It’s a new school year, and you’ve got some serious goals
that are gonna make it the best one yet. The only problem is that motivation
isn’t exactly your strong point. Sure, getting straight A’s and being MVP on
the soccer team sound easy when you’re daydreaming during the summer, but how
are you gonna keep working hard for months on end once school really gets
goin’? Check out these four tips to stay focused, even when your goals seem too
far away.
Stick It to ‘Em
First, you’ve gotta remind yourself of your goals all the
time. So write down either short versions of your goals, some of the steps to
reach your goals or encouraging phrases on some sticky notes, and put them all
over your room. The best spots are where you’ll see the stickies every morning,
so you can start out every day with your goals in mind. Try putting them on
your mirror, on your bedside table, in the front of the novel you’re reading or
on your alarm clock. Then after a few weeks, write new stickies so that you
don’t start thinking of ‘em as part of the scenery and ignoring them.
Share the Load
Let your family and friends help keep you motivated by
telling them what your goals are. If your ‘rents know that you’re trying to run
3 miles every day, for instance, they might ask to make sure that you ran
today. And if your besties know that you’re shootin’ for straight A’s, maybe
they’ll offer to study with you or remind you when projects are due. Just
knowing that other people expect something from you can help motivate you to
follow through because your goals will seem more like commitments than dreams.
Celebrate Hard Work
Break your goals up into smaller steps that are more
manageable. Like instead of just saying, “I’m going to drop a whole minute from
my mile time in gym class,” try “I’m going to speed up by 10 seconds every two
weeks.” Then once you reach the halfway point and have cut off 30 seconds from
your mile time, celebrate that achievement. Get a new CD, go out for pizback to za with
your sistahs, or relax in front of your fave movie. Just don’t celebrate by
taking time off from training or by doing something that will actually set you
back. ‘Cause in the end, you’re still working toward that long-term goal, but a
little celebration along the way will help to keep your spirits up.
Bounce Back
So you fell off the wagon yesterday – you had a low
quiz-grade, performed badly at your choir concert, or ate way too much
chocolate cake. That’s okay, girl! Don’t beat yourself up over one not-so-perf
day. Everybody has them. Just remember that your goals are still waitin’ for ya
and that there’s no reason you can’t keep goin’ after ‘em. Stay positive, and
let that off day encourage you to do even better tomorrow.
So chicas, what are
some of your goals for this school year, and how do you plan on reaching ‘em?
BY CARRIE RUPPERT ON 8/23/2012 12:00:00 AM
POSTED IN boost your grades, smart girl secrets, get all A's this year, Rock try-outs, have the best school year ever, get your act together guide