Achieving Your Goals

Hi, I’m Hillary, a stay-at-home mom of two, soon to be three boys. Thanks Joyce for the opportunity to be a guest blogger! Joyce suggested I talk a little about goals, which I’m passionate about. This is the perfect time to do so, since we’re all starting fresh with a whole new year before us!

If you’ve already broken your New Year’s resolutions, don’t worry, you can still start over! 

First, pick one realistic goal. Most people have an easy time coming up with things they want to achieve, the hard part is being realistic and having the gumption to keep trying after a failure. If you’re new to goal setting, and especially if you’re new to goal keeping, I suggest you start out with one goal. We all have plenty of areas to work on, but we can’t work on everything. Once you get the knack of truly accomplishing one goal, you can add more.

Second, WRITE IT DOWN! A goal really isn’t a goal if you just keep it in your head. And it must be specific enough that you can measure it and set a date to accomplish it by.

Example:    I want to lose weight. Not specific!

                   Lose 5 pounds. Still not specific enough!

                   Lose 5 pounds by February 14^th. Ah, now 

                   there is a specific goal.

Third, write down the ways you plan to accomplish your goal.

                           Lose 5 pounds by February 14th by:

1.       Cutting out all drinks except low-fat milk and water

2.       Running three times a week

3.       Having a piece of fruit or a vegetable before eating any dessert

And Fourth, you need to find a way to remind yourself regularly throughout the time allotted for the goal. You can do this by:

• Finding a friend or family member to check in with once a week
• Writing about it on your blog
• Taping it to your fridge with a check mark system (who doesn’t like checking things off?)

Just some way that keeps you thinking about it throughout the time so you don't forget and then feel discouraged. 

Remember to be realistic! I think that is one of the most important parts of setting goals. I think we all know whether we are truly ready to commit to a goal or not. Otherwise you’ll give up on the goal, and we don’t want that!

And at the end of the goal, find a way to celebrate. I believe the best reward is to share it with someone and say, “I did it!” and let them celebrate with you. Have a dance party with your kids, watch your favorite movie, or take half an hour to relax. You’ve earned it!

I love this quote from President Monson: "Courage is required to make an initial thrust toward one’s coveted goal, but even greater courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to achieve."

Now what are you waiting for? Start a new goal today!