I like to impose challenges on myself--tough, complex, personal challenges that force me to strive for something better. I truly enjoy the self knowledge and learning that occur while striving to meet those challenges. And as I've been writing about, I've been analyzing the best time frames, support systems, and mindsets with regard to those efforts.
Celebrate the small wins
I read a great article about this, and believe it is such an important focus when striving to meet challenging goals--you can't disregard the small wins--the good work achieved. To dismiss the small wins gnaws at your capacity to reach the big goals you're working for. So everyday, make a list of the small wins.
Analyze and replace the setbacks and weaknesses
Where did the efforts go wrong, and how can you remedy that? One of the best ways to remedy error is to replace the actions that led to the error with more positive actions. For example, if your error lies in the way you greet an indvidual--practice replacing the unsuccessful greeting with a positive greeting. Then celebrate your small win of using a better greeting each and every time. Replacing or substituting not-so-positive actions, words and mindsets with more positive actions, words and mindsets will lead you ahead.
Visualize
Clearly visualize yourself successfully taking part in the journey ahead as well as you at the end point. You can visualize via writing, drawing, collage or video--the more detailed you are with your visualization, the more likely you'll be to attain that place in life.
Get the support you need
With the ready access to the Internet, finding the best experts and expert advice about the goals you're striving for is possible. Take the time to find the expertise and utilize that expertise as you strive to meet the goal.
Share selectively
Be selective about who you share your tough personal goals with. First of all, striving to be our best is rather boring to others--it's a personal matter, and most people are busy with their own goals with little time for your's--be respectful of that. If you are a social learner, you'll likely profit from a support group for your goal, and that support group is typically best made up of others who have a similar goal or objective, not necessarily your loved ones, neighbors or colleagues. Save your time with loved ones for collective interests and pursuits instead.
We will all impose challenges on ourselves and those challenges can direct our lives in positive ways. We learn a lot from these challenges, and that learning has the potential to positively uplift our lives.