How to Reach Goals?

Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.
The above quote by Swami Vivekananda completes the secret of chasing and reaching goals in life. Once we set goals properly, focus & priority around them is the key. Let me elaborate this in terms of five platinum points to reach your goals and realize your dreams.

Point #1: Set SMART Goal

I believe you have already set some Specific, Measurable, Attainable & Action Provoking, Relevant & Realistic and Time Bound goals for yourself. (If you have not done that yet, please read my previous article ‘How to set goals?’).  Now make sure you have written it in positive sentence and made some symbols to remind your goals to you multiple times a day. Post your goals in visible places to remind yourself every day of what it is you intend to do, be or have. Put them on your walls, desk, computer monitor, bathroom mirror or refrigerator as a constant reminder. Make it a chore that you read (speak to yourself) your goals just after waking up in the morning and before going to bed in every night.

Point #2: Make an Action Plan

This step is often missed in the process of goal setting. You get so focused on the outcome that you forget to plan all of the steps that are needed along the way. By writing out the individual steps, and then crossing each one off as you complete it, you'll realize that you are making progress towards your ultimate goal. This is especially important if your goal is big and demanding, or long-term.

Point #3: Get to Work

I agree, before shooting one must aim but at the same time I also know that ‘talk does not cook rice’. No matter how well set the goal and how great the plan of action. But still it is nothing until we take action. Execution makes all the difference in the end result. Rise early, work late and strike oil that is the secret of success. Every goal on the earth is easy to reach only if we are ready to take the action with full vigor.  Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; take the first step today and persevere. Every morning, decide to do things which take you nearer to your goals. Review your progress at regular intervals and ask yourself what have you done today to come closer to your goals?      

Point #4: Stick to It

Goal setting is an ongoing activity not just a means to an end. Build in reminders to keep yourself on track, and make regular time-slots available to review your goals. Your end destination may remain quite similar over the long term, but the action plan you set for yourself along the way can change significantly. Make sure the relevance, value, and necessity remain high. Remember, winners never quit and quitters never win. Apply feedback, stay on track and stick to your goal. Choosing a goal and sticking to it will change everything. 

Point #5: Reach Goal

The satisfaction that comes along with knowing you achieved what you set out to do is a matter of only experience. Many people quit just before reaching the end and then repent their decision to quit. Try to exceed or at least meet the target don’t believe in the proverb ‘aim for the moon, even if you miss it you will find yourself among stars’. Do not let your momentum slow down and finish well. Last 10% time is the most crucial for making you and winner and remember there is very narrow gap in the efforts and price paid by winner and runners up. But the gap in their rewards is not in proportion, that’s huge. So finish impeccably. Once you reach the goal, celebrate your achievement. This celebration sends a signal to your heart; boosts up your confidence and makes you ready to set out for new goals. This celebration actually multiplies the joy and satisfaction of reaching to your goals.  You set a goal to score 85% in the semester and you reached that. Now what about rewarding yourself with a bicycle or a wrist watch or may be a dozen of great books to relish. Never miss your rewards, this will attach wings to your dreams for the time to come.