2023 is zooming by, so I just wanted to check in to make sure you’re accomplishing all the wonderful goals that you set for 2023. According to statistics, you probably fell off.

I get it. Obstacles, setbacks and distractions get in the way, but it’s not too late to get back on track!

Here are seven practical tips and strategies that can help you stay motivated and achieve your goals.

Set Clear and Specific Goals
The first step to staying motivated is to set clear and specific goals. Having a clear vision of what you want to achieve can help you stay focused and motivated, especially when the going gets tough.

Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART). A SMART goal is not just a buzzword used in the workplace; it applies in our personal lives as well. This way, you can track your progress and celebrate your successes along the way.

Find Your Why
Knowing your why can help you stay motivated, especially when things get challenging. Your why is your underlying reason for pursuing your goals. It could be personal growth, financial stability or the desire to help others. When you know your why, you can tap into your intrinsic motivation, which is more sustainable than external motivation.

So, instead of vaguely saying that you want to lose weight, focus on why you want to. Concentrating on a healthier you with greater confidence is going to be easier to achieve rather than simply wanting the numbers on the scale to go down.

Break Down Your Goals into Smaller Steps
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Breaking down your goals into smaller, manageable steps can make them less daunting and more achievable. This way, you can track your progress and celebrate your successes along the way.

For example, if your goal is to write a book, you could break it down into smaller steps, such as writing 500 words a day or outlining your chapters. You’ll be finished before you know!

Visualize Your Success
See it before you can see it. Visualizing your success can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals. Imagine yourself achieving your goals and the positive impact it will have on your life. Visualize the steps you need to take to get there and the obstacles you may face along the way. By doing this, you can mentally prepare yourself and stay motivated, even when things get challenging.

Create a Supportive Environment
This is a big one. We know you want to stay focused, but are the people and things around you helping you or hurting you? Creating a supportive environment can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals. Surround yourself with people who support and encourage you, and avoid those who bring you down.

Find a mentor or accountability partner who can offer guidance and support along the way. You can also create a physical environment that supports your goals, such as a dedicated workspace, a vision board or getting rid of all the junk food in your house. (I’m preaching to myself.)

Take Care of Yourself
Self-care is so necessary. Taking care of yourself is essential to staying motivated and achieving your goals. Get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and take breaks when needed. These activities can help you stay physically and mentally energized, which can boost your motivation and productivity.

Embrace Failure and Learn from Mistakes
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Embracing failure and learning from mistakes is essential to staying motivated and achieving your goals. Failure is a natural part of the learning process, and it can help you grow and improve. Instead of dwelling on your failures, use them as an opportunity to learn, adapt and try again. You’re either winning or learning.

Motivation is a daily practice, and it requires effort and commitment. With persistence and determination, I know you can overcome obstacles and achieve your dreams.

I’m still on my natural hair education kick to make sure that Black women know how to take care of their hair properly. That’s what this week’s video will be about. A video a week is still my goal. Gotta stay motivated. See you Friday!