Make and reach your goals, no matter what they are

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar

It’s the beginning of a new year and we all know what that means. Yes, you need to switch out your calendar and try not to mess up when you’re writing dates. It also means that a whole bunch of people have made a resolution – a goal to achieve during the year.

But check this out: While 40% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, only about 8% actually keep them – which means that Zig Ziglar does not just have a fantastic name. He has a valid point. So, whether you’ve decided to be healthier, a better friend or the best monkey trainer in the world, experts have some solid ideas on how to achieve your dream.

• Create a Vision Board: Just like it sounds, you use images on a board to remind you of your goals. Those images are a constant reminder of what you want and why. One of the keys to making it work is to make it your own. It should make you feel the way you want to feel.
• Set Goals All Year: Some of us don’t go in for resolutions. We set goals throughout the year – some big, some little. Personally, I dig combining this with a version of the vision board. When I’ve finished something, I take down the goal and save it in a book or journal. It’s a very visual way to remind me both of the 1,000 cool things I want to do and what I’ve (hopefully) already done.
• Link Your Habits: Research shows it’s super effective to link a new behavior to an existing one. Want to expand your knowledge of zydeco music? Blast those festive accordion-driven tunes while you’re already doing a daily habit, like brushing your teeth or polishing your elbows.
• Be Reasonable: If your goal is to be Supreme Overlord of the Universe, then I applaud you for thinking big. But if you’ve never even been in charge of anything, try breaking the big goal into smaller goals. Maybe your goal for this year should be Supreme Overlord of the Downstairs Storage Closet. You can build upon your achievements to reach that ultimate dream.

Good luck, everybody. And remember: The important thing is to keep trying. Yes, that sounds like a fortune cookie, but that doesn’t make it untrue.

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