8 Simple Principles to Help You Achieve Your Goals This Year

Praxis Podcast with Rhett Smith

One of the things that happens at the beginning of every year, or at the start of a major transition, is that you see people setting goals. If you were like me you probably thought about all the goals you wanted to achieve in the New Year, and you might have even taken the time to write them down. But if you are also like me, it's possible that you have declared goals in the past, but never quite saw them to completion.

I count it a privilege that I get to spend about 1200 hours a year in session with people because I get to learn all kinds of helpful tools and tips from them. Though they are coming to get help from me (and I hope they find it helpful), I too am learning from them.

So in this episode I want to share with you 8 principles that I have found to be helpful in setting and completing goals. These are principles I've gleaned from reading, and from clients and colleagues and friends, and most importantly, they are principles I have put into action and had success with in my own life.

So in this episode I share with you these 8 important principles when it comes to goal setting:

1. Focus on a limited number of goals (ex. 1-4 goals).
2. Allow goals to build sequentially over time, or have "baby steps" built into them.
3. Be very specific. (i.e. not I want to be fit, but rather, I will run this specific 5K).
4. Attach goal to a bigger purpose/vision (i.e. I want to be able to keep up with my kids, etc.)
5. Create accountability.
6. Write the goals down
7. Re-Evaluate the goals along the way (i.e. have a check-in process)
8. Celebrate the accomplishing or achievement of the goal.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family by Patrick Lencioni

Palo Duro Trail Run

Charity Water

Scott Harrison interview on the Rich Roll Podcast