Learn how to agree despite indications against it.

Originally Published May 2, 2016.

Have you ever set a goal with the best of intentions, feeling completely convicted that you will do whatever it takes to achieve it? You become focused, determined, and inspired, ready to take on the world. But then, something happens. It could be life throwing unexpected challenges your way, or simply losing motivation. Regardless, the result is the same - the deed never gets done.

So what can you do when your initial enthusiasm is followed by a series of setbacks and "no's"? Here are a few tips to help you stay on track and reach your goals.

Firstly, raise the stakes. Make the cost of not doing something far greater than yourself. For example, if you don't clean your room, you could potentially be cluttering your mind, which could lead to a cluttered work life, which in turn leads to nowhere. And that's just not acceptable for you. By raising the consequences, you are more likely to take action.

Secondly, weigh the cost and benefit. Is the time or resources you have to give up now worth the future goal you are trying to achieve? For instance, if you're looking to start financially planning for your retirement, is that new purse really worth sacrificing your savings for? Sometimes, the penalty has to be dire in order for us to take action. So consciously decide if the end result is worth the sacrifice.

Another effective strategy is to find an accountability partner. This could be a reliable and annoying ally who you trust to keep you on track. Let them know your goal and ask them to check in with you at regular intervals. The key here is to choose someone who you would hate to disappoint more than yourself. This will give you the extra push you need to stay on course.

It's also important to realize the possibility of failure. If you don't take action and meet your goals, you have failed. And that's not okay, is it? So when those "no's" start to creep in, consider the consequences of not looking past them to your "yes". Remember, your yes is always worth the sacrifice, while your "no" gets you nowhere.

So let this be your motivation. And don't forget, the job market is looking good, with a decline in unemployment benefit applications. So let's keep pushing forward and achieving our goals.

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