The average human mind thinks between 12,000 and 70,000 thoughts per day. Can you believe that?

Yes, that’s a wide range, but it’s crazy on either end of the spectrum. There’s a LOT going on in our heads every day.

With that said, I think goal setting is an incredibly compassionate thing we can do for ourselves.

I mean, if we’re going to have that many thoughts, then why not give ourselves some direction, right?

Here are my 3 favorite tips for successful goal setting.

1. Set a goal from a place of abundance.

Let’s say you want to lose weight.

If you’re saying over and over to yourself, “I’m fat. I need to lose weight,” then you’re reinforcing the very thing you’d like to change.

If you keep saying, “I’m fat,” then your mind believes it.

And then you’re fighting an uphill battle. See, you’re telling yourself you’re fat, but you’re trying to make yourself something other than what you’re telling yourself you are. (Whew, did you follow that?) See the conflict?

What if you went with something like, “I’m so happy and grateful to have a healthy body that I love,” and made decisions from there? How would things change if you kept telling yourself that you have a healthy body?

If you decide to truly fill your body with love and respect, then your body will respond.

Setting a goal from a place of abundance sets you up to succeed.

2. Write it down.YogiBerra

I am a HUGE proponent of writing things down. Not just on your computer or phone, but actually taking out that retro writing utensil and writing on an old fashioned piece of paper.

I’ve seen time and time again the power of pen to page, and writing down what you want gets it out of your head and into the world.

Writing down a goal makes it real.

3. Do a Thought Download

Every time I set a new goal, the first thing I do is go straight to my journal and do what I call a Thought Download. 

I set a timer for 10 minutes, and I write as fast as I can every single thought that comes to mind. I don’t stop to think, I just write it all down and get it out.

Then, when I’m finished, I can go back and look at all the thoughts that are going to be in my way as I try to achieve my goal. Once I look at them all on paper, I can see what I’m dealing with—and usually how ridiculous my worries are, too.

Get it all out!

Empower yourself to be exactly who you want to be. Do it now. Time is too precious to waste.