We all want to achieve something in our lives. We all have goals that we set, yet oftentimes forget. But what does it take to really achieve anything? How can you go about accomplishing a goal that you’ve always wanted to accomplish? Well, in the past, if you’ve set some goals and you didn’t follow through, there’s a reason for that. There’s a reason that we throw up our hands in silent resignation. Most of us simply want something and we want it now; we don’t want to have to work tirelessly for it.

So, how do we go from simply saying we want something, to actually following through and achieving anything we put our minds to? How do we push through when all we want to do is give up? It all boils down to a simple three-part formula and how each part align with what you are trying to accomplish. No matter how big or small that goal is, it can be achieved through the simple application of this formula. Too often, people simply get caught up and stop pushing towards their hopes and their dreams. You can change that today!

So, what’s the formula to achieving anything you want in life?

There are no huge secrets to success in life. Succeeding at your goals takes the simple application of consistent action, adjusting your approach when necessary, and staying the course. Most of us set goals without thinking too much about them. We might have some notion in our mind of what we want to achieve, but when it comes time to making that goal a reality, we don’t actually follow through with it. We get sidetracked by life and we revert to old undisciplined, procrastinating behaviors. But it’s high-time to break those self-defeating patterns.

Three Part Formula (The Three W’s) to Goal Setting

To push through your present day limitations, make a breakthrough, and realize your dreams, you have to follow the three W’s when it comes to goal setting. If you can clearly tackle the three W’s, then you can achieve just about anything. The important part is to make a clear definition of each of the three W’s in your life. You actually have to put pen to paper or words to a screen. This isn’t something that should be done passively.

1. What?

The first “W” is the “What?” You have to know what your goal is. It has to be very specific. And you have to write or type it out. This isn’t passive goal setting. This involves creating a detailed account of what goal you want to achieve in your life and it has to involve some precise details. Why should it be so specific? Because, there’s a mental shift that occurs in your mind when you specifically lay out what goal you want to achieve and experience the motion of actualizing it as you write or type each goal.

When you actively set goals with detail like this, you go from some arbitrary target to one that’s very real and in front of you. You can see it and you should be able to visualize it. Instead of saying you want a lot of money, how much money do you want? There has to be an exact figure. Instead of saying you want to be thin, exactly how much do you want to weigh? What type of clothes will you be wearing? What type of food will you be eating to help with your weight loss?

2. When?

The second “W” in goal setting is the “When?” You have to know when you want to achieve your goal and it should be realistic and measurable. Giving your goal a time to be accomplished by, is very essential, otherwise how will you know when you’ve accomplished it? And if you’ve never lost more than 10 pounds in your life, don’t say that you’ll lose 60 pounds in 6 months. When you’re realistic and the goal is attainable, you’re much more likely to build momentum and strive for those more lofty long-term goals.

This should also help you in breaking your goal out into milestones. If you do want to lose 60 pounds, give yourself a year, then break that goal down into milestones. If you want to lose 60 pounds in one year, then that’s 5 pounds per month or 1.25 pounds per week. Can you see how this is much more attainable now? And since there are 3500 calories in one pound of fat, you can go about doing the calculations of just how much you have to eat and exercise each day to reach that goal.

3. Why?

The last, but equally important “W” to goal achievement is the “Why?” If your reasons for wanting a goal are merely superficial, you’ll find yourself giving up when the going gets tough. On the other hand, if the reason you want to accomplish your goals are so important and meaningful to you in life, then you’ll find yourself following through; you’ll find yourself succeeding. But, too many of us don’t have strong enough “Whys” in life. We don’t have a strong enough reason why we want what we want, and that has to change if we are to achieve any goal.

So, you have to make a clear definition of not only what you want and when you want it by, but also why you want it. Write it out and be specific. Don’t leave this in your mind. Remember, passive goal setting won’t get you anywhere! If you engage in active goal setting, and you really set out to do the work, then you can achieve anything you put your mind to in life.

With love, gratitude, and empowered attitude,