Have you ever noticed how the bright sun in the early spring gives everyone a bit of pep in their step?  It’s a great time of year to take a step back, reflect on your goals and recommit to achieving them! These 5 simple tips can help you maximize your effort while improving your success in achieving your goals.

1. Write down the ‘why’?

You may have heard the statistic – people who write down their goals have an 80% higher success rate. Writing down a goal makes it more concrete. But, you can take that an extra step and write down the why. What’s motivating you to have that goal? Why is it important? Capture the passion that’s behind you wanting your goal. On the days that it’s hard to get going, reread your why and keep going!

2. Break your bigger goal into smaller milestones.

Programs like Couch to 5K are so successful because they take a big goal, running a 5K, and break the steps into very achievable building blocks. What smaller steps can you break your bigger goal into so that you can make consistent steady progress? Identify a few next steps you can take that move you in the direction of your goal but can be accomplished in the next two weeks.

3. Make an appointment with yourself.

Schedule time to accomplish your goal. If you’re a morning person, set your alarm clock for 30 minutes early on the days you’ve scheduled. Use that time to work on your progress. If you’re an evening person, block of time later in the day. The important thing is to schedule time in your week as though it were an appointment. The blocks of time you set aside will be stepping stones for your progress.

4. Reassess, learn, regroup.

Each week or two pause and check your progress. What’s working? What’s not? Don’t beat yourself up if you’ve slipped but rather assess what’s been working, what hasn’t, adapt, adjust, and move forward with the valuable lesson you’ve just learned.

5. Rinse, wash, and repeat.

When you’ve reached your goal, celebrate, [pray about what’s next, and then begin again. Continue to grow, learn, adapt, and reach for your next goal. The discipline of working on your goals can become second nature.

How do you stay motivated to stay on track with your goals? Are you setting new goals for the spring and summer, or continuing on your resolutions? I’d love to hear what’s working for you!