It’s a feeling I know well, and one that my clients know well too. Wanting a change can bring up a lot of different emotions inside of us--fear, excitement, doubt, hope. It’s easy to get caught up in these emotions and let ourselves sit in them for a while but, at the end of the day, only one thing will actually achieve the change we want to see: setting a goal and sticking to it.

You may have heard about creating SMART goals before. If not, the concept is that every goal you set should be…

• Specific

• Measurable

• Achievable

• Realistic

• Time-bound

Following the SMART goal formula will ensure that you have a focused goal that you will be able to hold yourself accountable to.

But what happens after you’ve set your goal?

Put your pen and paper away, it’s not time to make a to-do list, it’s time to work on your mindset. 

Many people are surprised when I say this but in order to achieve a goal, we need to prioritize our belief plan over our action plan. Remember all of those emotions that our desire for a change makes us feel? Remember how distracting they are? Now imagine yourself following through with your goal, in the mindset that you have already achieved it. Instead of being doubtful or hopeful, you are focused and confident. It’s easier to achieve your goal because, in your mind, you already have.

Having a belief plan also makes it easier to form a committed relationship with your goal. This concept is one of the most important things that I teach my clients. The idea is that you should be as devoted to and interested in your goal as you would be with your partner.

Imagine that you have a goal to lose 20lbs and, at any given moment, I were to ask you...

What is your weight loss goal?

When did you set the goal?

When will you achieve it by?

How much have you lost so far?

How much do you have left to lose?

Would you be confident that you’d be able to answer every question without looking up the answer in a weight loss journal or stepping on a scale? Just like you’d be able to rattle off your partner’s birthday, interests, and hometown, you should be able to do the same with your goal!

Being in a committed relationship with your goal also makes it easier to stick to. Just like a relationship with your partner, you don’t give up when the going gets tough. When you hit a bump in the road, you remind yourself why you’re in that relationship and think about the value that the relationship brings to your life, be it with a goal or with a person.

Of course, ultimately, the most effective way to follow through with a goal is by hiring a coach. If you are interested in working on your goal setting or follow-through, click this link to schedule your first one-on-one coaching session with me. I'm rooting for you!

Mind Your Strength,

Melanie Shmois