If you’re setting goals where you should be – right on the edge between “I know I can” and “That’s a stretch, I’ll really need to dig deep to make that happen,” it’s possible you’ll experience a little doubt.

That’s NORMAL.

Beyond “SMART Goals” (Specific, Measurable, Articulable, Realistic and Time Limited) the solution to “man-that’s-a-stretch,” scary goals is to Break. Your. Goals. Down into steps.

Accomplishing any goal is just 5 Easy Steps away:

1. Plan steps to accomplishing your goal in reverse

Set your goals in reverse. Pick a date of completion and work backward. For example:  set a goal for the end of the month, look at the half-way point, about 2 weeks in, and you should be about ½ way towards reaching your goal by then, right!?  So write out the measurement and specific place you should be on the half-way date.  Go to today (or the first day you plan on starting) and write in big, bold letters, “Begin ________,” writing in the blank your intended success.  Lastly, set short-term goals for each of the first 7-10 days.  (I don’t suggest setting short-term goals for every day because you may progress faster (or slower) than you thought you would; other issues might come up – so only naming the first several steps allow a more natural, organic progression. 

2. Keep to your calendar

After you write the goal you set for the end of the month on the last day of the month on the calendar and the first 7-10 days following your calendar closely.  Once you’ve gotten through those days write out daily goals for the next 7-10 days then, finally, through the end of the month. This way you are setting short and long term goals and each day as you accomplish your short term goals you move one step closer to accomplishing your long term goal. Don’t forget to include personal development goals and days off.

3. One step at a time

Don’t try to cram everything into one day. If you try to post to your blogs, post to the forums, post classified ads, participate in groups, submit articles and work on your Facebook page, etc. all in one day you’ll burn yourself out. Instead, focus on one or two things every day and then cross it off. If you can’t accomplish what your specific goal for the day was, look to another ancillary goal.  Or jump ahead to something you CAN do.  Be creative, consistent and persistent in taking steps forwards.  Mark an ‘X’ on the calendar on the days you complete the scheduled tasks.

4. Set daily times or time limits

Schedule *specific times* to work on the tasks you’ve set for yourself that day.  It isn’t enough to simply say that you’ll do “X” today… NAME THE TIME you’ll do X.  Aim for one to two hours per day. By limiting the time you are spending and focusing on one or two tasks every day, you’ll build momentum and increase your success rate.

5. Stick with it

Stick with your schedule. Switching things up too often can get in the way of your success.  Focus mainly on one goal at a time, without starting on too many at one time (and especially not starting on other goals that require the same resources such as “study for 4 hours a day” AND “run 10 miles a day” – both of these will require TIME and after sleeping, working, and eating, it’s unlikely that you can take on more than one time-intensive goal at a time.  The same goes for goals that require large investments of money or energy.  Choose just one main goal that uses limited resources each day.

With a written plan written out in this manner, you’ll find that you accomplish far more than you thought you could and far more easily than you thought it would be.  That’s not to say that you’ll never hit a rough patch or suffer self-doubts.  You might.  But with persistence and breaking down large goals into small you’ll make accomplishing your goals easier and experience steady progress and growth. At the end of the month when you see more ‘X’s than empty squares, you’ll feel more accomplished. By implementing these 5 Easy Steps to Accomplishing Any Goal, you’ll find yourself making progress, building self-confidence and reaching and accomplishing your long term goals!

Whatever you want in life – to start a business, obtain a graduate degree, or find the love of your life – I’ve led thousands of people in reaching dreams just like yours. And I KNOW you’re capable of reaching success with the help of my coaching. Reach out now and I’ll even offer you the first session for free!

Start here, start now!

Mark is a master goal setter. He has done what he teaches… He wants you to succeed…
~ Dick McLean