently clear on my why, I MUST start taking care of my body NOW so I can be around for my kids. (But isn't it funny that we wait until it affects our way of living instead of doing something about it before hand?)

My Suggestion, Take some time to really think about why you want to crush those goals, NOW before it smack's you upside the head, like a Denozo Slap (Your welcome NCIS fans!😀). What will hitting those milestones mean for you and your life? Once you uncover your true 'why,' staying consistent will be that much easier, no matter how rough the waters get.

Strategic Planning: Your GPS to Goal Smashing

Now, let's talk strategy. Having a game plan is non-negotiable if you want to crush your goals. Think of strategic planning as breaking down your giant, intimidating goals into bite-sized, manageable pieces. It's like turning that monstrous to-do list into a series of mini-missions.

Wanting to get healthier is to vague. But when you think about what it takes to get healthier, then break that down into Specific daily tasks that will help you get there, it's more actionable. 

Start by setting those SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). Lay out a timeline for each step and figure out what tools or resources you'll need. Keep tabs on your progress and tweak your plan as needed. A solid strategy is like your personal GPS; it'll keep you on course and help you get back on track when those pesky roadblocks pop up (and they will).

Identifying Your Obstacles: The First Step to Overcoming Them

And enters in Obstacles. But before you can bulldoze through those obstacles, you gotta know what they are. This means being brutally honest about what's tripping you up. We're talking about the usual suspects—"I don't feel like it", "I'm to tired", "I'll do that later", "I don't have time".

When I think back to all the things that have tripped me up on my way to smashing my goals, these are the usual suspects. But I only figured that out by journaling my frustrations. It was like holding a magnifying glass up to my own excuses. Were they 100% true? Probably not. Sure, I didn’t feel like it right then, but what was even more true was that I didn’t want to feel like this forever!

Once you've called out these party crashers, it's time to show them the door. If your feeling are getting in the way (and yes, tired is a feeling), kick it to the curb. Feelings don't get a say, when it's your goal on the line. If time keeps slipping through your fingers, whip up a killer schedule and prioritize like a boss. By tackling your obstacles head-on, you'll be ready to crush them and keep moving forward.

Consistency is Key: Developing Habits That Support Your Goals

Finally —consistency is the name of the game when it comes to crushing your goals. We're talking about those little, everyday habits that, when stacked up, turn into something epic.

I'm reading a book right now called Atomic Habits by James Clear. Have you heard of it? In his book he talks about figuring out what type of person it takes to achieve the goal your after and deciding to be that everyday. This is was builds those habits. If you haven't hear of it, you can check it here. 

To be consistent, pinpoint those teeny-tiny habits that match up with your big dreams. Want to get fit? Start by moving that body for just 20 minutes a day. The trick here is to aim for consistency, not perfection. Over time, these small but mighty habits will snowball, bringing you closer and closer to smashing those goals.

So There you have it. These are the things that have helped me achieve some goals and continue to achieve the life I want for my self. 

If you found this helpful, or if you didn't, I want to know. Leave a comment below, or email me directly at Deanna@Seasonsfromthehart.com, and let me know what worked, what didn't, or if you have any questions. I want to help you live your best life. 

Until next time my Friend, 

Stay Strong!