Member Tips: How to Stay on Track
It’s the start of a new year, and just about everyone we know has set goals or achievements they would like to accomplish. However, it’s not always easy to stay on track. Life happens fast, and working towards our goals can sometimes feel overwhelming.
We’ve pulled five of the most popular tips our members have shared for how they stay on track. After reading their advice, we invite you to join the conversation in the Phi Kappa Phi community by sharing your tips for staying on top of your goals. Click here to visit the online member community and share your experiences and advice today!
1. Create lists and stick to them.
One of the most popular tips our members have shared is the use of lists—weekly, handwritten lists. It may sound simple, but there have been studies showing that regularly writing down your goals will make you 42% more likely to achieve them.
Our members recommend using a designated notebook, sticky notes, index cards or the notes app of your smartphone. You can even make your lists fun by using colored pens, highlighters or colored sticky notes. One member shared that they add inspirational quotes to their lists to keep a positive outlook.
There is a lot of satisfaction that comes from checking tasks off a list, and this feeling of accomplishment can go a long way in keeping you focused on your goals.
2. Make use of a planner—electronic, print or both.
Another very popular tip shared among our members is the use of a planner. One member stated that being on track is not only about documenting tasks, but also recording what you have completed. You get the satisfaction of looking back through your planner to see all that you have accomplished, and the thing I appreciate most about a planner is that they can be referred to as a diary allowing you to look back at life events.
Members say that they also implement the use of colors and reminders in their calendars to add another layer of organization to their tasks. One member shared that their planner even helps to reduce their stress level because they are able to look at their planner to see all they have accomplished and view their progress towards their goals.
3. Don’t get distracted by feeling overwhelmed or getting off track.
Let’s face it, we all veer off course at some point during our journey. However, it’s important that we recognize bumps in the road and have a plan in mind for getting back on the path to our goals. Learning from our setbacks allows us to plan for future challenges, and we can create a system to get focused again quicker.
Turn the inevitable stumbling blocks we will experience throughout our journey into a positive. They can present us with lessons, and these lessons add value to our journey.
4. Check in with a partner to keep both of you on track.
Several members have mentioned that they discuss their goals with a partner to create a sense of accountability, and the process of communicating those goals helps to organize the smaller tasks needed to accomplish the bigger goal. Reporting to a partner also helps to keep the focus on the main goal, and scratching those smaller tasks off your list helps to create a sense of satisfaction.
It can be easy to miscalculate our progress when we’re only reporting to ourselves, but when we have a supportive partner to share our progress with, it’s easier to be honest about our accomplishments.
5. Celebrate your accomplishments and make time to enjoy leisure activities between the grind.
Finally, what is the purpose of having goals if we can’t enjoy the journey? It’s easy for us to focus on the exhaustion of the daily grind, but it’s important that we celebrate our accomplishments and make time for fun and relaxation so we can stay motivated to reach our goals. Reset your mind by connecting with friends and family, meditating and getting more sleep.
Are you on track to accomplish your goals? Or, are you struggling? Whether you’re on target, or are just getting started, we want to hear from you! Click here to share your thoughts in the Phi Kappa Phi community, where other members will share their experiences and offer advice, support and encouragement.
Note, the community is available to active members only, and your member login will be required. For assistance with your login, email webmaster@phikappaphi.org.