So many times people make unrealistic goals that are not achievable for them. This could be due to fear, fear of failure, rejection, and being undisciplined. However, if you make small and achievable goals in your life you will gain the confidence to succeed in the bigger changes you want in your life.

If you want to lose weight or just eat healthier, abruptly cutting out all the foods that you have grown accustomed to eating, very likely will backfire. Instead, try for more realistic goals for weight loss or healthy eating like incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet and eating out of a saucer instead of a large dinner plate. If you want to begin to exercise and you have not exercised in a while or not at all, start with tangible goals like walking 3x per week. If you already exercise but want to add more, try to add 5-10 minutes to your already routine.

You will be amazed at how those small changes can change your life. Having unattainable goals in dieting and exercising are just a few examples of why people fail at achieving their goals. This can apply to any positive changes you want to accomplish. Start making small changes and eventually, you will work your way toward the bigger changes.

Habits can form quickly, good or bad habits. You can make the desired changes in your life as you stay on a continual path of success. Success is more likely to occur if you break down those larger areas of change into smaller, achievable changes.

Think about this, would you likely start something new or accomplish some goal if you knew you could have success? Don’t worry about success down the road. Success is every time you make these small changes. Success does not happen overnight, but overtime-if you don’t give up!

When I started running over 5 years ago, I had never run a day in my life. I had an unrealistic goal in the beginning, I wanted to run several miles across a step bridge that I live nearby. I tried unsuccessfully on many attempts to run across that bridge, I even tried to run period, and failed!

The problem was that I could not ever run, the problem was my initial goal was way too unachievable. So I began to make much smaller goals in the beginning. Run just for 5 minutes non-stop, and that small goal increased to another goal, run halfway to the bridge, and then walk the rest of the way. Over time, like 4 months later I finally reached my overall goal of running the entire bridge and back.

Make sure to reward yourself in a way when you accomplish those smaller goals. Reward is a huge motivator for change. Just make sure that you reward yourself with something you like or enjoy. If you mess up one day or don’t get to achieve your small goal, try again the next day. Just don’t give up.

Perseverance is built when you don’t give up. Perseverance is a key to success. You can also make small, daily goals to help overcome fear and anxiety. Such as if you have anxiety in large social settings, start with a smaller group and work your way towards larger social settings. If you have a fear of traveling, start by taking smaller trips.

Each time you succeed at accomplishing your smaller goals, you gain the confidence that eventually you will be able to achieve the larger goals you want to obtain.

If you need some guidance and encouragement to help you with setting and making goals, and any obstacles that may be in your way, schedule a 1:1 coaching session with me. The first consultation is free! Book on my website @ Stephaniereck.com

Stephanie R. Reck, LMSW, LBT, BCCC
Stephanie Reck, Coaching & Consultation Services
www.stephaniereck.com
[email protected]
Stephanie Reck Coaching & Consultation Services, @2024
Author of, "Disciplining Your Mind 30 Days to a Better You!"