Most important things

that I have picked up on to help keep focused on a goal:

1. Little things- did you go on a 15 min. walk or did you sit down and watch tv? type that 1/2 page response or whittle away on facebook? did you get ranch dressing or balsamic vinaigrette? Chicken nuggets or a deli sub?  You can't walk 100 miles without walking 75 miles or 50 miles or 1/4 of a mile.  Goals need consistence and persistence.
2. Put pride in everything you do- because then it is a reflection of yourself to others and is a motivator help you put forth your best effort. No one is ever proud of half-ass, shoddy work, so don't do it!
   
3. Positive thoughts ALWAYS- There is ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS a good side to everything that happens to you or to those around you. Even if it's a "small" positive, put the negativity aside because its cancerous. Obstacles happen in life, but those who rise up will reap the rewards. "Think of yourself as on the threshold of unparalleled success. A whole, clear, glorious life lies before you. Achieve! Achieve!"- Andrew Carnegie
4. Failure=Success- Learn from failures.  I see many people that get discouraged when they're not perfectly doing something their first try.  Learn from your mistakes and apply that knowledge to future tries.  Failure is the greatest teacher.  For my engineering project this semester we're learning how to make a computer program to control an intersection of traffic lights.  They told us to pretty much teach yourself to program (which is one of the reasons why I like this school).  I failed many, many times during lab but now I can program in Python like a champ. You get out what you put in. 
5. Watch out for pessimistic people- they drag you down and soon you start adopting these traits unconsciously. Misery loves company and that's the truth.  Help pick these people up but don't let them get in the way of you achieving something great. Lupe Fiasco said it best: Never ever put em down, you just lift your arms higher.
   
6. Goals are easier when: you put yourself with people that similar goals and when you "broadcast" your goals to everyone you know. The former helps by giving you a support group and the latter keeps you accountable.
7. Empowering music- especially for workouts but I even like to listen to them in the car. Draw motivating music from different genres. Personally right now I like ,
   
8. Reward yourself- Life is not about having the perfect diet, perfect job, perfect grades. Take some time to relax, smell the roses, take some pictures (check previous post I did this on a 3 hour bike ride ha), and eat some chocolate. I eat those Whoppers candies every Sunday like nobody's business
9. Be GTH-  Not a variation of GTL(gym, tan, laundry) but rather be grateful, thankful and helpful to everyone who helps you on your journey. This may seem like common sense but a lot of times we get so focused on our own goals that we forget about others, the help they have given us, and the help that others need. Always keep in mind who helps you along the way because without them reaching your goal may be very hard and sometimes without their help you would have never even had a shot.

* By no means is this an all-inclusive list, I'm always looking for ways to improve myself!