7 Ways to achieve your goals

I’ve often heard it said that the key to achieving any goal is to just “take action”. This is not only hallow advice, but it is not even effective. The key is not to just take action, but concentrated action.

The key distinction here is what people take action on. For example, some people take massive amounts of action and end up just spinning their wheels. What people need is to take focused action to achieve their goals.

People who take action just for the sake of action do not think with a truly long-term perspective, instead they become too involved in what is in front of them. This long-term perspective is key to progress.

Here are the steps to taking focused action. Stick to the plan and watch the results unfold for yourself.

1. Make sure that your plan has a system of measurement

Two of the most important aspects of having a goal is making sure they are measurable and have a defined timetable. Without these two elements you may find yourself wavering on how and what should get done. Common methods of measurement include 30, 90, or 180 days.

For example, if you intended on losing weight, you may make it a goal to hit the gym x times over the next week. It’s also important to make sure that you are making goals that are strictly within your control. For example, losing x amount of pounds can vary due to the time of day and when you have eaten. A better goal would be to hit the gym a certain number of times and let the result be a byproduct of your efforts.

2. Have a list or an action plan

The most important step in this process is to make sure that you are taking action daily. Create an item list with several things that you can check off throughout your day.

Start with the end in mind and think ...

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