No matter how hard you try, nothing seems to go right. One moment you're determined to do whatever it takes to achieve your goals and the next moment you lose all your strength to continue doing what you're supposed to do.
All your strong resolutions seem to go out the window and success simply feels a far off thing for you.
Frustrating, isn't it?
Hoping and wishing great things to happen won't actually make it happen. If you really want to achieve big goals in life, you've got to work for it. And all that starts with a self-determination.
Now, who am I to teach you about self-determination? Honestly,
Here are 4 steps you can follow to develop a solid self-determination to anything in your life.
1 | Make a commitment
A commitment kept is a prerequisite for success. Making a commitment means you make a promise to yourself to keep going no matter what happens. But if you fall, it's perfectly okay. A true commitment means you have eliminated any possibility of backing out. It means you keep going and keep working hard despite the harsh circumstances you encounter. This is one of the best ways to get started with self-determination.
So, how do you go about making a commitment that's right for you? One thing you must remember is that any kind of commitment requires clarity. If you truly want to commit to something, you must have clarity about what you're committing yourself to. Better ask yourself:
Do I really want this?
What are the benefits of having this thing in my life?
Once you're clear about your vision, create a clear plan of action. Invest in your goal. Let go of all the conflicting commitments. Stay focused and stop making complains and excuses. Don't get driven by over planning, small pleasures and temptations. It's also important to take into account possible drawbacks of making a wrong commitment. So, STOP making unrealistic commitments.
2 |Create a habit of daily practice
Let's get real here. Regardless of what our goals are – at some point or another in our life we're going to mess things up. The problem is: many of us give up. We tend to lose all the enthusiasm when our inner critic creeps in to debilitate us from moving forward. That's where we stop trying. But you know what?
If you get past that and create a daily habit to automate certain aspects of your life, you can be as successful as you imagine. Having a goal isn't enough "“ it's equally important to break it down into smaller steps and take daily action to work for it.
You've probably heard this one before: it takes 21 days to form a new habit. Yes, this has been scientifically proven as true. If you don't keep practicing your new habit each day consistently for the first 21 days, chances are, you won't be able to keep it. So the idea is to do the same thing at the same time each day and stay consistent with it for the first 21 days. Eliminate excessive options and just do what you're supposed to do until it becomes your new habit.
3| Track your progress
Once you've gotten yourself set into a new habit, it's a must that you track your progress every single day. You don't want to lose that enthusiasm and momentum just as you don't want to lose your time, people, money and things you value. Set up a tracking system so that you'll forge a psychological need to keep that streak going.
So, how do you start tracking your own progress? Well, there are a number of methods to measure your growth, therefore it's important that you choose wisely. The first thing you can do is write everything down. If you're serious about making a quick progress, I suggest you keep a calendar where you can check off each day for completing your daily goals. Don't break the chain. If you're too lazy to reach your calendar, use a planner using your iPhone or Google Calendar. And don't forget to rate your progress as you move forward.
However, there are going to be days when you'll fail to keep track of your progress. In such cases, start from Step 1 again (Make a commitment).
4| Enjoy each step
What's so important about enjoying each step of what you are doing? Most people go through life not doing what they love. And the most obvious question they ask themselves toward the end of their life is – "What if?" Now, think about all the greatest people you know, from past and present. They all loved what they did or still love what they do. The difference is "“ only a small number of people get it and most don't. The secret is to enjoy each step of what you do.
While we're working toward our goals, it's likely that we get more centered on the result and lose focus on the journey. Every step you go through might seem a little bit of hard work if you don't feel it with your heart. So don't just rush it. Each step in your journey can be a lot of fun if you learn to enjoy it. It's never about what you do but how you do it. Take each step as an incredible moment to be enjoyed. See the victory right now "“ not in the future. If you win your "˜today', nobody can take your tomorrow away from you.
Smile. And put these steps into action. You're bound to turn your short-lived determination into a long-lasting change "“ eventually achieving whatever you want.