5 Tips to sticking to your goals that will make all the difference

By Sophia McDermott, Lifestyle Coach & Fitness Expert. 

We all set goals to help improve our lives but very few of us actually stick at them. Life gets in the way. We Are too busy. We have work deadlines. We have the kids who need to be fed and bathed. Most of these are very legitimate reasons. It’s tough being a busy working woman and mother. But at the end of the day, there needs to be a way where we can do both. 

Here are 5 tips to help you stick to your goals over time!

1. Work backwards and methodically lay out your goals. Planning is the key.

1. Work backward and layout your long-term goals. Where do you want to be in five years? Where do you want to be in one year?
2. Break down your one-year goal plan into months. By breaking down your goals, it becomes easier to see the smaller actions that need to be taken to achieve the bigger goals. This makes things not so overwhelming and therefore more achievable.
3. Break down your goals week by week. For example, if your goal is to lose twenty pounds, then your week by week strategy may be to lose one or two pounds a week.
4. Break down your goals day by day. This is actually where it all happens and where this concept comes into play through you actively making choices and decisions on a daily basis

2. Create a Vision Board

Vision boards are such a powerful and useful tool to help you stick to your goals. They are a constant visual reminder. Seeing your goals before your eyes constantly not only affects your conscious mind but also your subconscious mind and can possibly drive us to make decisions that take us closer to our goals even if we don’t realise it. Create a vision board with all your dreams and desires, no matter how crazy they may seem and put it in a place where you can see it every day. 

3. Get straight back on our goal bandwagon even if you have fallen off 

Some days are more challenging than others which means sometimes due to a stressed state etc we can make choices that aren’t so good for us. For example, if we have a goal to save some money but we splurge on a big night out, don’t lose sight of your goals or beat yourself up over it, just be mindful the following day and subsequent weeks with your spending. 

Every day is an opportunity to get to where you want to be in life.  

4. Start off small and work your way through

Don’t go overkill and then be burned out after a few weeks or months. I see people get all fired up and motivated to be the fittest they’ve ever been and to have the most awesome body of their dream and after a few months of exhausting exercise they are burned out, over-trained and injured. Not to mention they are ‘kaput’ emotionally. 

Pace yourself. Mount Everest was not climbed in a day. Recognise that your baby steps compound over time to make huge progress. Remind yourself of the goal-setting task you completed initially and know that each day will purposely bring you closer to your goal in the long run. Stick to the plan and little by little you’ll get there. 

5. Maintain an optimistic attitude at all times. 

Easier said than done, I know. But if you want to make significant changes in your life you have to realise that there will be some ups and downs. This is really about a whole lifestyle change so maintaining a positive outlook while you are transforming yourself or your life will make a huge difference as to whether we reach your goals or not.  At the end of the day your state of mind matters.

Planning things out is the most important step so that you know overall what’s involved. Sticking to the plan and making purposeful decisions that take you closer to your goals is the key for long term success. Get straight back on the goal bandwagon again if you fall off (without beating yourself up) and pace yourself for the long haul during your transformation. Be sure to remain optimistic. The journey should be fun! You are changing yourself for the better and on your way to achieving your dreams!!! And that’s exciting.