Setting goals is one of the most important steps towards achieving success in any area of life. However, many people struggle with sticking to their goals for the long-term.

In this article, we’ve gathered advice from top psychologists to give you 10 proven ways to achieve your 2016 goals.

1. Set Specific Goals

When setting goals, it’s important to make them as specific as possible.

In other words, instead of setting a goal to “lose weight,” set a goal to “lose 10 pounds by the end of the month.” Specific goals provide clarity and make it easier to track progress.

2. Make Your Goals Measurable

In addition to being specific, your goals should be measurable. This means that you should be able to track progress and see tangible results. For example, if your goal is to save money, set a specific amount you want to save each week or month.

3. Develop a Plan

Once you have set your goals, it’s important to develop a plan to achieve them. This may involve breaking the goal down into smaller, more achievable steps. Creating a plan can help you stay focused and motivated along the way.

4. Stay Accountable

One of the biggest challenges with goal setting is staying accountable. To help with this, consider finding an accountability partner or joining a support group. This can provide motivation, feedback, and support throughout the journey.

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5. Visualize Success

Visualization is a powerful tool for achieving goals. Take time each day to visualize yourself achieving your goal. See yourself succeeding and feel the emotions that come with it. This can help you stay motivated and focused on your goal.

6. Stay Positive

Staying positive and optimistic is essential to achieving your goals. While setbacks and challenges may arise, it’s important to focus on the progress you have made and the steps you can take to keep moving forward.

7. Celebrate Small Wins

It’s important to celebrate small wins along the way. This not only provides a boost of motivation, but also reinforces the progress you have made. Celebrating small wins can help keep you focused and motivated as you work toward your larger goals.

8. Stay Flexible

While having a plan is important, it’s also important to stay flexible and adaptable. As you work toward your goals, you may encounter unexpected challenges or obstacles.

Staying flexible and adjusting your plan as needed can help you overcome these obstacles and keep moving forward.

9. Stay Committed

Commitment is the key to achieving any goal. It’s important to stay committed, even when the going gets tough. Remind yourself why the goal is important to you and stay motivated to achieve it.

10. Keep Going

Achieving goals takes time and effort. It’s important to stay focused on the long-term and keep moving forward, even when progress is slow. By staying committed and staying the course, you can achieve your goals and experience success.