How to Reach Your Goals in 2018

How are your New Year’s resolutions going so far? Was your goal to lose weight, get a new job, or save more money? A goal or objective sounds much more concrete than a New Year’s Resolution, which almost nobody sticks to past January anyways. If you’re having trouble achieving the goals you’ve set for yourself this year, heed the following advice to keep moving forward.

Aim High, But Start Low 
Big goals can seem daunting, and the best way to counter this is to break down your big goal into a series of small goals. Starting off with small, attainable goals and building yourself up over time helps to cement your new habits in your mind.

If one of your goals for the new year was to start saving more money, you can start putting a little away every month to reach your goal. One way to do this is with a Community Financial Goal Setter Savings Account. With terms available at 24 or 60 months and only $5 to open, this account can help you reach your savings goals through small obtainable goals.

Know What Success Looks Like 
Have you ever heard that a goal without a plan is just a wish? If you don't know what success looks like, how will you know when you have achieved it? Start writing your goals down and develop a concrete plan to achieve them.

Wrap your head around why you want to achieve this goal in the first place. If your goal is to exercise and eat healthier, is it just to look better and reach a certain number on the scale? Or is the true motivation to have better overall health so you look and feel your best? Understanding your motivation for reaching your goals will help you feel more successful.

Invest in Education 
Make 2018 the year for gaining more knowledge. Read more books, blogs, or online articles that relate to your goal. Join a group or club that will encourage you and let you talk to those with similar interests. For example, if your goal is to find a new career, you could join a professional or public speaking organization to help build confidence and increase your network.

If your goal is to improve your financial well-being this year, check out our Money Matter$ eLearning Center. These free and self-paced modules cover key financial concepts such as: saving, investing, raising your credit score, identity theft protection, and obtaining a mortgage. Whatever your goal is, more education will help inspire you and keep you on track.

Track Your Performance 
Check in with yourself on goals regularly. Every time you work on them, mark your progress on a calendar. Stick your goal on the wall where the rest of your household can see it. This not only reinforces accountability, but also gives you a reminder. Tell trusted friends and family members what you are working on so they can also help hold you accountable and share in the progress you’ve made.

Your turn: How are your 2018 goals coming along? Do you have any advice for others on how to accomplish their goals this year?