6 Goal-Setting Hacks to Help You Achieve Anything You Want in Life

By Matt Santi on November 10, 2022 - Fact checked by Dumb Little Man

by Matt Santi November 10, 2022

Like most people, you’ve probably set more New Year’s resolutions than you can count. And if you’re also like most people, you’ve probably failed to stick to most (if not all) of those resolutions. Why is that? One major reason is that many people don’t know how to set goals properly.

Luckily, some goal-setting hacks can help increase your chances of success. Please keep reading to learn all of them.

1. Make your goals specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound

It is important to set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals to achieve success. Without these guidelines, it is easy to veer off course and lose sight of what you are trying to achieve. A specific goal has a clear and defined objective, whereas a general goal is vague and nondescript.

For example, “I want to lose weight” is a general goal, whereas “I want to lose 20 pounds by June” is a specific goal. Measurable goals are those that can be quantified so that you can track your progress. Attainable goals are those that are realistic and within your reach, and relevant goals are those that are aligned with your larger objectives.

Time-bound goals are those that have a definite timeline for completion. Setting goals that meet these criteria will increase your chances of success.

In other words, your goals should meet the following criteria:
– They should be specific (not vague or general)
– They should be measurable (so you can track your progress)
– They should be achievable (within the realm of possibility)
– They should be relevant (to your life or career)
– They should have a deadline (so you can stay on track)

For example, instead of setting a goal to “lose weight,” a S.M.A.R.T goal would be “lose 10 pounds in 3 months by working out three times per week and eating healthier.” See how much more effective that is? When you set a SMART goal, you increase your chances of achieving it because you have a clear plan.

2. Write down your goals and post them where you’ll see them daily.

I am a big believer in writing down my goals and posting them in a place where I will see them every day. It keeps me focused on what I want to achieve and is a constant reminder of why I am working so hard. Whenever I see my goals, it motivates me to keep going even when things get tough.

And it also reminds me of how far I have come and how close I am to achieving my dreams. There is nothing like seeing your goals in black and white to keep you moving forward. So, if you are looking for a way to stay motivated, I would highly recommend writing down your goals and posting them where you will see them daily.

3. Create a plan of action to achieve each goal

To achieve any goal, it is important to have a plan of action. This plan should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

In other words, it should answer what you want to achieve, how you will know you have achieved it, whether it is realistic given your resources and timeline, and why this goal is important. Additionally, the plan should be flexible enough to allow for adjustments as needed. Following these guidelines can increase your chances of achieving your goals.

4. Accountability partners can help keep you on track

There’s nothing like knowing someone is counting on you to help keep you motivated. That’s why having an accountability partner can be so helpful in achieving your goals.

Having someone to check in with regularly – whether daily, weekly, or monthly – can help keep you on track and ensure you’re progressing. And if you happen to slip up, your accountability partner can be there to help encourage and support you as you get back on track.

If you’re looking for someone to help hold you accountable, consider reaching out to a friend, family member, or even a professional coach. Having someone in your corner cheering you on can make all the difference in helping you achieve your dreams.

5. Celebrate your accomplishments along the way

I was recently talking to a friend who is training for a marathon. She told me that she’s feeling good about her progress, but she’s getting discouraged because she still has a long way to go. I reminded her that it’s important to celebrate her accomplishments along the way.

Sure, she might not be able to run the entire marathon right now, but she’s come a long way from where she started. And with each new accomplishment, she’s one step closer to her goal.

The same is true in life. It’s easy to get caught up in what we haven’t accomplished yet and forget to celebrate the things we have. But if we take the time to pause and reflect on our accomplishments, we can give ourselves the motivation to keep going.

So next time you’re feeling down about your progress, take a moment to remember all the things you’ve already achieved, and it might just be the boost you need to keep going.

6. Don’t give up when things get tough – persist until you reach your goal

I firmly believe in the saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” This is because I have experienced firsthand what can happen when you give up on something important to you.

When I was in high school, I was struggling with math. It was a subject that I had always found difficult, and by junior year I was starting to fall behind. My grades were slipping, and I was starting to lose confidence in myself.

Thankfully, my parents encouraged me to seek help from a tutor. It was not easy, but with hard work and persistence, I could bring my grades up and graduate with honors. If I had given up when things got tough, I would have never reached my goal. This experience has taught me that no matter how difficult things may seem, it is important to persist until you reach your goal.

Conclusion

If you want to be successful, write down your goals and post them where you’ll see them daily. Please ensure they are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Create a plan of action to achieve each goal and find someone to hold you accountable.

Celebrate your accomplishments along the way – even if it’s just taking small steps in the right direction – and don’t give up when things get tough. Persevere until you reach your ultimate goal. What are you waiting for? Start putting these principles into practice today!