Focus On Goals

Having plans to obtain goals are important and will help you stay organized. Having a plan that will help you stay focused will keep you on course. So what you end up with is two plans for the same goal. For example; if your goal is to lose 25 pounds, your plan could be to go to the gym three times a week. And your plan to stay focused could include putting up a sign on your bed room door that states "Do your morning sit-ups", or asking a friend to exercise with you three times a week. Staying focused may even mean not going to places you use to visit or abstaining from hanging out with old friends. Such as not hanging out at a bar if your goal is to stop drinking, or not hanging out with single friends of the opposite sex if your goal is to stop cheating on your spouse.

This might sound stupid but there are some people who believe that they can still hang out with the same old crowd and survive the pressure. It might not be impossible to do, but it only puts you at high risk for failure! A large number of these people end up back doing their old habits. If your friends really care about you they will be understanding as to why you don't hang out with them any more. Also remember that your recovery might be enough motivation to help inspire one of your old friends to have a change of heart and move in the same direction you did.

5 helpful tips on staying focused on a goal:

1. Talk to yourself. Tell yourself what your going to do. Look in a mirror and tell yourself every day "I am not going to drink alcohol today", or "I am not ever going to cheat on my beautiful spouse again", or "I will not eat junk food today", or what ever it is that your struggling with. It would even be wise to memorize a personalized one paragraph motivational speech that you tell yourself everyday. Words have power!!! Use them to your advantage.


2. Tell others about your goal. Telling your close friends and family members about your goal could give you more reason to not give up! It doesn't matter if they support you. The fact that everybody knows could work as an additional reason and constant reminder of why you can't quit pursuing your goal.


3. Ask for help. Don't let pride stand in your way! Getting help from friends, or family, or church members, or professionals could be the one thing you need to stay focused. Also others may have more insight on how you might be able to better reach your goal. Just having someone else to consult with can be helpful in relieving stress, increasing motivation, and maintaining your focus.


4. Make a time table.A goal should be measurable. Have a date that you want to have your goal reached by. A date can motivate you and keep you away from dragging your feet and risking losing some amount of zeal. Having a date will also help keep you focused on finishing what you've started in a timely manner.


5. Make short term goals related to the ultimate goal. Your short term goals are steps toward the ultimate goal. For instance; your ultimate goal may be to lose 10 pounds, but your short term goal might be one pound a month. Or your ultimate goal may be to read a 900 page book within a year, but your short term goal might be 3 pages a day. Short term goals show our progress and give feelings of accomplishment while pursuing the ultimate accomplishment.

Patrick Jaye Hardine is a United States war time veteran who writes positive motivational poetry. In his latest book, My Private Road, he discusses the importance of short term goals, long term goals, and what a goal must be comprised of. For more information please visit http://www.myprivateroad.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patrick_J_Hardine