As we all know, January is the time of year when people try to make positive changes in their lives. However, people are quick to give up on their goals if they miss the mark. But, as the tortoise and the hare taught us, slow and steady wins the race. They say that it takes 21 days to form a habit. One thing that I know about goal setting is that it’s less intimidating when you break things down into smaller chunks. So I’d like to suggest to you my 7-Day Challenge, it’s very simple:
Step 1: Pick a goal (exercising every day, praying every day, writing every day, you get the point…).
Step 2: Put your goal in writing along with an action plan.
Step 3: Put your goal into practice for the next seven days.
Step 4: After seven days, check in and see how consistent you were. Was there anything you could do differently? Make any necessary changes.
Repeat steps 1-4 twice, and you will have put your action into practice for 21 days.
Some thoughts about goal-setting to help you along:
- Start by setting short-term goals (1-3 months). (Put it in writing.)
- Develop an action plan. (Put it in writing.) Anyone can write down a goal, but you don’t really follow through if you don’t have a plan.
- Remember that it’s okay to adjust your goals if you find that you want to go in a different direction. (This is different than abandoning your goals because they’re too difficult.)
One of my goals is to blog on a daily basis, and I’m going on my 10th straight day. Some days have been more of a challenge than others, but I’ve got just the right amount of stubbornness to keep at it. However, if I miss a day of blogging, I know not to beat myself up about it. I just get back in the saddle the next day and keep going. (Wow, did I say get back in the saddle?)
What about you? How have you accomplished goals in the past? What new goals have you set, and how do you plan to accomplish them? Are you going to try the 7-Day Challenge? If you do, be sure to post your progress here!