How to Achieve Your Goals

Whether you set a long-term goal - for example, to lose weight - or set a goal that you want to achieve as soon as possible, motivation and ambition must not be lacking. Ambition helps you not to give in to the first wall that comes your way, and motivation makes you want more and more to achieve your goals.

Once you have proposed something, no one and nothing should stand in your way, this is the definition of a strong woman who knows what she wants. And let's face it - no one likes to be beaten up.

1. When making a plan, consider the difficulties

When you want to achieve a goal, put in place all the necessary elements. Also, consider the things that might stand in your way and prevent you from moving to another level that will bring you closer to reaching your goal. Peter Gollwitzer, a professor of psychology at New York City University in New York City, says that people who do not consider the obstacles they may face in achieving the desired goal are more likely to fail than those who do not consider these aspects as well.

In a 2009 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Gollwitzer compared two groups of women who wanted to be more active in achieving their goals and fulfilling their plans.

Both groups received information on conflict resolution and obstacle prevention. In addition, the second group of women received instructions on how to anticipate obstacles. For example, "even if the weather forecast shows that it will rain tomorrow, this will not stop me from running." No wonder the women in the second group did better. Michelle Tillis Lederman of New York City practiced this strategy when she wrote a book.

In order not to stop writing and to finish what she had intended, in this case, the book, Michelle put her blinds on the windows, placed her desk in front of the door to minimize interruptions, and hired an editor to provide feedback on each chapter, so as not to be stopped. She also set rules, such as checking emails every two hours, shutting down her phone, and she was able to complete her plan.

2. Trust your strengths

Most people often rely more on the skills they think they have than on the objective way in which they can solve certain problems, according to Albert Bandura, a professor of psychology at Stanford University.

According to him, people who are aware of their efficiency and are convinced that they can do anything are more likely to succeed than those who do not trust their strength. The psychologist believes that self-confidence helps to achieve goals, regardless of the obstacles that stand in the way of achieving them.

3. No unrealistic expectations

When your goals are so big and difficult to accomplish, almost impossible, don't be surprised that your plan has failed. We are talking here about goals that can be achieved with a lot of work and a lot of courage, because, to be serious, you need the courage to fight with a whole world to do what you set out to do.

When your goals are too ambitious, they can have the opposite effect and cause you to become demotivated, says Lisa Ordonez, a professor of management at Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona, Tucson. You don't have to have unrealistic goals or think that you can take an apartment for 3 months, for example, because you know how hard it is. Try to set achievable goals that can be accomplished.

If you want to be successful, you must work hard towards your goal. It's common to have the instinct to stop when it gets hard, but you should find a way to keep yourself motivated.

Don't stop when you are tired, stop when you are done!