Keeping on top of your goals - Part 2
In my last blog, I discussed my first two points to achieving your goals. 1. visualising your goal and 2. share them with others. These help to maintain focus and momentum. There are also a couple more things you can you do to ensure the goals are not forgotten or out of reach. So let me share my next two points.
3. Break things down into bitesize chunks
So often goals don't get achieved because they are unrealistic. There is a saying "How to do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." We have to know what the overall goal is and break it down into bitesize chunks. We need stepping stones to get there. My goal for breastfeeding was to continue to feed my daughter until she was 6 months old and could begin to wean. In order to get there, I had to change my focus.
THE PLUS SIDE OF BREASTFEEDING - WONDERFUL CUDDLES
My first goal was to get to 2 months. My goal after that was 3 months, my final goal was then 6 months. As the goal begins to become a reality you can also check and re-evaluate if that is still the end point. Maybe you now want to change what the overall goal is from when you started.
So my goal for breastfeeding is 6 months but as I approach it I realise that the baby won't be fully on solids by then, so I have had to change my goal. I am going to reduce the day time feeds for when I go back to work but the new goal is to keep breastfeeding until the baby is eating three solid meals a day. Which will likely be 9 months plus. I will then reevaluate to see if I can stretch it to 12 months when I approach my 9-month completion.
4. Keep goals fluid
If they become too easy or are reaching an end, reassess if you can change them. Don't be afraid if things are taking longer than expected, just try a different method. Don't get stuck in a rut, find a new way of working. As soon as things are not working for you or they get boring you will lose focus. Change your approach in order to refocus and re-engage. This will help you to stay on top of things and not fall behind or ignore your goals. Goals need to be at the forefront of your thinking to see them become a reality.
I hope these simple points will help motivate you to look at your goals and make some simple changes in order to get back on track. Maybe put a reminder on your phone or in a calendar and ask yourself monthly, "How is the goal coming along? Can I visualise it? Have I broken it into bitesize chunks? Have I shared my progress with others? Does anything need to change?"
Keep going SmartParents. You've got this!