Ready to make your goals a reality?

Setting goals is actually good for mental health and life satisfaction.

So what’s the deal?

How to Accomplish Goals: Goal Plan Action letter board on a desk

Photo: Getty Images

Here, psychologists share some tried-and-true strategies that really work.

Practice cognitive restructuring.

One tool therapists use in cognitive-behavioral psychology to help their clients shift their perspective is cognitive restructuring.

So, for example, say your goal is to incorporate more vegetables and whole grains into your diet.

So you give up on the goal entirely.

This is a common habit, but isn’t healthy or helpful.

Create a clear, exciting vision of your success.

That’s why a vivid and inspiring vision of your success can help you stay on track.

Place these inspiring photos in a place you see every single day.

Break large goals into digestible micro-goals.

Let’s say one of your greatest aspirations is to reorganize your home.

This way, you don’t become overwhelmed by the task ahead.

Give positive purpose to your goals.

When brainstorming your goals, think about thewhybehind them.

Do you want to enrich your life?

Make your day-to-day routine smoother?

Find more satisfaction with your job, relationship, or self-esteem?

Are you actually ready for a big change?

Do the prep work, every time.

Part of remaining on the course to success is doing the prep work.

In other words: Make it easier for yourself by eliminating potential roadblocks.

Enlist your crew or one buddy you might trust.

There’s always power in joining forces with someone else.

We naturally remain motivated and focused when we have constant support and accountability, Stensby says.

List the benefits of your chosen goal.

Acknowledge your wins.

Or probably in a weekor a month.

Instead, it takes trial and error, some days when you thrive and others when you struggle.

Instead, Ditzell says it’s essential to pause and recognize every tiny step forward you make.