5 Tips for Motivation and Dedication When it Comes to Your Goals

October is an interesting month. It falls (no pun intended) between September, a month typically associated with new beginnings, and November, a month typically associated with the downfall of those new beginnings. You probably invested a good amount of time and/or money into the endeavors you started in September, so why let November get you “off the wagon”? According to James Clear, author of Automatic Habits, it takes 66 days to form a habit. In those 66 days, exactly the time between back-to-school and Thanksgiving, you have the challenge of avoiding distractions (like halloween candy…) and staying so committed to your goals that no major shopping sale or massive pumpkin pie can derail you from your financial or wellness goals. You have the challenge of staying motivated and dedicated. Here are my top 5 tips for staying motivated and dedicated to your goals to prepare for the temptation months.

1 Put your alarm across the room.
According to a new study from Sleep Junkie, most people hit snooze at least once. Do you honestly feel better after that extra 15 minutes of surface-level sleep? I know I feel just as groggy as the first alarm. If your alarm is across the room, you’re forced to get out of bed, open your eyes and navigate your way to the clock. At this point, you’re already out of bed so it’s the best time for tip #2…

2 Make your Bed.
This routine is something I seriously believe is directly causal to productivity. For me it’s as simple as, if my bed is made, I have no inclination to climb back into it. In his speech titled “Change the World by Making your Bed,” Navy Admiral Admiral William McRaven lists all of the benefits of making your bed in the morning, stating that it gives you a small sense of pride, and encourages you to continue to complete tasks as you continue your day.

3 Plan your meals for the day.
I’m sure you’ve heard the quote before: “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” As cliche as it sounds, it’s true. And as much as I love to go with the flow, when it comes to my health goals: planning is a non-negotiable. I normally plan my meals for the week on Sunday and prep a majority of the foods. Then each morning, before I make breakfast, I write down what I plan to eat for all three meals and snacks. Sometimes I even set alarms reminding me when to eat. If you’re like me, jam packed days between classes and calls, it’s easy to forget to eat. If you can get in the habit of planning your meals (and actually eating them) in September and October, you’ll enjoy November’s leftovers with no binging and no guilt.

4 Prioritize.
It’s easy to get a bit lost in planning your Thanksgiving menu or skimming Target’s Black Friday circular that is already out. It’s even easier when you have a looming to-do list. But are those things getting you closer to where you want to be? We are all guilty of procrastination, and these days, distractions are everywhere. If you find yourslef getting distracted: stop, drop, prioritize. Make a list of all of the things you have to do, that day or that week. Once you have your list, number each item by it’s priority level, and then rewrite the list. Having a list keeps you organized and focused. Crossing things off the list keeps you excited, and just like making your bed, gives you a sense of accomplishment to carry throughout the day.

5 Write your goals everywhere.
How often do we say we are going to do something, and then completely forget about it? There’s a strange power in writing down your intentions, goals and plans. The more you see it, the more you start to believe it. The more other people in your life see it, the more accountable you hold yourself to it. I am a huge post-it-note fan. When I come up with an idea, a plan or a goal, I write it on a post-it and stick it on my mirror, my fridge, and my laptop because if I’m being honest- that’s where I’m usually distracted from my goals. My new favorite place to keep my goals: on my iPhone wallpaper. I’m not sure how often I click my phone on, but every time I do, I’m reminded of the goals I’ve worked hard for and the results that are within reach if I stick to them.

These are just a few of the things that have helped me stay accountable to my business and health and wellness goals the past year. Have you tried any of these? Do you have any tips of your own? I’d love to hear about them. Share in the comments!