How to Achieve Any Goal You Have in 6 Simple Steps

Understanding the distinction between dreams and goals can be transformative for those looking to turn their aspirations into reality.

Recognizing the critical distinction between dreams and goals

While dreams are imaginative and internal mental states tied to our deepest aspirations and desires, goals are tangible and actionable steps towards achieving those dreams. One might dream of becoming an author, but setting a goal involves committing to write a book within a specific timeframe. A goal signifies action and realization in the real world as opposed to the infinite existence of dreams within one's heart and mind.

Defining clear, specific goals with measurable outcomes

Robbins emphasizes that for a desired outcome to be considered a goal, it must be measurable. It cannot remain as a whim or a fleeting daydream. Writing down goals on paper is a move towards making dreams actionable. By doing so, you move from mere wishful thinking to creating a plan of action that can be followed and achieved.

Robbins guides Elise to convert her dream of starting a business into a goal by defining success as acquiring five paying clients and getting at least one client an audition for a show that is on or off-Broadway. This specific measure informs Elise precisely when she has met her goal.

For instance, the dream of losing weight becomes a goal when it's specified as fitting into a particular pant size. Similarly, the abstract desire to publish a book becomes a ...

Mel Robbins highlights the crucial advantage of translating dreams into achievable targets by documenting them. The practice of writing down goals stretches beyond mere documentation; it's an active step towards realization.

The powerful psychological impact of physically writing down your goals

The action of inscribing your aspirations has profound psychological benefits.

Encoding goals into long-term memory and increasing your brain's awareness of opportunities related to those goals

Writing down your goals is not just about record-keeping; it's a dynamic act that involves the brain's encoding process. According to Robbins, this process entails the brain transferring written information to the hippocampus, which then decides what gets stored in the long-term memory. This action signifies to your brain which priorities matter, enhancing your awareness of relevant opportunities.

Robbins references research that validates this effect, suggesting that individuals who write down their goals heighten their chances of noticing opportunities and maintaining motivation, particularly on challenging days.

Research shows writing down goals significantly increases the chances of actually following through and accomplishing them

Portraying goals on paper is also depicted as an act of defiance for those who have battled adversity, cementing it as a coherent goal to achieve. Robbins pulls from research that underscores the increase in achievement likelihood when goals are written down. Specifically in the context of exercise routines, Robbins cites a dramatic contrast in adherence to workouts between those who scripted their intentions ("I will do the rep at a certain time in a certain place") and those who didn't, with 91% of the former standing by their commitment.

Maintaining visual reminders of your goals

Robbins advocates for the placement of these ...

Mel Robbins explores how using proven formulas can effectively help individuals achieve their personal and professional ambitions.

Identifying existing models or approaches that others have used successfully

Robbins emphasizes the significance of leveraging the knowledge and experience of others who have already achieved similar goals to the ones we aim for. She explains to listeners that for almost every achievement, there is often a formula or a set of steps that can be followed, which has been established by those who have accomplished those goals before. Examples of such formulas include strategies for building a successful real estate business, becoming a motivational speaker, writing and publishing a book, or launching a podcast. Robbins points out that these formulas are well-established because they have been proven to work time and again.

For instance, when Robbins was aspiring to become a paid motivational speaker, she sought advice from professional speakers at an event. The guidance she gathered outlined a universal formula composed of three essential steps for launching ventures, irrespective of the industry.

Furthermore, before starting her podcast, Robbins put in two years of research into the podcast industry, identifying successful formulas by analyzing the frequency of publication, equipment use, episode length, and strategies for dealing with advertisers. These elements constitute part of a formula she has developed over a decade for reaching any goal.

Adapting proven formulas to fit your unique situation and preferences

Robbins explains that identifying and applying an existing formula for success is the starting point, but the methods and steps can be tailored to suit one’s unique situation and preferences. For example, when discussing a formula for Elise's business idea of giving singing lessons, Robbins noted that even when pursuing goals not exactly the same as others, you could follow a general formula for success. She advised that potential entrepreneurs like Elise could learn a lot by observing the marketing strategies and services of ...

With insights from Mel Robbins, this guide delves into the unglamorous reality of goal achievement, and explores psychological hacks to maintain motivation and structure your environment for success.

Embracing the reality that goal achievement is rarely glamorous or exciting

Consistently completing the "reps" or repetitive, tedious tasks required for progress

Achieving goals involves consistently completing the "reps," the boring and tedious tasks that are necessary for progress. This process demands showing up every day to do the work that is often not fun and can be super annoying. Mel Robbins emphasizes that greatness is built on these aspects, which many are reluctant to undertake, and acknowledges that the tedious nature of these tasks is part of the reason why progress can appear slow and even unsatisfactory at times. Yet it is precisely this consistent effort, like taking a walk or writing daily, that separates those who accomplish their goals from those who don't.

Using psychological hacks to maintain motivation

Techniques like the 5-second rule and acknowledging difficulty to reduce resistance

To encourage immediate action and overcome the brain's tendency to resist difficult tasks, Robbins suggests employing the 5-second rule: counting down from five and then acting on the task at hand. This is supported by research and practical experiences from millions of people. Robbins emphasizes that the retrieval of motivation can often come by simply starting the work and acknowledging beforehand that it is going to be tough, thereby setting the stage for continued action despite the discomfort.

Structuring your environment to make goal-oriented habits easier and more automatic

Robbins recommends organizing your surroundings to make it easier to stick to your habits. Thi ...

Robbins underscores the importance of persistence and a relentless commitment to achieving goals, even when progress feels slow or nonexistent.

Anticipating setbacks and temporary lack of progress

In the pursuit of success, Robbins validates that individuals will face challenges and it’s vital to understand that achieving goals is often a long and arduous journey marked by setbacks and periods of inactivity or hesitation. She recounts her own experience of transitioning her social media platform from personal to professional use, where it took her two years to begin posting about her business, indicating a period where she did not see immediate progress. Additionally, she speaks of times she deleted social media posts after only a few minutes due to inadequate positive engagement.

Robbins wants her audience to recognize that there will be days or even longer spells, when one does not accomplish the small tasks necessary for progress. The journey to success is slow and sometimes grueling, but this is a normal part of the process, and one must persist despite the lack of immediate results or visible success.

Cultivating a mindset of non-quitting

Robbins conveys the significance of resilience, marking it as more important than flawlessness. She emphasizes that the secret to success lies in not giving up; it’s not just the days when individuals do their work, but also the days they resume their goals after a hiatus that define their success. Robbins drives home the idea that one can always come back to their objectives, regardless of time lapsed without working towards them.

Robbins adv ...