LIFE

There's one question we all get asked at the beginning of the school year: What are your goals? As easy as it is to set the same ones every year (honor roll, join a sports team, etc.), the most rewarding goals are the ones we *really* have to work hard for. Here's a guide to setting those goals that seem so far away, and achieving them: 

Make a goal calendar.

Plan out some weekly/monthly goals and write ‘em in a planner or on a calendar. Small, consistent changes tend to be the most effective in the long run. Are you trying to eat healthier? Cut out one bad food a week and make the transition *way* easier. If you’re trying to shave a minute off of your mile time, add some extra cardio to your routine every Friday. Keeping track and staying organized is one of the best ways to ensure you won’t slack on your goals.

Have someone hold you accountable.

Let your mom or a friend know what your goals are. Coming home after a long day at school makes it tough to want to go to the gym or read the next few chapters of your history textbook, but if the people around you know what you're striving for, they'll motivate in every way possible to keep up the good work.

Give yourself incentives.

Reward yourself by seeing a movie with a friend after a long study sesh! By having something to look forward to, you’ll have way more motivation to finish the task at hand. Also, it'll be so much more fun once you've gotten all the tough stuff out of the way.

Stick with it, no matter what.

As much as you want to skip a day and study tomorrow, don’t do it. Skipping one day could lead to a week, then two and then just quitting altogether. Keep yourself motivated and don’t break your good habits. It gets easier the more you do it and it'll be worth it in the end. Promise.

Don’t compare yourself to others.

Everyone progresses at different paces, so don’t be discouraged if it seems your friends are reaping more benefits for the same amount of work. Be proud of yourself for personal progress—reaching goals can be tough. On the hardest days, just remember how far you’ve already come and keep your head up.

What are your secrets to setting goals? Let us know in the comments!

by Julia Bonney | 9/28/2016