When imagining what your future might look like, the mental image that comes to mind might be that you've succeeded in making your wish come true, such as becoming a marathon champion, novelist, guitar player, or successful businessman. Whatever you dream of, you can do something and make it come true if this is a priority for you. After taking the first steps, you may realize how great you are!
Step
Method 1 of 4: Taking the First Step
Step 1. Set specific measurable targets so you can monitor progress
First, decide what you want to do. Then, decide how to measure how far you are progressing. Finally, make a schedule and set a deadline for achieving the target. This step makes it easier for you to monitor and measure your progress.
- For example, if you want to lose weight, aim to lose 20 kg in a year. Then, intend to weigh yourself every week to monitor the progress of achieving the target.
- Another example, if you want to start a YouTube channel, aim to upload 1 new video every week. To monitor progress, keep track of how often you upload videos and how many viewers watch your videos.
Tip:
create a flexible schedule and develop a plan to monitor progress. In order to reach your target, you may need to adjust your plan in case of problems.
Step 2. Break the plan down into steps that make the target easier to achieve
High targets are usually difficult to achieve. Overcome this by drawing up a step-by-step plan. Determine all the steps that need to be done and write them in order. Check the steps that have been carried out.
- For example, if you want to write a novel, make a list of the steps you need to take, such as deciding on a topic, developing an outline, writing the first draft, asking for feedback, revising the draft, and then writing the second draft.
- If you want to redecorate your bedroom, you may need to decide on a theme, choose colors, make a floor plan, paint the walls, buy new furniture, arrange the furniture, and then finalize the room decor.
Step 3. Start making your wish come true by executing a step-by-step plan that makes your goals easier to achieve
Usually, taking the first step can be very difficult, especially if you have doubts about whether or not you will be able to reach your target. Don't think about the end result when you're just starting out. Instead, set aside 15-30 minutes to take small steps that support the achievement of the target.
- For example, if you want to learn to play the guitar, spend 15 minutes a day reading the chords and placing your fingers correctly on the strings.
- If you want to make a pottery souvenir, spend 15 minutes a day learning the techniques of pottery or making a pot out of a handful of clay.
Step 4. Try to leave your comfort zone
Don't be afraid to do some scary new activity! You can develop yourself and become a better person by leaving your comfort zone. Write down new things that need to be done to achieve the target and then implement them one by one.
- For example, if you want to become a singer, create a list that includes, "take vocal lessons", "sing karaoke in public areas", "enter a musical theater audition", "upload a singing video", and "attend a singing technique workshop".
- As another example, if you want to climb a mountain, challenge yourself by making a list, "practice indoor rock climbing," "running at a sports stadium," and "training weights with an instructor."
Step 5. Don't compare yourself to others
While it may seem natural, this desire can be self-defeating, rather than beneficial. Compare your progress with the targets you have set and how well you are developing yourself. Don't worry about what other people do.
For example, if you want to be a marathon champion, it's irrelevant if you compare yourself to someone who's been running marathons for years because they've been training longer. It's the same if you compare yourself to a friend whose company is successful if you don't want to do business
Method 2 of 4: Practicing New Skills
Step 1. Include training sessions in your weekly routine schedule
Exercise is more beneficial if done regularly. So, include the training sessions in the weekly schedule evenly. Allocate 15-60 minutes on any given day to practice.
- For example, if you want to train 4 times a week every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, list these activities in your weekly schedule.
- Don't practice all skills in one day. It's better to train 4 days a week, 15-30 minutes a day than at once 4 hours a week.
Step 2. Focus on what you are doing while practicing
If you get sidetracked, less knowledge is gained and skill improvement is slower. As you practice, try to avoid distractions and focus your mind on the activity at hand.
- As much as possible, first turn off devices that can distract, such as cell phones or television.
- If someone else is in the house, let them know that you don't want to be disturbed while practicing.
Step 3. Make small changes as you practice to improve your skills
The opinion that a skill can be mastered by doing repetition is not entirely true. Instead of doing the same thing over and over again every time you practice, your skill builds up faster if you make changes. Make sure your skills continue to improve by doing slightly different training sessions.
- For example, if you want to be a marathon champion, change up your training session by running on different terrain, choosing a new route, taking a friend to train with, running in the hills, or doing cross training.
- If you want to write a novel, find a new job location, listen to music, or jot down any ideas that come up.
Step 4. Ask for feedback from knowledgeable people so you can improve yourself
Positive feedback can be used to determine what went well and what needs to be improved. Make sure you get useful feedback. For that, discuss your activities with instructors or experts who are competent, trustworthy, willing to give honest feedback, and remain kind to you.
- For example, you might want to showcase your homemade art at a local gallery. Instead of asking your parents for input, it's better to ask your art teacher or gallery owner for feedback.
- Another example, you want to be a cook by opening a restaurant. Ask for opinions from friends who are chefs or invite foodies to taste your cooking.
Step 5. Ignore the idea of perfection
Goals are difficult to achieve if you are pursuing perfection because no one is perfect in this world. Instead of wanting to be the perfect person, do whatever you can because you can. In addition, focus on efforts to continue to develop yourself.
