Staying Focused - 4 Steps To Help You Stay Focused On Your Goals

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One of the first big steps you take when starting your journey towards making your dreams come true is
writing down your goals. Visualizing really helps. Making a list, post it notes on your mirror, vision boards. All of those things help keep your goals right in front of your face. However, goals without action are simply wishes.

Do you find yourself making the same goals every year? Month? Week? That means you are making great goals but not so great at accomplishing them. What's stopping you?

1. Do you have a plan?
Setting smart goals are very important. Next, establish how you are going to get them done. Losing weight is a great goal. Setting a realistic goal of losing 10-20 pounds in one year certainly doable. What's the plan though? Weekly meal prep? How many days per week is physical activity planned? What activities are you participating in on those days? Zumba on Monday? Weight training on Wednesday? Yoga on Friday? What's the plan? A plan for daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly activities helps monitor the progress toward meeting the goal. Use the alarm on your cell phone calendar. Write things down on your calendar. Whatever it takes to stick to the plan.

2. Create a sustainable schedule
Be it starting a fitness routine or working on your novel, commit to a schedule that is not overwhelming. Committing to 10 minutes of physical activity three mornings per week is more palatable than 2 hours in the gym five days per week when you're just getting started. Writing one chapter per day might be a bit much compared to committing to writing one chapter per week. Most stall and do nothing when they feel overwhelmed. Doing nothing will definitely not help you get closer to your goals.

3. Make your to-do list ahead of time
At the end of your day, assess what is complete. Make the list for the next day based on urgency and approaching deadlines. It helps to know exactly what your day is going to look like instead figuring it out as the day goes along. Helping organize the day's activities to make sure it runs smoothly and is productive.

4. Minimize distractions
In the age of technology, there are more distractions than ever before. Alerts, buzzing, text messages, phone calls, you name it. The only way to get anything done is to stay focused. Turning off all notifications while working on a project will prevent "popcorn brain". Popcorn brain is when your brain is so accustomed to constant electronic stimulation of multitasking that it is unfit for focusing on one thing at a time. Turn your cell phone off. Silence all ringers. Mute all notifications. Schedule your focus time for when family is sleeping or when everyone has left the office. Constant distractions make for minimal productivity because we have to constantly refocused. Keep distractions to a minimum and maximize productivity.

After visualizing your goal, construct plan to make it happen. Set a weekly, monthly, and quarterly schedule of activities that isn't overwhelming. Create a to-do list at the end of each day. Minimize distractions while working on tasks.

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What Do Your Friendships Say About You?

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Birds of a feather do indeed flock together. If you spend a lot of time with someone, eventually their
habits will rub off on you. Make sure the habits are good ones. Are you surrounded by motivated, positive people? Are you the most successful person in your circle? It is common for people to become complacent with where they are or just accept their current circumstances. It is also common for people to want more out of life but know that their circle of friends are holding her back. What does your role in friendships say about you?

The Ring Leader

You're the leader of the group. Everyone comes to you for advice. You're probably the most successful person in the group. Your whole group of friends cheer you on but they don't have much going on for themselves. Does this make you feel good about yourself? Feeding your ego is fine but having a large ego doesn't do much for personal growth. In order to reach your true potential, you should want to grow, which means you may out grow your circle. Growing pains are normal but need humility so that you can take in knowledge as you expand the network of people you interact with.

The Charity Case

You and your friends are always on a mission to find the "hook up". There is no effort to do things for yourself. A ride. A loan. A shoulder to cry on. Someone to vent to. A recommendation for a new job. Always looking for a way to get over instead of a way to triumph. There is nothing wrong with needing help but try finding your own resources before you ask to use someone elses. Surprisingly, people are more willing to help you when they see you helping yourself. You can do it. You don't need hand outs, you just need to believe in yourself.

The Bad Seed

You encourage each other to do the wrong things. Spend money on things that aren't in budget. Go out partying when you have to wake up early in the morning. Call out of work when you're not sick. Lying to get what you want. Most of the activities involve a flaw in morals. Doing the right thing does not give instant gratification but it does build character. Finding true, long-lasting success requires hard work and strong character.

The Debbie Downer

No matter what the situation, you find something negative to say about it. You hardly ever point out the silver lining during tough times. It's almost as if you don't want others happiness or success. Unfortunately, misery loves company. Perhaps invest in working on happiness. It will help you be able to see the good in situations and offer more words of encouragement. You will be a better friend.

The reality is, health relationships are symbiotic. You should not give more than you take or vice versa. If you surround yourself by four unmotivated adults, you indeed will be the fifth one. If there is even one of the following types of people in your immediate circle of influence, it will spill over on to everyone else.

Fancy Free, LLC. believes in the concept of building relationships that turn into business relationships. We can help you do the same. Contact us at (410) 929-0302 for your complimentary consultation. We would love to help you do the same. Complete the form below to join our emailing list.

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