VITAL MOVEMENT
1) Put that Pen to the Paper
Writing down your goals can be more powerful than you
think. By putting them down on paper, you are able to
develop a clearer picture of what you plan to accomplish.
All of your focus and attention is given to
the goal, allowing you to become
clearer about what you intend to do
and solidifying your commitment.
Studies have shown that those who
write down what they plan to achieve
attain higher levels of success than
those who don’t.
2) Be S.M.A.R.T.
Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Realistic. Timely. When it
comes to your goals, all of these words should describe
your course of action to help you to attain greater success
with the tasks at hand. Many times, the causes of us failing
to reach our goals stem from the lack of methodical
planning. To prevent yourself from missing a beat, take the
time to ensure that your all of your goals are SMART so that
you aren’t repeatedly starting from scratch.
4) Don’t Beat Yourself Up
Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to the
error that counts.
-Nikki Giovanni
3) Record How You’re Doing
Keeping track of how things are developing can
help you to address what methods should stay
and which should be reconsidered. Select a
mode of tracking that is most convenient
for you, such as a journal, phone app or
accountability partner, so that you can review
all your steps as you go along.
We’re all human and beautifully flawed. From
time to time, we make mistakes and fall short of
our own expectations, and that’s okay because
our errors don’t define our future successes. If
you discover that you have missed the mark on a
specific goal, rather than dwell on what’s wrong,
set your sights on finding ways to make things
right and move forward. Not only will this save
time, but it will also allow you to feel better
about how far you’ve gone so far.
5) Celebrate Your Success
“A success is a success!” It doesn’t matter how long it took you or what obstacles
threw you off course. When you reach a goal, that is something worth celebrating.
Reflecting and rejoicing in your successes not only feels good, but it is a reminder
of the all the potential and strength you possess. Allow yourself this joy on a regular
basis so that you never lose your enthusiasm.
Carrying out the steps towards reaching a goal is a journey focused on creating a better
you. Despite its significance or difficulty, accomplishing an objective you set for
yourself fuels the fire for you wanting to achieve more. Incorporate these
steps into your plans so that you can check everything off of your 2015
to-do list effortlessly.
11 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 AFIYA MAGAZINE