5 Steps to Overcome Bad Habits & Achieve Your Goals

5 Steps to Overcome Bad Habits & Achieve Your Goals.

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals- Henry David Thoreau.

Have you ever had a goal or wanted to acquire something, but given up because it all became too hard? Have you ever developed some bad habits which have prevented you from living the life you deserve?

Achieving goals and overcoming bad habits can be challenging, however it’s important to note that most things worth doing aren’t easy. I have spent the last 12-18 months researching and understanding the daily routines and habits of successful professionals and entrepreneurs. Through my research, I have learned that there are certain patterns of behaviours we can adopt and implement in our daily lives to maximise productivity and achieve goals.

So, you’re probably wondering how to overcome bad habits and achieve your goals? You can start by:

1. ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE MORNING ROUTINE

A key pattern amongst many successful entrepreneurs is that they have a solid morning routine which ensures they start their day off on the right foot. The first 60-90 minutes of the day is often dedicated to working on their bodies and their minds, before they are distracted by email, phone calls and meetings. A typical morning routine generally includes some sort of meditation or mindfulness practice in addition to physical workout.

Joe Duncan (Founder, Before of 5am & Impact Billions) is a big advocate for dedicating between 5am-9am to working on yourself and your goals. The mornings are prime time where your mind is free from distractions, and should be utilised effectively and wisely.

Jocko Wilink (retired US Navy Seal, author & podcaster) wakes up at 4:30am each day. He grabs his workout clothes which have been laid out the night before, heads to the gym and completes a one hour workout. In his book ‘Discipline Equals Freedom,’ Jocko says it doesn’t matter what type of workout you do, so long as you get your blood pumping and your head into the game.

If you want to know about creating your own morning routine, you can read more here.

2. INVEST IN YOURSELF

You are your biggest investment. Engage in an ongoing process to develop yourself. Take every opportunity to self-educate whether it is reading a book, attending a seminar, listening to podcasts or teaching yourself new skills. Overcome negative self-talk, stand up for yourself and believe in yourself. If you are going to master a particular area, begin to develop your skills, talent and vision of yourself. Ensure you are taking the necessary actions to work on your goals, because you deserve it.

3. HONOUR YOURSELF AS YOUR WORD

Maintain a sense of integrity within yourself. Be very cautious with the word to give to others and the commitment you give to yourself. Learn the art of becoming single-minded. Learn how to concentrate and how to focus. Keep yourself accountable to achieving your goals and if you have difficulty in doing so, ask trusted friends or a family member to help you stay on track.

4. DEVELOP A SENSE OF URGENCY

We all have the same 24 hours in a day, so why is it that some of us are able to accomplish so much more than others?

Begin each day with intention and focus. If you don’t already have a plan as to how you are going to accomplish your goals, create one. Use this as a guide to determine what steps and actions you need to take on a daily basis. Stop getting caught up in small, mindless tasks and stop wasting valuable time. Start living each day as if it were your last- it will take on a whole new meaning.

5. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GOOD PEOPLE

As Jim Rohn famously quoted, you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Surround yourself with good people who genuinely want to see you succeed. Find people who are already doing what you want to do, develop relationships and learn from them. Make a conscious decision to stay clear of negative, lost and uninspired people.

OVERCOME BAD HABITS & ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS

Whilst life presents us with many challenges, one thing I have learned is to never give up on your dreams! Life present us with many obstacles and it is up to us to identify the lesson and the opportunity. Do the best that you can, because that is an expression of you who are. Set some high standards for yourself, stay focused and go and live the life of your dreams.

What actions have you taken to overcome bad habits and achieve your goals? I would love to hear your thoughts- please leave your comments below!