25 Goal-Attainment Principles to Keep in Mind Every Day

I hope by now that you have developed the habit of goal setting. You should have daily, weekly, and monthly goals. The good news is that as you keep on adding new goals (in every area of your life), and write them down on paper in a way that is clear, easy to follow, and providing all the information you need at a glance, it becomes easier to develop this (success) habit. Keep in mind that only by persistently and consistently taking action over and over again will you build the habit of goal-setting.

Of course, it takes some degree of discipline in building new habits but the discipline required becomes easy when you begin to achieve numerous goals (in every area of your life) and this not only builds your confidence, self-esteem and self-worth but also creates the habit of success, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Now, I’ve found that sometimes we lose our motivation to achieve our goals simply because we forget certain key (goal-attainment/ Biblical /success) principles. To solve this problem, I’ve listed below some of the key principles you should keep in mind when you get up in the morning to help you achieve your goals (in every area of your life):

1.   Your goals must be clearly and specifically defined

To exemplify this principle, hold a magnifying glass near a piece of paper and with the sun shinning through it, the paper will burn. In the same way, you won’t catch fire so to speak until you clearly define what you want (in every area of your life) and focus on it.

2.  Remember the “reasons why”

Achieving your goal must have a significant importance to you. If there are no reasons for why you want to achieve a goal, if there are no benefits or rewards, then you have a meaningless goal.

3.   Wait with expectancy

We can’t force things to happen before they are meant to – and that can leave us feeling frustrated and stuck. During these dry seasons, however, remember that just because you don’t seem to be moving forward doesn’t mean that there is no movement happening behind the scenes. At the appointed time, God WILL SUDDENLY SHOW YOU what He’s been doing – sending the breakthrough you need. So keep on doing what you can do, and He’ll do what you cannot do – remember, He’s always faithful.

4.   Overcome the fear of change

The way to control your future and direct your change (in every area of your life) is to have written goals. The instant this is done the fear of change (in every area of your life) starts to dissipate as you become accustomed to goal-directed change.

  

5.   Your goals MUST be written down

Written goals are very important. They create a psychological commitment and provide a guide for you to stay on course. Moreover, reviewing your goals can only be done if they are written down.

6.   Commit yourself to your goal

The instant you commit yourself to something is the instant you start achieving it.

7.   Develop a clear plan of action

Without a plan you will never achieve what you are potentially capable of.

8.   Give yourself a reward

Reward yourself on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Make the reward something you really enjoy, like a few hours to relax and do what you love or buying something you like. However, be sure to follow through and really give yourself the reward when you complete what you set out to do! Don’t fool yourself into believing it was just a trick to get you moving; your mind will remember that little deception next time.

9.  Describe each goal in its completed state

Imagine yourself in front of an audience talking about your future achievements (in every area of your life) as if you’d already accomplished them. Share your strategies for success, highlight the challenges you faced and reveal the state of mind that enabled you to overcome them.

10. Rehearse with your imagination first

Any difficult situation, no matter what: speaking in public, or going for an interview, rehearse in your imagination first. Moreover, use this “practice arena” to see yourself having already achieved what you want (in every area of your life).

11.  Take action daily

Your written plan with its schedule of priorities will tell you what you have to do so you don't cheat yourself, do it!  No matter how good your goal or your plan is, and no matter how much you visualize it, if you are not prepared to take positive action (daily) toward your goal then you are just fooling yourself.

12. Just begin

Once you have the momentum you will become unstoppable. Consistency creates momentum and momentum is sustained through consistency.

13. Obey your inner voice

Only by silent contemplation can you learn to listen to your inner voice that will guide you in the right direction every time. This is the voice of God’s Spirit in us. If you will obey Him and do what He tells you to do every step of the way, then nothing will be able to keep you from achieving your goals and dreams.

14. Believe in yourself

Belief can carry you far. It can make you do the seemingly impossible.

15. Eliminate distractions

Let go of distractions, they do not bring satisfaction. They are designed to test you – to see if you really want what you want. These distractions can do anything to tempt you from being the individual you have planned to be, to tempt you off your path. However, they cannot get onto your path and stop you – all they can do is distract you on to theirs. Leaving the path to your dream is always your choice.

16. Pay the price

You have to make sacrifices whether in the form of pleasure time or saving for something, but by identifying the price, you can decide if you want to pay it. Keep in mind that the price for achieving poor results is much greater than that for achieving extraordinary results.

17.  Focus on one thing at a time

Whatever you do, do it with ALL your power - divided attention, divided power.

18. Take time to think

By calling a halt, being still and listening, your load will be eased - you will see how best to complete your work without effort, and get new ideas to help you improve what you are doing (in every area of your life).

19. Use your time wisely

Time is our most equitably distributed resource but some people spend it more wisely than others. Stop wasting your time doing unimportant and unnecessary activities – invest the time you are saving in your planning time.

20. Accept that God’s in control

We usually waste time by being upset over stuff we cannot do anything about – things only God can change. Instead, focus your attention on the countless times God has guided and provided, as well as protected and directed your life. This will release peace, create hope and put out the fire of your fears.

21. Be relentless in the pursuit of your goal

Relentless means showing no abatement of severity, intensity, strength or pace in what you’re trying to accomplish. If you want to achieve your goals, you are going to have to do more than just talk about them – you are going to have to be relentless in your pursuit of them.

22. Be determined

We have to be determined. It is a decision each and every one of us has to make for ourselves. We need to have a powerhouse determination and no one can do that for us. When it comes down to it, we have to do the doing.

23. Find solutions to the problems you face

Don’t waste time “reasoning why you can’t”, instead intuitively find out how you can.

24. Develop persistence

The key to victory is continuing to do the right thing with the right attitude and refusing to quit

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25. Learn more to grow

Knowledge is the seed for change (in every area of your life).

To Your Success,

Gerard Ndzebir