I’m not big on resolutions — New Year’s or otherwise — but I am all about goals. I absolutely ADORE making goals. I make short-term goals, long-term goals, and everything in between. I make goals at the start of the year, at the start of a month, at the start of a week, and pretty much any time in between.

If you’re a goal-oriented person too, then you’ll know just what I mean. Setting goals and making plans to reach them is how I get down.

Of course, it’s not for everyone. You may have your own style, and that’s okay, too.

For now, we’re going to talk about goals.

I have some BIG goals for 2018 and big goals don’t happen if you’re not working on them every day.

Every. Single. Day.

It sounds easy enough when you get started. When you’re still excited about your goals, it’s one thing, but what about when you get busy? What about when you have a crazy day and things just get away from you?

You have to bring your hustle.

You have to know what you’re going after, how you plan to get there, and then you have to be dedicated to the outcome.

Otherwise, you’re just listing a dream. Dreams are nice, but if you want to make your dreams come true, you better have a plan.

You need to take action.

Everything you do should be with your goals in mind. Ask yourself: Does this bring me closer to my goals?

If the answer is no, skip it!

Business goals. Life goals. Relationship goals. Health and fitness goals.

Whatever your goals are, the premise is the same. The process is the same. The outcome will be the same.

Does this bring me closer to my goals?

If not, then you shouldn’t be doing it. It’s that simple.

Successful people didn’t get there by accident. They obtained their success through proper planning, goal setting, dedication, and action.

Yes, you should take time to relax. You should take time to spend with friends and family. You should take ‘Me Time’. These things are important to reaching your goals.

But on the weekends when you’re more likely to slack off, be mindful of how you spend your time. Don’t forget about your goals.

If you’re a procrastinator, learn to manage your time better. Keep working at it. Make sure you’re not throwing away your dreams because you’re not taking your goals seriously.

What are some other things you can do to help you reach your goals? Journaling.

How Journaling Helps You Reach Your Goals

I’ve also been a big journaler for most of my life (started when I was 9), but now more than ever, I see the importance of using it as a tool to help me reach my goals.

My journaling has advanced so much as a result. I journal about my goals, write through blocks to reaching my goals, track my progress, and share my wins so I can truly celebrate them. I keep a daily gratitude log, which helps me to focus on abundance and what I have already, instead of coming at it from a position of lack.

My business mentor says to write your goals in your journal every day.

EVERY DAY.

I’ve been doing it as part of my Morning Pages. There’s something about writing and rewriting your goals that really keeps them on the forefront of your mind. I suppose that is the point of this exercise.

At first I thought, “This is silly. Why do I need to keep doing this?”

Over time, I realized it’s a great motivator. It keeps my goals top of mind and each day that I write them down again, I feel like there’s a little cheerleader in my head shouting, “You can do it! Rah-rah!”

What I also find, is that it means you’re constantly thinking about what you want. How can you manifest your dreams and reach your goals if you’re constantly pushing it all to the back burner?

I will not let a single day in 2018 go by without reflecting on my goals and what I need to do to reach them.

Otherwise, it’s not really a GOAL, is it? It’s just a WISH.

Sure, it’d be nice if that happened… but am I really doing all that I can to ensure it happens? To guarantee it happens?

That’s the thing about goal setting. Your goals have to be obtainable, you need a clear set of steps to take to reach them, and then you need to commit to doing those steps.

Every day.

Even on snow days.

Even on sick days.

Even when it feels like you’re not making any progress and nothing is ever going to change.

Keep going.

That’s how success happens.

It’s hard. I know it’s hard. Some days will be harder than others, but if you stick with it, it will absolutely be worth it when it pays off. Are you going after your goals half-heartedly? Are you wishing on a pipe dream and hoping it might actually happen one day?

Or are you chasing after your dreams like a tiger going for the kill? Are you really doing EVERYTHING you can to achieve your goals, or are you letting fear freeze you in place?

Are you procrastinating? Making excuses? Sabotaging your own success?

That shit stops now.

Seriously. Just stop it.

You deserve this. You are worth it. You CAN do it!

Whatever your goals are — write them down. Every day. Look at them. Study them. Meditate on them.

Then make it happen.

I’ll be rooting for you!