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One of the key things that stop people from actualizing their goals is that they are easily distracted from them. Life is one huge distraction. It’s either problems that a person faces or a new gadget or toy that has just come out; whatever the distraction, it stops a person being focused on his ultimate goals.

Here are a few ways to keep yourself focused:

1. Make sure your goals are defined well

Ensure that you are clear about what you want from what you are doing. If your goals are not clear in your own mind, everything else will be fuzzy too. When you have to make decisions, you won’t be clear about what to do. Put dates to your goals. Goals without dates are like non-goals. You have to be clear about what you want to achieve and by when.

2. Keep your goals realistic and bite-sized

This is also very important. There’s no point saying to your self that you will become a billionaire in three months; it’s simply very unrealistic (for most people). Try to define your goals in accordance with what you think you really can achieve. Be realistic; it’s vital.

Also keep your goals bite-sized. Try to break down your larger goals into smaller ones. If your main goal is to get six-figure salary within a year, break that down: What sub-goals do you need to achieve before you can achieve the big one? What type of job do you want? Do you have to do certain things before being able to get that job? Courses? Write a blog? And so on. There is an overlap between larger goals and the things you have to do to achieve those goals. Often, the things you have to do to get to your larger goals are in themselves smaller goals. List them too.

3. Don’t overplan

Planning is good. It does help you keep focused. However, don’t overplan. The longer you spend planning, the more time you are away from actually doing the things that will help you get to your goals. Remember that plans are just glorified guesses. So have a basic plan. The future changes. There’s no point spending lots of time planning. Have a general idea and then just get on with it.

4. Keep your goals in sight

This is especially important when you are frustrated with the current task at hand. Try to go back to the goal and think about how you will feel when you achieve it. This really does help keep one focused and can be the difference between success and failure. No pain no gain. Keep in mind that in order to achieve any goal you have to go through times of pain: laborious tasks, things you don’t enjoy, semi-failures. It is almost inevitable. But if these short term frustrations keep you away from having the goal in mind, it can really be an impediment to actualizing your goal.

5. Look back to how much you have achieved

Look at what you have already accomplished and this will help you to stay on track. You will realize that you have already achieved so much and have come a little closer to your goal. Be positive! It really does help.

6. Be prepared to change

Sometimes, after trying something out while remaining focused on your goal, it just seems that the goal is simply not achievable. Maybe you know something now that you didn’t back then. Perhaps you were unrealistic. Whatever the cause, there are times when you just have to give up. However, before giving up, try modifying your goal a little. Try to tweak it to face up to the new realizations or new scenarios. It may be that you have to change the goal a little to make it work. Always try to find a way before deciding to actually quit.

So these are some ways of remaining focused on your goals. Any thoughts? Anything that has helped you to keep focused?

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