A new year has just begun and, if you are like me, you want to set fresh goals, or reach the goals you set last year.

When we set a goal, we usually feel enthusiastic. We may put it on the top of our “to do” list and have every intention of seeing it through to completion.

But day after day our precious goal may remain on the list, while other things come up that prevent us from even making a dent in it.

Or maybe we make a start and then let it slide.

We usually frame our goals with words such as: “I’m going to finish that book,“ or “I’m going to get in shape.”

We may even be able to visualize the successful outcome of our goal.

But research shows that it is in visualizing and implementing habits that we most effectively move closer to accomplishing goals.

The question is, how can you make “working your goal” a habit?

Instead of making your goal: “To get in shape,” try: “I’m going to exercise three times a week at six pm” or “I’m going to work on that project five days a week at three pm for at least half an hour.”

Break the larger goal down into incremental steps, and hold yourself accountable only for accomplishing those steps.

As I begin a new book on creativity, I’ve already begun using this method and am finding it is helping me move forward.

What about you? I would love to hear your thoughts.

“Depending on what they are, our habits will either make us or break us. We become what we repeatedly do.”
-Sean Covey