There Is a Recipe for Achieving Your Goals

Goals — we all have them but few actually achieve them. What can I do to achieve my goals? There is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding this question. On the one hand, it is logical that this is the case since it sounds very general and abstract when first heard. However, a thing that I personally learned the hard way is that although the goals of each and every person are different, the way that we can begin working towards our dreams is the same for all of us.

Be sure what your goals are

It may sound trivial at first but this couldn’t be further from the truth. One of the main reasons many people come short when it comes to reaching their dreams is that they do not actually know what their dreams are.

Seriously, ask yourself.

“What would make me happy in life?”

And be as precise as possible. Preciseness is important. There is no room for generalities now, this is ours lives we are talking about. From a successful career and a wealthy lifestyle to a happy family and mental health, try to elaborate.

For example, if you think that a successful career would fulfill you try to be more specific.

“Do I want to be CEO of a company? Or am I content with a high salary? Is social prestige important to me?”

These are only a few of the questions that you should be asking yourself. Know what you want and know it well.

Make a detailed plan

Once you are certain about your goals make a plan on how to achieve them. Be sure to include many steps in this plan or else you will find yourself against a seemingly impossible challenge. Any task is doable if you break it down into smaller and less complicated mini-tasks.

Suppose that you want to be able to complete a marathon which is approximately 42 kilometers. Sure, it may seem a bit daunting at first but that should not deter you. A good starting point would be to incorporate running into your lifestyle on a daily basis. Start small— from 1 to 5 or 6 kilometers depending on your current physique — and aim for five or more times a week.

Moreover, you could try improving your diet by adding high-nutrient foods and other natural supplements. Fixing your sleep schedule would be a smart idea as well. As time passes, you can begin building on your progress. Add some kilometers to your running distance, try to lose some weight, eat ever healthier, etc. By following these simple steps your initial dream suddenly becomes reachable.

Work hard, work with iron discipline

One widespread misconception is that you have to be a work maniac so as to have a chance to achieve your goals. Again, this is not true. It is much more efficient to work only part of the day but work really hard and be concentrated during this time.

Suppose that you are in college, you are very passionate about your academic major and you want to be top of the class. This doesn’t mean that you should give up other aspects of your life such as social life and working out just to name two. For example, let’s say that classes may end for you at 4 pm on Wednesdays and that you have plans with some friends of yours at 9 30.

If you are really committed to being one the best then you can return home, make something to eat, rest for half an hour and then study until you have to go out. And study like you mean it. This would ensure a 4-hour study during a day which is more than enough for most people to obtain a high GPA.

“But what does it mean to work hard?”

It means to work with passion and with absolutely no distractions. Put that phone down, stop checking your Instagram and Facebook notifications and start working towards your dreams. You don’t have to work all day. But that time you spend working, give it a hundred and ten percent of you.

Be consistent

Consistency is the key to success. You have to be consistent if you want to improve. There are no shortcuts in life and no easy ways to achieve your goals. You have to be present every day trying for your self-actualization.

Bodybuilders don’t go to the gym one time a week. They are there every day trying their best to achieve their dream physique. Exercising or studying one hour a day every day is far superior to exercising or studying 7 hours in one single day. The same goes for everything.

You cannot expect to become good in anything if you rarely put effort into it. There is nothing that can replace consistency. No matter how many hours you work one single day, it will not make up for the fact that you didn’t work the rest.

Know your limits

Don’t be afraid to dream big but do so only when you know your limits. Not all of us can be the next Usain Bolt. No matter how many hours we put into it, it is simply not possible from a genetic standpoint. But that does not mean that you still shouldn’t try.

Knowing your limits isn’t about restraining your dreams, it is about making peace with the fact that some of these dreams may not actually come true. And that’s fine.

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land among the stars -Les Brown

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One final thing I would like to say to you at this point is the following. Don’t let yourself be influenced by the opinion of others. Most people avoid chasing their dreams because they are afraid of what other people will think of them.

Well, here is a good piece of advice you should know.

No one cares about what you are doing.

People are too busy with their own lives to actually spend time pondering over what you could be doing right now.

So, why do you care so much about others? Just go out there and be the best version of yourself because yourself is the only one you have when no one else is there.

Stay happy.

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This post was previously published on medium.com.

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