Stop Letting Yourself Down: How to Actually Achieve Your Goals

Summary

In this video, Izzy shares seven evidence-based strategies to help you achieve your goals and stay motivated. Drawing from her personal experiences, including challenges while studying and working full-time, she explains the importance of setting specific, realistic goals, breaking them into manageable steps, and tracking progress. Additionally, she emphasizes the power of visualization, the value of writing down goals, and the benefits of having an accountability buddy. By making these small yet impactful changes to how you approach your goals, you can overcome setbacks and build lasting success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Be specific and realistic with your goals. Instead of vague targets like 'learning a language,' set clear, measurable objectives such as 'achieving a B2 level in French by year-end.'
• 😀 Break down large goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Create a timeline and track your progress to make the goal feel less daunting.
• 😀 Shift your mindset to avoid all-or-nothing thinking. Small progress is still progress, and setbacks are a normal part of the journey.
• 😀 Visualize your future self to overcome the temptation of instant gratification. Seeing yourself as successful in the future can make the goal feel more immediate and emotionally engaging.
• 😀 Writing down your goals increases the likelihood of achieving them. Studies show that those who write their goals down are far more likely to succeed.
• 😀 Set up accountability. Having an accountability buddy or a community to check in with regularly can boost motivation and keep you on track.
• 😀 Understand that setbacks are part of the process. Embrace failures as learning experiences and don't let them derail your overall goal.
• 😀 Use the power of visualization to combat delayed gratification. By picturing yourself in the future, you’ll be more likely to stay committed to long-term goals.
• 😀 Create a clear, distraction-free environment. Reducing visual clutter can help improve focus and reduce cognitive overload when pursuing your goals.
• 😀 Prioritize your goals based on their relevance and feasibility. Be honest with yourself about your current circumstances and adjust your goals accordingly.
• 😀 Remember that consistency is key. Stay committed, track your progress, and make adjustments to your approach if needed, but never give up on your goal.

Q & A

What is a common reason people fail to achieve their New Year's resolutions?

A common reason people fail is due to a lack of consistency and motivation. Studies show that two-thirds of people give up on their resolutions within the first month, often because the goals set are too broad, unrealistic, or difficult to maintain.

How can being specific with your goals improve your chances of success?

Being specific with your goals helps create a clear target to work toward. Instead of vague goals like 'learn a language,' you should set concrete targets, such as 'achieve a B2 level in French by the end of the year,' which makes the goal more measurable and actionable.

Why is it important to ensure goals are realistic given your current circumstances?

Ensuring goals are realistic based on your current situation is key to avoiding overwhelm. Setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration, as seen in the speaker’s experience with trying to learn Chinese while balancing medical exams and a new job.

What is the benefit of breaking down larger goals into smaller tasks?

Breaking down large goals into smaller, manageable tasks helps reduce feelings of being overwhelmed. It also allows for clearer progress tracking and more achievable milestones, maintaining motivation and focus over time.

How can visualization help in achieving long-term goals?

Visualization combats the psychological issue of delayed discounting, where long-term goals feel less rewarding. By visualizing your future self achieving the goal, you can make the goal more emotionally activating and increase your motivation to work toward it.

What role does writing down goals play in achieving them?

Writing down goals has been shown to increase the likelihood of success. A study by Dr. Gail Matthews found that people who wrote down their goals and set action commitments were more satisfied and successful in achieving their goals compared to those who did not.

Why is accountability important for achieving goals?

Accountability provides support, motivation, and structure. Having an accountability buddy or check-in system ensures that you stay on track and are encouraged to keep moving forward, which can significantly increase the chances of success.

What is 'failing with abandon,' and why is it harmful?

'Failing with abandon' refers to the mindset of giving up entirely on a goal after a small setback. This approach is harmful because it discourages progress, and instead of continuing with even partial efforts, people often give up completely.

How can clearing physical space enhance focus and goal achievement?

Clearing physical space reduces cognitive distractions and helps create a more focused environment for goal pursuit. Studies suggest that a cluttered environment can lead to mental distractions, making it harder to stay focused and achieve goals.

What are some tools or methods to track progress toward goals?

Tools like bullet journals, Excel spreadsheets, and apps such as Notion can be used to track progress. These methods allow you to organize your goals, set timelines, and measure your achievements in a systematic way.