Step 1: Know what you’re seeking. To change your life, you first need a vision of change that’s very clear and specific. If you’re trying to break a habit or learn a new skill, figure out what specifically that looks like for you.

Reflection: Creating and managing a succesful business and career.

Self Question: Okay, what’s a successful business look like? How much money? How many employees? What type of service?

Step 2: Set trigger goals. Trigger goals are micro-changes you can set up in your life to help you achieve a larger goal. For example, if you are trying to build a new exercise routine, a trigger goal for yourself could be to get dressed in your workout clothing 4 days that week. This will make you more likely to stick with your larger goal and ultimately change your life.

Reflection: What type of trigger goals can you set up in your life right now to help you get to your larger goals?

Answer: I could go to bed earlier, set my alarm to wake up at 4:30am, have my workout clothe next to my bed, workout, stretch, and start reading and writing by 5:30am.

Step 3: Set improvements goals. Improvement goals are numbers with a date attached to them. These goals will help you set up a feedback loop so you can measure if you’re moving towards your goal or not.

Reflection: What type of systems do you have in place to track, manage and achieve your goals?

Step 4: Get social support. This could be a coach, mentor, online community or even a friend who has gone through what you’re going through before. These are people who can cheer you on as you change your life.

Reflection: Do I have the social support? If I don’t have it, how can I get it? Are my social skills up to part? Have I established and kept good connections with those around me?

Step 5: Script your setbacks. Prepare for setbacks by knowing how you’ll deal with them as they come up. Anticipate how you’ll feel and react ahead of time so you’re prepared and ready to respond in a way that won’t throw you off your goal.

Reflection: Write in your journal potential problems and possible solutions. This will help you THINK and improve your decision making. This is actually a great exercise to practice everyday.

Source: Todd Herman