Goals: Four Ways to Achieve Them

Are you ever frustrated by the lack of progress you seem to be making toward your goals?

Would you like to reach those goals quicker?

If so, here are a few ideas to help speed your momentum.

Create a Time Inventory

Do you feel like you have no time? Are your most important goals not being achieved or not being achieved fast enough? The first area to address is time tracking. Believe me, if you have never done this or have not done this in awhile, you will be surprised by the results.

Print out a time sheet from the web or create one in Excel with 15 minute increments going down the first column, and then note what you did in the columns next to the time. Write down what you did every 15 minutes. At the end of the week, look over your time sheet. Calculate how much time you spent on email, returning calls, working on your goals, etc. Next, look at what areas you can eliminate. As yourself, honestly, “What would happen if I did not do these activities and instead eliminated them?” There’s a good chance the world would not end, and many if not all could be reassigned, or stopped altogether.

Find an Accountability Partner

Ask someone whom you respect, and you know will ask the tough questions, to hold you accountable to what you said you would do. This person is crucial in helping you achieve your goals. Set a time to meet with them, preferably face to face, at least twice/month.

Ask them not only to keep you accountable but also ask for input and suggestions on achieving your goals more quickly. Discuss your obstacles and brainstorm ways to help you overcome them. Personally, I have someone who holds me accountable, and it has made a big difference in my life in keeping me focused and on track.

Involve Others

People enjoy helping others achieve their goals, especially when you help them achieve their goals as well. Talk about your goals with those who can help and support you: Your spouse, significant other, business partner, suppliers, peers, co-workers. Let them know your goals and how they can help you achieve them.

You will be amazed at the outpouring of support if you involve the right people from your life who care about you. Remember to ask them what their goals are as well. This will give you the opportunity to reciprocate the support you are receiving from them.

Launch Weekly Creative Thinking Time

Take the time each week to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and be still. Review your goals. What progress did you make last week? What got in the way of progress? What do you want to accomplish in the upcoming week? Find a place at home or somewhere where you will not be disturbed for an hour or more, and just think about your life, your vision for your life, and the goals that will take you there.

What ideas do you employ to help you achieve the goals in your life? What methods work for you, that you could share with others to help them as well?