The beginning of the month is a great time for setting new goals: you can turn the page of the calendar and begin a fresh start. Any frustration or disappointment from last month is behind you now. You can start the new month excited and committed to those new goals.
But sometimes…life happens. Kids get sick, the washing machine breaks, family comes to town unexpectedly and before you know it, you are losing your enthusiasm; you consider putting your goals “on hold”.
The important thing is to not give up! Here are 4 quick tips to help:
#1 – Map out your goals:
Make a goal poster or vision board and look at it every day. Include positive quotes and affirmations along with specific actions steps to take.
#2 – Set up an accountability system:
Find a mentor or colleague who will hold you accountable and communicate with him or her on a regular basis. I find that emailing an accountability “buddy” on a regular basis helps me stay on track.
#3 – Include your family in the goal:
If your children are old enough, explain to them how reaching your monthly goal will benefit their lives (a vacation fund, special dinner or trip to the park).
If your children are younger (and a major reason you get sidetracked from your goals), enlist the help of a spouse, friend or family member to take the kids for an extra hour or two each week so you can dedicate that time to working toward your goal.
#4 – Keep track of your success:
Acknowledge the steps you are taking to reach your goal, no matter how small they seem at the time: many small steps can get you to same place just as well as one giant step. The important thing is that you keep moving!
Take time at the beginning of the month to set new goals – and you’ll find yourself growing with that action itself!
“You are successful the moment you start moving toward a worthwhile goal.”
Chuck Carlson