Would you like to be able to read a book a month, learn a new skill, improve your savings plan or maintain an exercise regime?

Whether they’re big or small, goals are an important part of your journey towards personal growth. But they’re not always easy to meet. Here are some tips for making your goals a little more achievable.

  1. Write down your goal in a journal or on a board, or stick it on the fridge

This will make it more real, remind you about what you want to achieve, and keep you consistent.

  1. Next to your goal, write down your ‘why’

Knowing the reason why you’re doing something will help you when you start to lose motivation.

  1. Have everything in place before you start

Doing your prep will help to remove any obstacles that may prevent progress once you start. Break the process down into daily, weekly or monthly tasks. Remember, slow and steady wins the race.

  1. Have a plan ready for the bad days

Life happens. People get sick, emergencies occur, and sometimes responsibilities take priority over personal goals. Having a contingency plan for when you can’t meet your daily quota will prevent you from falling off the schedule completely.

  1. Monitor and adjust

Once you’re a few weeks in, take a look at the bigger picture and determine whether there’s something you’d like to change that could improve the long-term mission.

Some goals can be achieved in a relatively short amount of time; others take longer. Consistency is the key.