I used to work with someone who used a vision board to remind her of her goals. This was a board pinned with images of things that she wanted to achieve – a car and house along with pictures of her children. It was her way of visualising her end goal (and reminding her of why she was slogging away at her job). This is not something that I have tried, but some say that having this visual reminder can be helpful. What I personally think is important is having an emotional connection to your goals; knowing why they are important to you. This will serve as that reminder when you feel your motivation falter.

SMART

Most people will be aware of SMART goals: setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timebound. This can be useful, but for someone like me who has a bit more of a relaxed approach to the big things in life, they aren’t always motivating. That said, one of my most successful goal-based exercises involved losing weight in three weeks because I realised that I was 11 lbs too heavy to do a charity skydive! So sometimes having that fixed deadline and measurable progress can work.

Any long-term plan is only possible by making short term progress. As the Chinese proverb says ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’ and taking that first step is the most important. Equally important is maintaining that momentum and not allowing yourself to be dispirited if you hit bumps in the road or if you make a false start.

Stumbling blocks

Very few people get to where they want to be without hitting a few stumbling blocks, it’s just that most people broadcast their successes but remain silent on their failures. Forming habits (or breaking others) that contribute towards achieving your goal can be helpful. I listened to a great audiobook a few years ago called Atomic Habits by James Clear. This book is about making or breaking habits to effect a change and unlike many books of this type, is full of practical suggestions – far more up my street than journalling, affirmations or manifestation (not to say that these don’t work well for some). Clear also sends out a free weekly email with three quotes from his book and two from others, as well as posing a question for reflection. I’d strongly recommend these: https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1

Sharing

As well as thinking about what you can do, speaking to other people and sharing your goals can be helpful. It helps make you accountable, but you also may be able to learn from others. It can help with the reality check too of whether your goals are achievable within your timeframe. Having previously faced goals that were simply unachievable, I know just how demotivating and unhealthy that can be. Avoiding setting yourself up to fail is vital – this may mean adjusting your timescales rather than abandoning your goal completely.

With all this in mind, I have set myself a goal of getting in better shape physically and mentally in 2024. My steps towards success start with a chiropractor appointment, signing up for Run1000 and walking more through January, as well as getting a health MOT at the Hywel Davies lorry. I have blocked out one morning each week as catch-up time with no meetings to help combat feeling overwhelmed and I have lunches with friends and some time away to look forward to. I plan to use the Happify app to help track my progress. I want to end by posing you a question: do you have goals and are they still fit for purpose?