As we mentioned in a previous post, it’s true that setting a goal is an important first step. But goal setting is easy. Just think how many times you have said, “I want to quit smoking” or “I want to lose weight” or “I want a better paying job.” These are all goals that people set.

Defining a goal, whether it is quitting smoking or losing weight or something else, is the first step in reaching that goal. The problem is this: that’s as far as most people get. And when they don’t back up their words with actions, they continually fail to meet their goals.

Once you have set a goal, there are three things you need in order to actually achieve that goal.

#1: Commitment
In order to reach your goals, you need commitment. In addition, you also need to be confident that you are committed to working towards achieving your goal. When you feel a strong commitment towards achieving your goal, it is much easier to make necessary sacrifices, overcome obstacles, effectively deal with conflict, and devote yourself to the effort.

Achieving your touch typing goal, whether it is speed or accuracy or both, most likely will require certain sacrifices. You’ll need time to practice, and if your schedule is already full, you will need to decide what you will sacrifice, temporarily, in order to free up time to practice. Your actions must display a commitment to being ready and willing to make those sacrifices, whatever they are. Until you are committed, it will not be possible to achieve your goal.

#2: Time
Besides commitment, you also need to create a timeline for achieving your goal. A timeline is crucial to keeping your goal on track. Obviously, if you are starting out with no previous typing experience other than being able to “hunt-and peck,” it will take you longer to achieve your goal than it might for someone who is more familiar with keyboard layout.

If you want to begin applying for a new job by a certain date, you can use that date as a deadline for accomplishing your goal. Then you can work backwards from that deadline when identifying the dates by which you plan to achieve smaller accomplishments that move you towards your ultimate goal.

Defining a timeline is also going to help in another important way. It’ll make it easier to gauge the amount of time you will need to spend each day working towards your goal so you can turn that goal into reality.

#3: Planning
In order to meet your goal, you’ll need to develop a plan of action for overcoming the obstacles you’re likely to encounter. If you’re as busy as most people are, one of your biggest obstacles will likely be finding time to use Typesy to develop your touch typing skills. We’re all so busy juggling our jobs, our families, and so many other daily chores and responsibilities that finding time to improve ourselves often falls to the bottom of the priority list. But when you believe strongly in your goal, you will find a way to overcome whatever obstacles stand in the way of your success.