No matter what your goals are, your way of thinking can make or break your success in attaining that goal. Conquering limiting beliefs and replacing them with healthy ways of thinking can help you reach the goals you set for yourself. This is beneficial regardless of the kind of goals you have. So let’s talk about some mindset adjustments I found were needed to achieve success.

#1 Mindfulness

If you read my post on my financial mistakes, you know that most of the errors were made because I did not give much thought to how and where I was spending or saving my money. As a result, I wasted a lot of time and money on things I did not value.

So once you decide on your goal, you can be more intentional with your time and resources. If it’s financial, that means taking a look at your spending habits and seeing what adjustments are worth making. If you’re looking to lose weight, you need to take a sincere look at what you’re eating now before you can make changes. Perhaps you want to be more fit. Reflecting on what avenue of exercise would keep you on the wagon, so to speak, can help you make the right decision for you.

#2 Create Finite & Attainable Goals

Creating a plan that is realistic is essential to achieving success. That means choosing SMART goals that are achievable and preferably with a time limit. When aiming to make a lifestyle change, some people can do a complete 180 and live the life they want rapidly. However, for most, including myself, it is better to create smaller goals that I could reach sooner. This helps keep discouragement at bay as it usually takes a long time to make a lifestyle change your new normal. Developing a routine makes this exponentially easier.

During my weight loss journey, I initially had the goal of working out two times a week. I worked my way up gradually. Now, I usually work out five times a week.

I had the goal of maximizing my IRA this year (the limit is $6,000). I had until tax time 2021 to do it. Routinely, I put aside a standing $100 each check. Additionally, every time I had a little more cash in my budget, I added it to the IRA. In giving myself the grace of a lengthy time horizon, I didn’t put too much pressure on myself. Excitingly, I was able to successfully accomplish this goal by the summertime.

#3 Be Forgiving of Yourself

No matter how many plans one can make, things happen. Success does not occur without lumps. You’ve got to be real in knowing that there’s is nary a straight path to any goal. Mistakes will be made and things will happen that you didn’t expect. If you need to be upset about it, you can do so. However, the error is for nothing if you don’t learn from it. So find out why it happened so that you can avoid it happening again.

In doing so, you may discover your trigger that leads you to an impulse buy or impulsive eating. I know if I come across food in the break room at work, I will partake of whatever is there. So I learned to do my best never to enter it. I use another bathroom and heat up my food at my desk so I don’t use the microwave in there. If all the other bathrooms are occupied, then I head to the break room. If I partake of the goodies, I try to take a small amount so that I feel way less guilt about not sticking to my meal plan. I try to balance giving myself the grace of being imperfect with indulging. Continuing to indulge with any restraint may delay your plans indefinitely.

#4 Know When to Get Help

The internet is a plethora of information that you can read, watch, or listen to that can help you reach any goal you want for free. However, we all have different learning abilities and techniques. So sometimes we need a little more support and guidance to reach our goals. You might first look to your friends who may have the skills or tools you need on your road to help you achieve success.

Sometimes, it takes a little more. For me, it was seeing a nutritionist on my weight loss journey. For people with other goals, this assistance can come from a financial advisor, personal trainer, life coach, therapist, etc. Not recognizing your need for help can delay your success.

#5 Never Stop Learning

No matter how many articles I have read, podcasts I have listened to, or YouTube videos I have watched on personal finance or fitness, I still try to read, listen or watch more. Hearing information from different people who each have their own perspectives can lead you to find the strategy that clicks for you. It can also contribute to finding a more efficient way to attaining the very goal you’re working on.

No one grasps a full understanding of a topic by coming across it once. Doing so time and time again can help you to learn little by little until you’re able to see the full picture. Maybe there are other goals you can be inspired to work toward. Even if you read an article and you learn nothing new, maybe it would be a good article to share with a friend who may benefit from that person’s perspective. How awesome is that feeling – helping someone achieve their own success?

#6 Know Your Worth

The only way to acknowledge your own value is to take the time to think about and commend yourself on the things you have accomplished. Acknowledge your wins along the way.

It doesn’t have to be a big hoopla. Maybe you were tired but still worked out today. Or you stuck to your grocery list despite being tempted by the snack on sale. Giving yourself a pat on the back and telling yourself you did a good job is ok. Furthermore, it can motivate you to stick to your plan.

Many of the programs on my exercise app, DailyBurn, encourage you to track your progress. If I do one extra squat or sit-up, then I did the last time, I get to be proud.

Writing down my accomplishments at work helps me to stay motivated. Additionally, when it comes to my annual review, I can avoid that awkward feeling, that women especially get, of being embarrassed in sharing my accomplishments. That is because the reasons I share for how I’m meeting organizational goals are no longer just feelings. They are facts. Doing this helps you get a raise at work and helps you to track and achieve success.

The road to success has lumps – don’t give up because you have challenges. Don’t think it isn’t meant for you because it has challenges. Recognize that it is a part of life and if you so desire, you can overcome it. You might just need some motivation or some help. And that is ok. To achieve success, you need to begin with an adjustment in your mindset. Set goals and set yourself up to reach them.

Your turn. Share some goals you are aiming for. What mindset shifts have you made or need to make? What do you think has contributed to your success?

While you’re here if you want to see what I did to make my first $100K, check out that blog post by clicking here.