In the beginning of the year, we tend to make plans and sometimes a list of goals that we want to accomplish. By the end of January, several of the first steps toward change were taken, but some of the behavioral changes are not maintained. What happens then? We work out daily during the first week of the year and stop, we start a new diet and stop, we plan to make new friends but stay at home, etc. Changing a behavior is not so difficult, but maintaining the change requires a lot of energy.
Here are some tips to help you to achieve your goals:
► Visualize yourself achieving your goal. When you visualize, you are preparing yourself for it. You are creating a mental image about your goal.
► When thinking about your goal, have a positive statement in your mind, for example: “I will spend more time with my family”, instead of “I will not arrive late at home every day!”
► Write it down or make a drawing. By doing so, you are creating a concrete image of your dream.
► Make a plan! Write down the steps that you need to take to achieve it and remember that your commitment to the plan has to be on a daily basis. Each and every day you have to spend some time to do something towards your accomplishment.
► Follow up your progress. Write down on your planner a reminder to yourself: “What have I done this week to achieve my goal?”
► Managing your energy and time is important! Evaluate constantly how much time and energy you spend on things that are not useful for you, when you should spend your energy and time to achieve your goals!
► Define your short-term goals, and long-term goals.
► Set realistic goals!
► Once you achieve your goal, enjoy it and celebrate!
Sometimes there are personal behavioral changes that a person needs to make in order to develop a more positive view of life. If you want to learn more about your personality style and the best way to achieve your own goals, you are welcome to join the group: “Enlighten your life” (in English), or “Aclare su Vida” (en Español). Groups will start in the second week of March.
Information: (309) 269-6345 or [email protected]