Do you have a big dream that seems just too far out of reach? Often, the first step to getting what you want from life is to redefine dreams as goals. While dreams might be fantasy, goals are achievable through practical steps. Whether you want to start a business, travel the world, or start a family, these hands-on tips will help you get there.
Define your goal & make a plan
The first step to achieving the thing you want most is to get specific about your goal. Start by really thinking about what you want. If you want to start a business, is it an online clothing boutique or a tour company specializing in haunted locations? If you want to travel, do you want to spend a week at the beach, or a year in Asia? Be as clear and detailed as possible because it is impossible to get anywhere if you don’t know where you are going.
With a picture in place, narrow down the goal using the SMART system in which your goals are:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Relevant
- Time Bound
Big goals never come together all at once. Start with the broad idea and start breaking it down into steps. What can you do today? What will be the next step? For every step in the process, break it down again and again, until you have a series of small, doable tasks that don’t feel too heavy.
Figure out how to fund your goal
The truth is, most goals require a financial investment. While that might seem a little scary, putting money into your goal will help you feel even more motivated to follow through to achievement. So, how can you find financing for your goals? If you are planning to start a business, financement achat entreprise, can help you get started. For other goals, you may already own a powerful resource. If you own a home, equity loans Canada allow you to borrow against the value of your home in order to fund all sorts of projects, like home renovations, education, and more.
Find a mentor
Whatever you want to achieve, you probably aren’t the first person down that path. While the concept of mentors is popular in the business world, talking to and learning from the experience of someone else can be very helpful in all sorts of pursuits. To find a mentor, so do research and identify people who have accomplished things similar to your goal. Then, reach out and ask your ideal mentor to speak with you and lead you in the right direction. Approaching a potential mentor might seem intimidating, but you will likely find that most people are thrilled to share their experiences and provide advice and assistance.
Evaluate your progress
Achieving big things doesn’t happen overnight, so it is important to check in with yourself. Hold yourself accountable by tracking your progress and evaluating each step. What things have gone well and what can you do better next time? Are you on track for your big-picture timeline or do you need to make changes to the plan? Most importantly, remember to celebrate all the small wins along the path.
