Alright, be honest with me…
Have you ever set a goal or made a resolution that you didn’t keep?
If you are anything like me, you probably have…more than once.
Now, before we start feeling bad about previously abandoned goals, let me remind you: the past does not have to be repeated in the future. With the proper strategies and tools in place, you can have a different outcome. You CAN achieve your goals!
What’s the “secret sauce” to goal achievement, you ask? The easiest and surest path to success?
Truthfully, there isn’t one magic step that will guarantee you results, but rather a series of intentional choices and strategies that will make your goal achievement possible.
For the purposes of this blog post, we are going to give into ONE critical strategy that will help you to actually achieve your goals:
YOU MUST TRACK YOUR PROGRESS.
Why is this important?
Most of the goals we “abandon” are not short-term goals (ex. ADD EXAMPLES). In reality, we are far more likely to give up the pursuit of long-term goals (ex. Losing weight, adding to your income, etc.) because:
- Success feels far away
- Your initial motivation and energy inevitably wear off
- You aren’t sure if our efforts are “doing anything”
How do you combat these common pitfalls?
You guessed it…Track your progress.
Progress monitoring allows you to identify whether or not your efforts and energy are producing results. If they are, GREAT! Keep going! If not, you have the chance to tweak and adjust your approach as needed.
I know what you’re thinking… “Great Sarah, but HOW do practically go about tracking my progress?”
Great question!
Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Identify WHAT information you need to track:
What information will help you to measure whether or not you are moving forward towards your goal?
For example, if you set a goal to “get in shape” this year, what are the important factors that influence your progress? Should you track changes in your weight? Frequency of exercise? Calories consumed?
Choose 2-3 important and measurable factors that you will use to monitor your progress. - Create a tracking system that works for you:
There is more than one way to keep track of your data. For the “number crunchers” among us, you may enjoy putting together data spreadsheets and tables that allow you to easily record and track your benchmark data. If this is you…I admire you!
If you’re anything like me, you prefer the “simpler is better” approach!
Have you ever heard of the Seinfeld Strategy?
Yes…it is in fact named after (and created by) the famous comedian, Jerry Seinfeld. Thanks, Jerry! The Seinfeld Strategy is a simple method for measuring consistency as you work towards your goals.
For each day that you complete a certain goal-oriented task (ex. Daily runs if your goal is to run a marathon or 30 minutes of writing time if you are working on a book) simply mark an X on your calendar.
Yes! Tracking your progress can be that simple.
Whatever system you choose to use, make sure it is easy to manage and sustainable for long-term use.
- Choose your tools:
What tools or technology will you need to make tracking your progress easier and more efficient?
For some, this may include software programs or apps designed to help you keep track of goal-oriented data. There are plenty of apps out there designed with specific goals in mind (ex: health-related goals, reading goals, limiting screen time, etc.) and other apps created to be compatible with any general goal.
For others, measuring your progress may require no more than a calendar and a nice red pen.
Take some time today to reflect on these tips and outline your strategy.
AND…. IF YOU’D LIKE HELP with creating a stress-free plan for your team or organization, join our Stress-Free Strategic Planning 5-Day Challenge, January 25-29.
We’ll see you alongside other intentional leaders inside the Challenge!
Article was contributed by: Maria Lees, Team Writer with Sarah Boxx
