4 Ways To Get Your Shit Together To Kick Ass In 2018

Look, we all know goals are important – they give us focus, direction, and people who set goals are 10 times more successful than people who don’t. But if you’ve been beating yourself up for not following through on your New Year’s resolutions and goals, you’re not alone: 92% of people who set New Year’s goals don’t reach them. Yikes.

So how do you actually set goals that you’re going to stick with so you can get the results you want? First, let me assure you that nothing’s wrong with you. Motivation and goals are a huge struggle for most people, and the ones who really get it done don’t necessarily have better willpower, sometimes they just have a couple extra tools.

Here are 4 tips that will help you actually get shit done and totally slay 2018:

1. Break your goals down into achievable mini goals.

I once heard this totally gross phrase: “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” It kind of makes me sick but it also creates an incredible visual of how we take down massive goals or intimidating challenges in our lives. One small step at a time. It makes it so much easier to get started when you feel like you just have one small thing to accomplish instead of some murky Mt Everest of a goal. Speaking of Mt Everest – did you know when you climb big mountains, you actually can’t even see the top when you start? You pretty much can only see the top when you get to the top. You goals are kind of that way too – you may not be able to see the end, but you can visualize it, and keep taking one step forward until you get all the way there.

2. Celebrate the small wins.

So crucial, you guys! Too many of you are hitting goals (big + small) and then zipping forward to the next thing without ever taking a minute to appreciate what you just did. It sucks all the enjoyment and gratitude – and self confidence to be honest – out of you. Acknowledge yourself and your efforts along the way and you’ll be amazed how much motivation it gives you.

3. Know why you even want to achieve the goal.

This seems so basic but most of us don’t take the time to do it! The new year comes up and we’re all “I want to lose 15 pounds,” “I want to run a half marathon,” “I want to make more money.” Ok… but why? Because your friends are all doing it? Because you think it sounds cool? Because you think it’s what you should do? You’re going to need a more compelling reason. Here’s the cool part: it doesn’t have to be some lofty reason, it can literally be “I want to make more money so I can afford to buy that purse I’ve been dreaming about,” or “I want to lose 15 pounds so I can get into those skinny jeans I haven’t worn in 3 years.” The important part about this goal is that it really speaks to you – it doesn’t have to say deep things.

4. Get a friend or coach to hold you accountable.

So here’s the deal – a lot of us are motivated by other people instead of strictly internally. A lot of you judge yourselves for it, and think that “good people” are completely motivated from within. It’s just not true, ok? It’s an excuse that is holding you back. Go ahead and build up a support system that’s going to check in with you and give you the tough love and/or brutal honesty you occasionally need.