5 Ways To Make Goal-Setting Not Just Something You Say, But Something You Do

We all have goals and dreams, but what stops some of us from actually achieving  our intentions?  I feel like there can be a fine line between success and failure, many of us never making the jump into what we want, where we want to be, and who we want to become. Why can’t we seem to reach the next level? We all know about goal setting and we all hear about it, and a very small percentage actually practice the art of intention, but even then we fall short at times.  For this month of #thefalifeINSPIRES, we are talking goals, and I am going to give you five strategies I use to turn my goals into not just something I say, but something I do.  Are you ready to join me on the journey?

1. Find Your “Why” 

Why do you really want to achieve this goal? What is driving you? What is the reason this goal even came into play? Your “why” is what is going to fuel your passion, your goals, and lead you to your dreams. You need to know first why you want to accomplish this goal. Your “why” is your purpose. Without this piece of the puzzle, you won’t be able to push yourself through the moments when all isn’t going so smoothly (Because, sorry to break it to you, it’s not always gonna be easy). Without your “why,” your “how” is nonexistent because your goals become gray areaa; they become wishes. Put pride aside and find your true why. Your how will then fall into place naturally.

2. Write Them Down 

A goal is just a wish until you write it on paper. That is right! Put it on paper. Write out your goal.  Circle it.  Highlight it.  Date it.  Kiss it.  Whatever you need to do to mark it into your life, but write it down! There is something about writing down your goals that forces you to be clear on what it is that you are reaching for.  It forces you to step out of the comfort zone of thoughts into a physical realm of seeing what you want.

3. Review Goals Daily

This is where you need focus.  Writing down your goals is an absolutely necessary step, but reviewing the goals every single day keeps them in the forefront of your life.  Writing them down makes you see what you want, but now you need to be committed so that you will live out your goals and live out what you say you will do. Review your goals DAILY. When I wake up in the morning, I like to start my day reviewing my goals while I have my morning Spark. Why? This gives me motivation on how not only my day will look, but also how I envision (remember #VISION from May?) my weeks and months to come. We all have those mornings where we just start out on the wrong foot. By reviewing your goals, this will give you the leading edge to help get you through your day.  It reminds you to look past the grind and you remember why you are working so hard. Even when life just doesn’t seam to be playing in your favor, you now have a road map of where you are going and why you are going there.

4. Set Reminders

On the aircraft, we have reminders everywhere. Think about it. Federal Aviation Regulations require your compliance with all cabin crew instructions, lighted information signs, and posted placards. Now, when you hit turbulence you know that you should have your seatbelt on, right? You know that you should be wearing your seatbelt, BUT once that lighted information sign illuminates that clarifies that you in fact do NEED your seatbelt on. It is of course common sense to fasten your seatbelt, but sometimes we forget the obvious and need a little reminder. Create your own “placards” so to speak. I love to keep little reminders in my suitcase or on my phone when I am traveling. One of my more recent goals was to go to Switzerland. I wrote it, circled it, dated it, etc. I set a picture on my phone screen of the Swiss alps so that when I was flying way too many hours this month (133 to be exact) and having a bad day, I had a little reminder as to WHY I was flying so much. It gave me a little boost to get me through my day. I am a visual learner, so this allows me to physically see where I am going.

5. Celebrate Your Victories 

There is nothing more freeing than to be able to cross a goal off of that piece of paper.  Now CELEBRATE your victory.  Although you haven’t crossed off your other goals, that is OK, because in life, you won’t cross them all off.  Your goals should continue to grow and will change and adapt as you change and adapt.  The moment you cross off all of your goals is the moment you should be worried. New goals will always be put on your paper. Celebrate the ones you have achieved and then keep moving forward. Just remember that you have to fail in order to succeed.  Keep in mind that with big risks, come big rewards.  Take a risk and fight for your goals and ambitions no matter how many times you fail. Once you get back on your feet and continue to fight for your goals, you will be able to cross them off and for that, you need to celebrate.

One of my recent goals I celebrated was finishing flight attendant training. Although I had done it before, I was scared because if I failed, I would no longer have the job of my dreams.  I went to training.  I did fail a test, but I continued to fight until the final round which is why I earned those shiny wings with my name written on them.  I celebrated my victory with a full day off to relax on the water with good food and good people, (but more importantly good food because I am a fat kid in the heart) HA.

Find your why. Grab a piece of paper. Write down your goals, review those goals daily, remind yourself of your goals, and then celebrate. This is my strategy that works for me, and I know it will work for you as well.  Just remember that no dream should be left unachieved. You are worth more than all of the money in the world, therefore you should live the life that you deserve. No matter what your background, no matter what your limitations are, no matter what someone has told you that you can’t do it, just remember YOU ARE WORTH IT.  God has molded each of us in our own unique way. Trust what He is calling you to do.   Now what are you waiting for? Let’s get to work.

Fly Safe!
Griffin