For instance, let’s say you want to learn how to play guitar. You might spend 15 minutes reading about chords and trying to put your hands in the correct position. If your goal is to make pottery, you might spend 15 minutes learning the terms you’ll need or playing around with a small ball of clay.
For instance, let’s say your goal is to lose weight. You might first decide you want to lose 25 pounds. You could do weekly weigh-ins to chart your progress and may set a timeline of 1 year. Similarly, you might want to start a YouTube channel. You might set a goal to post 1 new video each week. You could chart your progress by keeping track of how often you post and how many views you get.
As an example, let’s say you want to write a novel. Your smaller steps might be to plan your story, create an outline, write a first draft, ask for feedback, make revisions, and write a second draft. If you want to re-decorate your bedroom, your smaller steps might be to pick a theme, choose colors, draw out a plan, paint your walls, buy new items, arrange your furniture, and put out the decor.
For instance, let’s say you want to be a singer. Your list might include things like, “sing karaoke in public,” “audition for a musical at the community theater,” “post a singing video online,” and “attend a singing workshop. ” Similarly, let’s say your goal is to climb a mountain. Your list of challenges might include, “go indoor rock climbing,” “run bleachers,” and “lift weights with a trainer. "
For instance, let’s say your goal is to run a marathon. It’s unfair to you to compare yourself to someone who’s been running marathons for years because they’ve had longer to work on it. Similarly, it’d be unfair to you to compare yourself to your friend who has a thriving business, as that wasn’t your goal.
For example, let’s say you want to start eating a plant-based diet. Don’t focus your attention on cutting out meat. Instead, pick plant-based meals and snacks. Similarly, let’s say you want to decrease how often you play video games so you can work out more. Don’t worry about how long you’re playing the games. Instead, schedule in your workouts and focus on reaching that goal.
In your home, you might remove temptations like unhealthy food or clutter. Similarly, you might put up your gaming system so you have to hook it up to play. While you’re working, you might put your phone on silent so the notifications won’t distract you or you might unplug your TV.
Lay out your gym clothes to remind you to workout. Set up your laptop and book outline to cue you to write. Put healthy foods in the front of your refrigerator so you grab them first. Keep your musical instrument out on a stand or table so it’s easy to practice.
Recruit an accountability partner. Tell the people in your life about your goal. Sign up for class or activity related to your goal. Post about your progress online.
For instance, you might give yourself 15 minutes of video game time after working on a goal. Similarly, you might buy yourself a new item related to your goal if you complete all of your practice sessions for the week.
For instance, you might decide to practice 4 times per week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Don’t try to do all of your practice on 1 day. It’s better to do 15-30 minutes of practice 4 days a week than to do 4 hours of practice all in one day.
It may help to turn off distractions, like your phone or the TV, if you can. If you live with family or roommates, ask them to not bother you while you’re doing your practice.
For example, let’s say you’re trying to run a marathon. Changes you might make include running on a different terrain, switching routes, running with a partner, running on an incline, or cross training. If your goal is to write a novel, you might move to a new work space, try listening to music, or try incorporating a prompt into your idea.
Let’s say you’re trying to get your art in a local gallery. Your parents likely can’t give you good feedback about your art, but an art teacher or gallery owner can. Similarly, let’s say you want to be the chef at your own restaurant. Ask a fellow chef to rate your recipes or invite the foodies in your life to a test dinner.
It’ll likely take hard work and lots of practice before you’re good at what you’re trying to do. Don’t give up! You can get good at something if you keep at it.
For example, let’s say your goal is to run a marathon, but you’re feeling burnt out with your workout plan. You might start over with a totally new training plan. Similarly, let’s say you want to write a novel but you hate what you’ve written. It’s okay to start a new draft. Just keep going!
Put a star on your calendar for days you work on your goal. Post progress pics online. Tell your friend about your progress. Keep a goal diary to track what you’re doing. Keep a list of your milestone accomplishments.
For instance, if you want to run a marathon, you might celebrate each time you finish a shorter race, such as 5k, 10k, and half-marathon runs.
Tell yourself things like, “I can do this,” “I’m making so much progress,” and “I can do anything I set my mind to. ” If you catch yourself thinking something like, “This is too hard,” challenge it. Tell yourself, “I’ve done hard things in the past, and I can do this, too. ”
Consider spending less time with people who try to bring you down. If someone doesn’t support your goals, they likely aren’t a good friend for you.
For example, let’s say you audition for a role in a play but don’t get picked. You might talk to the director to find out how your audition could be better. Similarly, you might try to run a marathon but not be able to finish. This experience might make you realize you need to change your training regimen.
