Podcast: Solo Episode On How To Set Audacious Goals In 2021 You Actually Stick To (Episode 32)
“If you want to be happy, set audacious goals that command your thoughts, liberate your energy and inspire your hopes.” – Andrew Carnegie.
It’s the beginning of a brand new year! I always love the start of each new year because it feels like a fresh start and new opportunity to achieve our goals. And with 2020 now in the rear view mirror, it is time to shift our focus to what can be accomplished in 2021.
However, if you have ever set a New Years resolution only for it to fizzle out a few weeks later, you are not alone. A study by The Journal of Clinical Psychology shows that most individuals make the same New Years Resolution 10 times without success.
Whether your goal is to write a book, launch a new business, develop a program, improve your health & fitness or anything else, there are a few strategies which can significantly increase the likelihood of you achieving your goals.
In this episode, I cover 5 key strategies to set audacious goals in 2021 you actually stick to. You can read more details below, or listen to the full episode here:
5 KEY STRATEGIES TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE GOAL SETTING
1. FOCUS ON ONE THING & ONE THING ONLY
The problem with New Years resolutions, is that they often become more of a wish list of all of the things we want to achieve. Research from the University of Michigan shows that we aren’t as good at doing several things at once as we think we are. When we try to focus on doing too many things, we spread ourselves thin and end up achieving nothing to agree we intended.
Rather than setting a long list or resolutions, focus your energy on achieving one goal, and one goal only. When you have laser focus on one specific goal whether it be financial, career, health or anything else, you will be able to make significantly more progress and more likely to achieve that goal.
2. BE SPECIFIC
One thing I know for sure, is that the universe responds to specific goals and intentions, not vague wishes and dreams. I often talk about and have previously written about Debbie Millman’s powerful exercise on your 10 year plan for a remarkable life. In this exercise, you are forced to think about the specific details about your life – even down to your bed sheets. Ever since doing this exercise 2.5 years ago, I have become super specific about my goals and dreams. They no longer feel like vague wishes and dreams, rather real, achievable goals which are within arms reach.
3. WRITE IT ALL DOWN
Your likelihood of achieving your goals increases exponentially, if you write them down. In fact, a study conducted by Dr. Gail Matthews, a Psychology Professor at The Dominican University in California shows that you are 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them all down. The process of putting pen to paper encourages you to strategise, ask the right questions and put the necessary steps in place to make them come into fruition.
Build this practice into your daily routine and write down your goal every single day. Know that you are 42% more likely to achieve it if you write it down as a daily practice.
4. QUARTERLY CHECK-INS
Rather than setting your goals at the start of each new year only to file them away, schedule in regular check-ins with yourself. Whilst your goal should become the focus each and every day, try scheduling in time in your calendar and treating it like any other appointment you would make.
At the end of each quarter, sit down and review your progress. Are you on track to achieving your goal? What more do you need to do in order to achieve it? Start getting curious and asking yourself the right questions. When you ask good questions, you get good answers.
5. HAVE AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER
A study conducted by The American Society of Training and Development found that people are 65% more likely to meet a goal after committing to another person. Their chances of success the increase to 95% when they build in ongoing meetings with their partners to check in on their progress.
Find someone who can act as an accountability partner to you, and schedule in regular time to catch up and discuss progress. This could be in the form of a friend, coach, personal trainer, peer, family member or anyone else you know will be able to keep you accountable.
SETTING GOALS YOU ACTUALLY STICK TO
What are some strategies you are going to put in place to ensure you reach your audacious goals in 2021? I would love to hear thoughts, please leave your comments below!
