To Achieve Any Goal In 2023, Get Super Specific

It’s 2023. You may have some big goals you want to achieve. To maximize your chances of achieving anything worthwhile, prioritize the most significant outcome you expect first.

Focusing on the one thing you want from life this year is essential.

Most people often approach goal-setting with enthusiasm and optimism. However, it’s not enough to list high-level goals — you need a specific plan. Without actionable details, goals can often seem too overwhelming, and we can find ourselves stuck in the same place at the end of the year.

That means breaking down your goal into smaller, achievable steps that can be tracked and measured. It also means clarifying the why behind your goal and understanding what drives you and what you will gain from achieving it.

“It is not enough to take steps which may someday lead to a goal; each step must be itself a goal and a step likewise,” says Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

By getting super specific, you can create an action plan to help you stay motivated and on track to meet your goals.

Setting a goal is only the beginning, no matter when you create it. To achieve it, you must reduce the big picture into tiny, attainable steps to reach the finish line. Your actionable plan should include things like deadlines, milestones, and specific actions you need to take.

“Crystallise your goals. Make a plan for achieving them and set yourself a deadline. Then, with supreme confidence, determination and disregard for obstacles and other people’s criticisms, carry out your plan,” Paul J. Meyer once said.

Whether your goal is to get healthier, become more successful at work, or find more balance in life, the same principles apply.

Get clear on the outcome you want and define the small steps you’ll take to get there. Knowing the specifics makes it easier to stay motivated, measure progress, and adjust if needed. A specific plan also boosts your confidence and provides the roadmap you need to realize your goals.

It’s easy to set a vague goal like, “I want to be healthier,” but if you don’t know what that means, you won’t be able to take the steps to make it happen. By getting super specific about what you want to achieve and how you’re going to get there, you’ll be able to take the necessary action daily.

Byron Pulsifer explains, “The best way to approach a goal is to first break it down into very small bite-size steps. Each one of these steps should lead logically to the next step to be completed in a linear order.”

Here are a few tips for getting specific with your goals:

Be clear and concise. Instead of saying, “I want to be healthier,” say, “I want to lose 10 pounds and be able to run a 5K by November.” Go a step further and define what time you want to limit or do more weekly.

Define a deadline. “I want to learn Spanish” is an admirable goal, but it’s more effective to say, “I want to be conversationally fluent in Spanish by the end of the year.”

Set measurable targets. A goal like “I want to be more successful” is too vague. Instead, say, “I want to increase my annual income by 20%.”

Get detailed with your actions. “I want to get in shape” is a good start, but it’s more effective to say, “I want to work out 3 times a week, eat a balanced diet, and do yoga.”

Make sure your goals are challenging but achievable. While it’s important to set ambitious goals, be sure to set yourself up for success by setting targets that you can realistically achieve.

Be flexible with your approach. Life is unpredictable, and things may not always go according to plan. Be prepared to adjust the goal steps as needed. Feel free to make changes when necessary.

And finally, find an accountability partner who can motivate and support you throughout the process.

Remember to celebrate your progress for every specific outcome you expect or want. This will help you stay motivated and give you a sense of accomplishment, making it more likely you will achieve your ultimate goal.

This article originally appeared in Medium.