You need to work hard and practice a lot to be able to do what you want. Do not give up! You can be good at something if you practice diligently
Step 6. Feel free to start again
There are times when someone feels that their work is not optimal or in vain. This is a natural thing and all successful people have experienced it. If you fail, start over again.
- For example, you want to be a marathon champion, but the training program is exhausting. Don't hesitate to change your training schedule and then practice again.
- Another example, you want to finish writing a novel, but your draft is not satisfactory. Create a new draft and keep writing!
Method 3 of 4: Forming Good Habits
Step 1. Establish positive behavior instead of avoiding negative behavior
If you want to replace "bad" behavior with "good" behavior, don't try to stop "bad" behavior. Just do positive things in your daily life. This frees you from the behavior you want to eliminate so you can behave well.
- For example, you want to be a vegetarian. Instead of trying to stop eating meat, opt for plant-based meals and snacks.
- As another example, you want to reduce the amount of time you play video games to give yourself more time to exercise. Instead of thinking about how long you can play the game, create a practice schedule and then stick to it consistently to reach your training goals.
Step 2. Resist the urge to repeat the bad habit
Maintaining new habits is not easy, especially if you are often tempted to return to bad habits. Take the time to tidy up your home and workspace and then throw away or move items that make you tempted to re-do old habits. If necessary, change your daily routine to make it easier for you to adopt new habits.
- At home, eliminate temptations by not buying/cooking mentally retarded food, tidying up clutter, or storing game equipment.
- At work, silence the phone ringer or turn off the TV so the sound doesn't distract.
Step 3. Set up reminders that motivate you to do good habits
In the same way that temptation makes you return to bad habits, easy-to-see reminders can help you stick to a new habit. Use things that remind you of good habits, for example:
- Hang your gym clothes in your bedroom so you can practice on a schedule.
- Set a timer on your laptop to remind you to write.
- Place nutritious food in the front of the refrigerator for easiest access.
- Place the instrument on a support device or on a table so that it is ready to use for practice.
Step 4. Make sure you feel responsible for adopting the new habit
This step will help you develop new habits so that you can achieve your goals. Choose the most effective way to keep yourself accountable, for example by:
- Ask a friend to reprimand you.
- Telling the plan to achieve the target to others.
- Register for courses or activities related to the target.
- Uploading a photo of the progress of achieving the target through the website.
Step 5. Reward yourself for being able to adopt a new habit
People are more likely to adopt a new habit when they feel valued. Good habits provide benefits later in life, but are difficult to maintain until the effects are visible. Give yourself a reward so you can maintain a new good habit.
For example, you can play a video game for 15 minutes after your daily goal is reached. As another example, you can buy something related to goals if you do all your training sessions on a weekly schedule
Method 4 of 4: Maintaining Motivation
Step 1. Record every success to monitor the progress of achieving the target
Progress is difficult to monitor if you don't log your activity. There are several ways to take notes. Determine the most appropriate way for you, for example by:
- Mark the date on the calendar with a star image each time a target is reached.
- Uploading progress photos on social media.
- Share your progress with a good friend.
- Keep a diary to keep track of your activities.
- Create a list containing the targets that have been achieved.
Step 2. Celebrate every little success to keep you energized
The process of reaching the final target usually takes a lot of time, but as you progress, many intermediate targets will be achieved. Make a plan to celebrate success every time you take a step that supports the achievement of the end goal. This method is useful as a reminder that you are continuing to progress and stay focused on the targets that have been set.
For example, if you want to be a marathon champion, celebrate every time you finish in a 5K, 10K, and half-marathon race
Step 3. Say positive affirmations to myself for increase self-confidence.
Inner conversations about yourself have a big impact on your ability to reach your goals. Say positive statements to yourself and use positive affirmations to dispel negative thoughts.
- Use positive affirmations by saying to yourself, for example: "I can do…", "I'm progressing a lot", or "I can do whatever I want."
- If you find yourself thinking, "I can't," challenge these thoughts by telling yourself, "I've done hard things before. This time, I definitely can."
Step 4. Interact with people who keep you motivated
Choose people you know who keep you motivated and able to achieve your goals. Also, find new friends who want to achieve the same goals. Interact with him as often as possible because he can help you maintain motivation.
Minimize interactions with unsupportive people. People who don't support your efforts to reach your goals are not good friends for you
Step 5. Use failure as a learning opportunity to keep you growing
As disappointing as it may seem, making mistakes is common when striving for success. Everyone is not free from failure. Maybe this is your only chance to learn to do things right. If you experience failure, find the lesson and then try again.
- For example, you didn't pass the audition to become a theater singer. Meet with the judges who assessed you for feedback so you can improve your singing skills.
- Another example, you want to run a marathon, but have not been able to reach the finish line. This experience makes you realize the need to change your exercise routine.
Tips
- Don't be distracted by what other people think about your activities. Make dreams come true with confidence.
- You don't have to buy tons of equipment when you start hitting your goals. Use what's available and execute a step-by-step plan.
