Whether you are training for competition, an exam, or just to get fit, some of the basic principles remain the same for achieving success. Any worthwhile achievement is going to be challenging, and by preparing the journey in advance, you are giving

yourself every opportunity to reach your goal and realize your dream. Here are 6 must-do tips if you have a desire to achieve success.

 

Get a goal:

Most of us have some kind of idea what we want to achieve. If you want to achieve success and

make the most of the valuable time that you are spending training, studying or practicing, you have to set yourself a goal. Set a challenging and worthwhile goal that you can measure within a certain timeframe. It will give you focus and drive to achieve success, as well as

a great sense of satisfaction after the goal has been achieved.

Good goals would include things like the following:

-Complete an Olympic Distance Triathlon in August 2015

-Score an average of 3 points per game (hurling or Gaelic Football)

Or, in the LC warrior case

-Achieve “x” points in the overall exams

 

Set time aside:

It's great to have goals and aspiration, and it is a starting point in any journey. However, if you want to achieve this goal, you need to set some time aside to regularly work on moving towards the goal.

If you have dedicated time set aside each day to work towards your goal, you will be consistently moving towards it. I would recommend asking yourself the following questions:

-How many months/ weeks will it take to achieve this goal?

-How many hours per week/ day can I set aside to work on achieving this goal?

-Do I need to make more time per week available for practice or study?

-If I need more time, how can I fit this into my current weekly schedule?

 

When you have answered the above questions, get your weekly calendar out, and book out the hours each week that you will be working on your goal. For example:

If your goal is to score “x” points in the exams, your schedule might look like this:

 

The above schedule allows for 9 hours of dedicated time to working towards your goal. At first

glance this may not look like a huge amount, and compared to other students, 9 hours is not that much in the greater scheme of things. However, factors such as

exercise, life balance, happiness and family commitments

must also be considered. With the schedule above you are getting a mix of

all you need that will allow for consistent progress.

Balance and consistency is key.

 

 

Don’t go it alone:

If a goal is to be worthwhile, it must be a challenge. This means that achieving your goal will not be plain sailing. Things will go wrong, setbacks will happen, and sometimes you will think that you are moving in the wrong direction. However, if you have done the steps above, you have laid your plan, and it is important to stick to it. This is where friends, family, advisors, and

teachers come in handy.

When the chips are down, the advice and support that you will receive form those in your

environment will be crucial. Having a study partner or group can be a great motivator, and will help you get out of bed,out of the house or off the TV and internet to get the study done, even if you don’t feel like doing it at first. Having people to talk to will help bring you through the tough times, and keep you going even when you think that you are pursuing a lost cause. Make your goals known to those around you so they will support you all the way to the end.

 

 

Track progress:

This is a vital point. If you have given yourself a certain time frame to achieve a goal, make sure that you are measuring progress at regular intervals.

Look at your test results and practice exam papers. Ask your teachers what you should be scoring at that specific month to be on track for your target Grades. If you are on track to hit your goal, keep doing what you’re doing. If you are not on track, you need to look at your study habits. Think of ways that you can monitor progress in your own quest to achieve your goal whatever it may be.

 

Reward progress:

When you achieve a landmark, or take a step in the right direction towards your goal, reward yourself in some way. This may not be grade related. This may be balance and lifestyle related.

If you get your target 2 liters of water per day in each day for a week- reward time! Make sure your rewards are satisfying and enjoyable.

It will serve as a positive reinforcement, and as a bit of mental relief from the hard graft. Be careful that your reward does not undo all your good work however!

Session anyone? No! Take it easy!

 

Enjoy the journey:

At the end of the day, our sporting, career, musical, fitness, study and performance goals are things that we should get satisfaction and enjoyment out of. Enjoy the course that you have laid out for yourself, and have fun with practice and with the people around you. If things do not go your way,don’t fret. Sometimes you can try too hard, and relaxing and letting things happen is often the best way of achieving your goal. Trying too hard can cause tension and stress, none of which are beneficial! Remember the old proverb ‘Seek and you shall not find’ when you feel yourself getting too uptight about your goals and training. You have a good plan, and are moving consistently towards you goal. Keep it fun, and you will be on the right road!