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When approaching goals, it’s offend hard to imagine our lives any different than they currently are. The distance between where we are and where we want to be seems too great to traverse–and perhaps it is, in one day. Big changes take time and consistency. The secret, then, lies in our habits, those small items we do–or don’t do–daily.

It’s true, some changes will be big and jarring and require a leap into the unknown. Equally important, however, are the changes we make to our routines and our mindsets that allow us to build the life we want. Our lives are little more than a culmination of days. Changing our days and how we spend them will, in turn, impact the kind of lives we live.

What habits should you focus on if you want to meet your long term goals? I’m so glad you asked.

Take care of your body.

Any and all of our goals can only be accomplished thanks to our bodies. When we don’t take care of them, it only becomes more difficult to push ourselves. It is the brick-and-mortar part of our being that enables our person to interact with the rest of the world. Don’t abuse your body. Give it what it needs to thrive–plenty of sleep, lots of water, and real food.

Take care of your mind.

Meditation. Gratitude. Friendships. Great books. Time in nature. Journaling. There are many ways to take care of your mind. Find what works for you and make it a priority in every day. Establish habitual ways to take care of your mind, just like you take care of your body. Give it the same importance as eating well and working out. Your mind is your most valuable asset when it comes to reaching your goals. Make sure you give it the tools it needs to thrive.

Focus and stay present.

It’s easy to make excuses for ourselves when we are looking at the big picture and trying to accomplish too much at once. Instead, focus on today. What can you do today to move closer to your goals? Do those small things every day and you’ll soon find that you begin meeting goals all over the place.

Accomplishing our goals is a side effect of living each day with purpose. When we organize our daily routines in a way that is productive and focused, we are able to move closer to our goals while avoiding the overwhelming fear that can come with trying to make too many huge changes at once.

 

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