Tis the season for increased goal setting! It’s the New Year, and everyone’s wanting to make some changes. The reality though? Change is hard. So if you want to stay on track with your goals, there are a few things you need to do. And today, I’m sharing two, critical questions that you absolutely need to ask if you really want to stick to your goals. Watch below for the full scoop!
How many times have you set a goal or resolution, only to break it a week later? How often have you said you were serious about making a change, but then hit an obstacle and felt completely derailed?
Chances are, if you’ve attempted to make a change, then you know just how hard change can be. Seriously, shifting a habit can feel excruciating, as our brains attempt to relearn and rewire all sorts of connections. If you want to stay on track with your goals, you probably know the importance of setting a clear, observable, and measurable goal. And you probably know the importance of having a plan. And that’s certainly a good start. But it’s not enough.
If you want to stay on track with your goals, you absolutely have to ask yourself these two, critical questions.
- What possible barriers/obstacles could come up?
- What am I going to do in these situations to stay on track?
These two questions are absolutely essential if you want to stay on track with your goals. Absolutely and totally essential. And here’s why.
Barriers will pop up. Obstacles will arise. Things will frequently go unaccording to plan. And it’s not if, it’s when. Because that’s just life. Things happen. So if you want to stay on track with your goals, you’ve got to anticipate what those obstacles might be and how you’ll respond when they happen.
Let’s look at an example. Say you want eat healthier. (That seems to be a popular one this time of year.) You’ve identified your goal, you’ve done your research, and you have a plan in place. Now, ask yourself that first question, “What possible barriers/obstacles could come up?” Think of all the things that could get in your way of eating healthier.
Let’s say that part of your plan is to pack a lunch for work. One barrier might be that you’re rushed in the morning and don’t have time to pack a lunch. Or maybe you pack your lunch but forget it on the counter at home. When this happens, what is your plan for staying on track? Grabbing a burger and fries or partaking in the office pizza probably won’t cut it.
So come up with a plan. Find a restaurant near your office that has healthy options. If you can’t leave for lunch, find a place that delivers. Make a healthy meal ahead of time and leave it in the breakroom freezer for this occasion. Put a box of healthy protein bars in your desk and then add a piece or fruit and a handful of nuts from the convenience store on the corner.
Think about the potential barriers that could come up, and get a plan in place for when they do. This way, when obstacles pop up, you don’t have to stress. You don’t have to make a split decision in a moment of weakness or panic. You’re already prepared for the situation you’re in. You already know what to do.
It’s easy to stay on track with your goals when everything’s going well. It’s all good when the conditions are ideal. But it won’t always be that way. Stuff will happen. Obstacles will pop up. So get prepared ahead of time. Brainstorm what barriers might pop up, and get some good options in mind for how you’ll respond when they do.
Of course, you won’t be able to anticipate every possible barrier, but you’ll be able to identify the big ones. You’re much more likely to stay on track if you’ve got a plan A, B, and C, ready to go.
If you want to stay on track with your goals, ask yourself these two, critical questions. “What possible barriers/obstacles could come up” and “What am I going to do in these situations to stay on track?
What goal are you working on right now? What possible obstacles might pop up, and what can you do in those situations to stay on track?
PS: Want more tips for how to stay on track and make your goals happen? Check out this post. It includes one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten!
