Pablo Picasso's words were very wise words indeed!

Read them again... carefully!

He makes two very critical points...

1. You must believe in your goals!
2. You must do something to achieve your goals!

Now, these may seem like pretty obvious things to say, but how often have you set goals, or made resolutions, based on other people's wishes for you... and then done nothing to achieve them.

People often try and lose weight, take up exercise or try and give up smoking because they're 'nagged' to do so.

In almost every case this will fail.

Your goals must be exactly that... your goals!

OK, let's get to business!

You may have set goals in the past that aren't quite going to plan.

You may have made resolutions in years gone by that've gone a bit flat.

Do you just give up and start again?

Or is there a better way forward?

Well, from a coaching point of view, I always like to move forward.

So here goes...

1. You cannot achieve goals unless you make time to do so. Simple really, and it expands on the point made by our friend Pablo! If you've taken the time to decide you want to achieve something... if you've taken the time to decide you want to change something in your life, then you're going to have to make some time to work on it. Simple. That may mean giving something up, or maybe just cutting the time you currently spend doing something. How about watching a bit less TV? How about getting up 30 minutes earlier each day?
2. Priorities should dictate your schedule. What are the most important things or who are the most important people in your life. Decide... and then make sure you spend most of your time on these things and with these people. The rest can fit in around them... if time permits!
3. Your goals and resolutions must be your goals and resolutions. As I mentioned above, don't set goals or resolutions because you're being nagged into it. It simply won't work. Do things because you want to do them.
4. Goals require resources. This might mean new equipment, more time, different food etc. When you set a goal, make a list of everything you'll need to see it through and then go out and get it... all of it! This will increase your motivation and take away any excuse for not achieving your goal!
5. Do at least one thing every day to move you towards your goal. That's it... simple. Refuse to go to bed until you have!
6. Find someone to motivate you. Guess you know what's coming here! Look I'm a life coach... motivating people is my job! It's what I do best! I'd recommend you get a coach, but if you can't, look closer to home... try your partner, brother, sister, friends... but make sure they're positive and that they want you to succeed. They won't be as good as a coach (sorry!), but they'll be better than nothing!
7. Build up to change - start small and get bigger. One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to run before they can walk. If your goal is to exercise for 30 minutes each day, don't start with 30 minutes on your first day! Do a week of 5 minutes per day... then build up each week... at your own pace. But set your target date for when you want to be doing 30 minutes per day. Get the idea?
8. Make better use of your time. Your time is important. It's the only resource that you can't replenish. Once it's gone it's gone. No going back! No buying more! So don't waste it sitting around doing nothing or watching TV etc. Also, don't let other people drain this vital resource. Remember... prioritise your time... point 2 above!

So, how do you feel now?

A bit down because you've let your goals or resolutions slip?

If so, don't be!

This is the start of the rest of your life!

Make it count!

Lock yourself away for a couple of hours or so with a pad and pen and my list above and work out how you can move forward from right now to achieve your goals and resolutions.