"Persistence is to the character of a man as carbon is to steel"
~ Napoleon Hill~
In my previous post, I talked about " How to Say No to Perfection and Yes to Action".
This week I want to touch on a topic that most people complain about when it comes to achieving a goal, which is lack of persistency and consistency.
How can you achieve anything if you do not persist in your actions?
You all have experienced the rush of a new goal. You really get excited at first and make plans to achieve the goal in a certain time frame. Unfortunately, after weeks or even days, your excitement fades away and your action towards the goal become more more sporadic, until it vanishes completely.
So what can you do to keep the momentum going?
Here are 7 questions you may consider asking yourself to help you be on top of your game.
1. Do I really want to achieve this goal?
Try to be really honest with yourself when answering this question, because it may be that your goal is not what you really want. You think you do, but in fact with deep reflection, you realized that it is what other people wanted for you. You need to own your goal to be motivated.
Action:
Take a piece of paper or open a document on your computer and jot down the reason why you want to achieve this goal. Pretty soon, you are going to realize if this goal is one that you want or one that someone wants for you.
2. Do I have a plan of actions? Am I really clear on the steps I am going to take?
This is really important. Having an action plan is like a path you map for yourself to know what steps you need to take to get to the finish line. Without it, you are turning in a circle, you are wasting your time and energy and pretty soon, you will lose sight of your goal.
A plan of action is going to help you identify what needs to be done, the resources you require, and track your progress towards your goal. It is a bridge between where you are and where you want to be. The more prepared and clear you are about how to achieve your goal, the bigger chance you have to get to your goal faster and more successfully.
Action:
On a new document write down the name of your goal. Without over thinking, write down everything that comes to your mind to achieve your goal. If you need to do some research. Surf the internet or ask questions to someone who have already achieve the same goal. Figure out the time it will take you to achieve your goal. Be realistic here. Remember you want to set yourself for success. Now take your list, and put your ideas in order, from the beginning step to the final step.
3. Am I making my goal a priority?
It is important that you make your goal a top priority in your life. It has to become a part of your life. At the end of the day, it is really a gift that you are giving to yourself. To achieve your goal demands some commitment on your part and you really need to be dedicated to it, no matter the circumstances. Take daily action towards your goal. It will help you to keep your goal alive and not fall back into a habit of writing your goals on a piece of paper and never achieving them. The best way to keep the momentum going is to think of your goal constantly and doing something about it every day. (Or at least 5 days a week). You can do it!!
Action:
Take some post it notes and write down the action of the day you want to accomplish.
Post it everywhere visible in your house and your car. Know the best time you are the most productive and alert for that particular action and try to stick to that time as much as possible.
4. Are my actions simple and light or complicated and heavy?
Although, I believe it is essential to push yourself. I think it is important at first not to ask too much of yourself, you will be more likely to become worn out, discouraged and will end up quitting.
The more complicated your action is, the less likely you will want to dive into it. If it is too overwhelming, you will procrastinate. Take baby steps towards your goal if you feel overwhelmed or scared. Do not try to do everything at once. The key here is to build successes and keep the momentum going. The more successes you are going to achieve, the bigger the steps you are going to do. Successes build successes. Be kind to yourself.
Action:
Set a timer. It will help you to stay focus for that assigned time and you can monitor yourself to keep track of your progress.You can increase as you go along. Keep it short. 10 minutes to 20 minutes to start. As you become comfortable, you know it is time to increase the time.
5. Do I have someone to hold me accountable?
The majority of people meet with failure because of their lack of persistence in sticking to their plan of action. Why? Because, they are alone, they do not have a support in place.
Have a friend you can call at the beginning and at the end of the day to report. Send pictures of your work. If your goal is going to the gym, then send a picture of yourself at the gym. If it is to declutter your desk, send a before and after picture. If you know that you have to report to someone, you will be more likely to do it.
Action:
Find a friend who would be willing to become your accountability partner or search the guidance and support of a professional coach.
6. Is my environment supporting my goal?
This is one that people do not think about. However it is really crucial if you want to persist in your action. What do I mean? Let's take the example of a person who wants to lose weight and keep having junk food all over her/his house. Is the environment supporting the goal? No.
Try to put yourself in an environment that is going to be in alignment with your goal.
Action:
Scan your environment and make an inventory about the changes you need to make. If you are self employed and it is difficult for you to work from home, it might be a good idea to find another place, like going to the library for example.
7. Am I having fun?
Most and for all in order to persist you need to enjoy what you are doing. Make a game of your daily action. Innovate, create new ways of getting into action.The worst thing that could happen is being bored. Spice up your game. Change your routine to prevent monotony. Be bold and have fun!!!
Action:
If your goal is to exercise daily for example. Alternate what you are doing. Go to a zumba class one day, go for a walk another, lift weight another, etc...Reward yourself. Celebrate your wins.
Remember : "You don't have to be great to take action, but you have to take action to be great"
Isabelle is the founder of Break Free Live Complete. As a life Transformation Coach she helps women entrepreneurs and mothers who are struggling to move forward in their life and their business. Isabelle helps her clients recognize their old habits, limiting beliefs, and mental blocks in order to set them free, let go of the no I can't, to the yes I can, reconnect with their true self and tap into their greatness. As the results of her coaching, Isabelle’s clients feel whole, complete and unstoppable.
Isabelle can be reached at : isabellefeyfant@gmail.com
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