Last week I wrote about values and trying to come to grips with what yours are and why it’s important to honor them.  This week I’m going to make the assumption that you have a list of a few things you value or used to value.  Be aware that those values can change over time, so you may have identified some that were really important to you way back when, but that don’t have any room in your life now, that’s perfectly normal.  What is important is that you have a list of a few that matter now, today.

So you have your list no where do you go?  Come on get on with it Amanda.

Patience, patience.  Goal setting takes a little time and thought, so you’ll want to get yourself a tea or a coffee, a quiet spot, with as few distractions as you can get.  In fact, if you can sit outside in the fresh air, I always find it helps.

You’ll need a pencil and a piece of paper (no pens, nothing is written in stone, it can all change easily).  Now on the paper I’d like you to write down what your goals are for the end of the week or the month it’s up to you.  Make the goals specific and attainable (you are not going to be the next female astronaut in space in a week) Give them a specific date to have them done by.  Oh and don’t have too many, go for a couple to get started. That was easy wasn’t it?  Now all you have to do is put them up somewhere in the house where you’ll see them and they’ll see you.  You could ask a family member or friend remind you of your goal and ask how you’re getting on with it, are you progressing with it, will you make it on time?  It always helps to have someone encourage you on your journey.

This simple system can be used to achieve goals in 3 months, 6 months a year, etc. The trick is to first give yourself something that is easily attained, something you can succeed in without too much disruption or effort.  If you do this you will look like the cat-that-got-the-cream.  In no time at all your confidence level will rise and your happiness level will too.  But remember, your goals have to be aligned with your values, if you are trying to achieve something that isn’t in line with your core values, it will just about impossible to reach your goal and your confidence and happiness levels will not increase and there will not be any satisfaction in achieving your goal.

You can achieve your goal you just need to believe in yourself.