It’s that time of year again where we all inevitably find ourselves taking stock of our lives and setting goals for the year ahead.

Whether you’re an enthusiastic goal-setter who has achieved everything on your list every year since you were able to write, or you’re more of a “new year, same me” kind of person, 2016 is the year to make some changes and achieve those long-held aspirations. Here’s our step-by-step guide to reaching your goals in 2016.

Step 1: Identify your goals

The first step in achieving your goals is to identify what they are. Take some time to think about what you truly want to achieve, both short-term and long-term. Write them down in a journal or on a piece of paper.

Aim to have at least one goal in each of the following categories:.

• Health and fitness
• Career
• Personal development
• Finance
• Relationships

Step 2: Make your goals SMART

SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. They help ensure that your goals are realistic and achievable. Take each goal on your list and make sure it meets the SMART criteria. For example:.

• “Lose weight” becomes “Lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks by jogging for 30 minutes every day and cutting out sugar from my diet.”
• “Get a promotion” becomes “Get promoted to Senior Manager within the next 3 years by completing a leadership development program and consistently exceeding my performance targets.”

Step 3: Break your goals down into actionable steps

Once you’ve made your goals SMART, it’s time to break them down into smaller, actionable steps. This can help you feel less overwhelmed and make it easier to achieve your goals.

Identify the steps that need to be taken for each of your goals, and write them down.

Step 4: Create a plan

Now it’s time to create a plan of action. Look at the steps you’ve written for each of your goals and create a plan that outlines what you need to do, and when. You can use a calendar, a spreadsheet, or a project management tool to map out your plan.

Think about how often you’ll need to check in on your progress, and what milestones you need to reach along the way.

Step 5: Take action

This is where the real work starts. Take action on your plan, one step at a time. Do something every day that takes you closer to your goals. If you’re finding it hard to get motivated, break each step down into smaller tasks.

This can make the task feel less daunting and help you make progress faster.

Step 6: Track your progress

It’s important to track your progress as you work towards your goals. This will help you see how far you’ve come, and how much further you have to go. It will also help you identify any roadblocks or challenges that you need to overcome.

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Keep a record of your progress in your journal or on your spreadsheet.

Step 7: Celebrate your successes

When you reach a milestone or achieve a goal, take the time to celebrate your success. This could be something as simple as treating yourself to a nice meal or going out for drinks with friends.

Acknowledging your successes can help keep you motivated and remind you why you’re working towards your goals.

Step 8: Overcome obstacles

As with any goal, you’re likely to encounter obstacles or setbacks along the way. These can be discouraging, but it’s important to remember that they’re a normal part of the process. When you hit a roadblock, take a step back and assess the situation.

Look for alternative solutions or ways to work around the obstacle. Don’t give up!.

Step 9: Seek support

Working towards your goals can be tough, and it’s important to have a support system in place. This could be a friend, family member, or mentor who you can turn to for advice and encouragement.

You could also consider joining a support group or hiring a coach to help you stay motivated and on track.

Step 10: Review and recalibrate

As you work towards your goals, it’s important to review your progress regularly and make any necessary adjustments. If you’re not making progress as quickly as you’d like, you may need to adjust your plan or break your goals down into smaller steps.

If you’re making great progress, you may want to revise your plan to make your goals even more challenging. Keep reviewing and recalibrating until you’ve achieved everything on your list.

Conclusion

Reaching your goals in 2016 is entirely possible if you follow these ten steps.

Identify your goals, make them SMART, break them down into actionable steps, create a plan, take action, track your progress, celebrate your successes, overcome obstacles, seek support, and review and recalibrate as necessary. With the right mindset, support, and plan, you’ll be unstoppable in 2016.