Reaching our goals is not as hard as we think, but does require deliberate effort, regular monitoring, positive reinforcement and support. As I learned from Shark Tank’s Daymond John, we cannot underestimate the power of establishing a plan for reaching our goals. An interview that John did with Lewis Howe’s School of Greatness podcast inspired this article. You can listen to the interview here.

Read on for six more steps to help you achieve your goals:

1. Identify people, resources or skills needed.

You may have to take a class or do an in depth self-study on a particular subject to educate yourself on a new skill, or re-educate yourself on an old skill that you will need. Don’t be too ashamed or prideful to ask for help. You can’t do it alone. You will need the support, encouragement and assistance of others. Identify and acquire the resources, skills and/or people you will need to achieve your goals and go to work.

2. Create new habits.

You must find a way to implement a different routine that will yield the results you desire. No matter how small or big the goal you set, you must create and implement new habits to achieve it.

Forming new habits is hard. It requires daily action. The promise of rewards may drive you in the beginning. But if you don’t remain consistent and committed, after a couple weeks, your drive will fizzle out and you will return to business as usual. If you want your new habits to stick, believe you can change, and take action daily.

3. Take action.

Once you have a written goals plan it is your responsibility to take the appropriate action to achieve success. You can’t wait for the right deal, the right people to support you or the right situation to happen before you take action. You could have written the most captivating, compelling and challenging goal possible, but if you don’t take a course of action to implement your plan, your goal will remain a stagnant dream.

4. Monitor your goals regularly.

As you move forward with your goals, it is important to periodically monitor them to know where you are in case you have to make any adjustments or changes. You may need to alter your action plan, or you may have to extend the time for completing a certain step toward achieving the overall goal. You also may discover that a goal you set needs to be eliminated because it no longer aligns with your life’s vision. Monitoring your goals regularly will put you on the right course to goals achievement.

5. Reward yourself.

Achieving your goals doesn’t have to be all work and no play. During the process of reaching your goals, you should implement rewards that follow key steps in your action plan. This will help enforce your desire to move forward to the next step.

A rewards plan will make your goal achievement a fun and exciting process. Now don’t overdo it with rewards, because you still have an overall goal to reach. However, your small victories deserve applause! This recognition will reinforce where you are going, and provide an incentive to get the job done.

6. Keep moving forward.

Five motivators to help you keep moving forward in your goals progress.

  1. Commit to your specific goals path regardless of setbacks, challenges or failures.
  2. Continually surround yourself with people who will encourage your forward movement.
  3. Consistently show up every day to do the work necessary to achieve your goals.
  4. Confidently operate in your abilities, talents and gifts.
  5. Courageously fight through the temptation to quit.

Implementing these twelve steps (here are the first six steps) is a continuous process and a tremendous learning experience, but with a committed plan and consistent action you can achieve your goals faster than you thought was possible.

“There is no short cut to achievement. Life requires thorough preparation – veneer isn’t worth anything.” George Washington Carver