Realistic Goal Setting for an Improved Quality of Life
Hello, and welcome, Neighbor. Achieving your goals and avoiding falling into the New Year’s resolution pit of despair can be accomplished through incremental, realistic goal setting. Learning methods of setting realistic goals and understanding the “misunderstandings” involved in lifestyle change will be the key to your success. Today, we will focus on the importance of realistic goal setting and introduce you to one potential pitfall known as the GI Joe Fallacy.
Only you can stop the chaos and poor lifestyle choices you have found yourself making. Remember, yesterday and the decisions you made are in the past. Whether they remain there or become part of your future is your choice. Avoiding overnight expectations will help you avoid giving up on your desired change. You didn’t become snarred by poor lifestyle choices overnight and you can’t undo them overnight.
The Realistic goal setting category is dedicated to helping you create wins, and build upon your successes and it all starts with realistic goal setting.
Only You Can Stop the Chaos
Are you ready to improve or change areas of your life? Now is not the time to fill yourself with doubts. The change you desire is possible through education, dedication, and consistency. Most of all, change is possible through hope. You must see, feel, and believe change is possible. Setting goals is easy, but sticking to and achieving them is where the real challenge lies. However, you can accomplish anything with the right mindset and approach!
Very few things, if anything, happen in a vacuum. Our life is built upon the combination of good and poor decisions. When we drift of course it is vital we set realistic goals to get us back on track. This can be more challenging than we might believe. For example, we know poor lifestyle choices can lead to diabetes, obesity, cancer, financial ruin, and many others. However, just because we know it, does not mean environment, culture, stress, or other factors won’t prevent our lives from spiraling out of control. In comes Dr. Laurie Santos.
Even GI Joe Could Fail
From a practical standpoint, knowing what we need to do to achieve our goals is not enough to guarantee success. Dr. Laurie Santos coined the GI Joe fallacy to drive home this point: simply being aware does not automatically translate to victory. This is where the importance of realistic goal setting and stages of change comes in.
Many of us fall into this trap, thinking that knowing the steps to take will guarantee success. However, it takes more than just knowledge to achieve your goals. It requires discipline, dedication, and consistency. In the Science of Well-being course, Dr. Santos emphasizes the importance of actively practicing and implementing what we learn to see actual results.
So, how can we put this into practice? Here are some tips to help you achieve your goals and avoid failing your New Year’s resolutions:
Set realistic and specific goals:
Making them achievable and measurable is essential. Instead of setting a goal to ‘lose weight,’ set a detailed and realistic goal like ‘losing 10 pounds in 2 months’. Being specific will give you a clear target to work towards.
Create an action plan:
Once you have set your goals, create a detailed action plan with specific steps to help you stay focused and motivated. Breaking down your goals into smaller, more manageable tasks can make them less overwhelming.
Stay accountable:
Share your goals with a friend or family member or join a group or community with similar goals to keep each other motivated and on track who can support and hold you accountable.
Celebrate small victories:
It’s essential to acknowledge and celebrate your progress towards your goals, no matter how small. These victories will keep you motivated and give you a sense of accomplishment. If you were shooting for a 10-mile run and only managed. 5, kudos to you! That’s half your goal; that’s still a small win.
Don’t beat yourself up:
If you have a setback or stumble, don’t be too hard on yourself. Remember that change takes time, and it’s okay to make mistakes. Instead, focus on getting back on track and working towards your goals.
Stay positive:
A positive mindset is critical to achieving your goals. Instead of focusing on what you haven’t accomplished, focus on your progress and believe in yourself and your ability to succeed.
The Longest Journey Begins with Tiny Steps
In BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits, he demonstrates the power of small, consistent actions that lead to significant changes over time. So, instead of focusing on huge goals and making drastic changes, try breaking them down into smaller, manageable tasks.
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you slip up or have a setback. It’s important to remember that progress is not always linear, and there will be ups and downs. If change was easy, everyone would be doing it. So, be kind to yourself and use any setbacks as learning opportunities to adjust your approach and continue moving forward. Giving yourself grace and a bit of self-love can go a long way in achieving your goals.
"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit at home and think about it. Go out and get busy."
Make Progress
Progress is more important than perfection. Perfection is rarely attainable and never sustainable. So keep pushing forward despite setbacks. Let’s make our dreams a reality! Keep striving to be the best version of yourself that’s in reach and when you pull yourself to the next level, begin reaching for the next one.
For additional resources, check out my growing library I constantly refer to for guidance. You may also find my tips on New Year’s Resolutions helpful.
Thanks for reading, and remember to subscribe to never miss a post and to receive tips related to achieving your version of optimal well-being. Until then, keep on striving towards achieving your goals and never give up. Lasting success is a journey, not a destination.
