How To Help Your Friends Achieve Their Goals

Take a good look at your local ‘goal landscape’. Scan the scenery … your workplace, a family space, a mate’s house. You might be surprised (even impressed) when you see the scope and size of goals among your friends, family and workmates. Career, business, study, fitness. Central quests in the lives of people closest to you.

Helping a friend achieve their goal doesn’t have to be complicated or tiring and can be so rewarding for both you and your friend. This relationship creates lots of positive emotions, boosts your friendship, and might even inspire newfound confidence and a fresh goal for yourself!

Here are 5 simple and effective ways to help someone you love achieve their goal and be part of their life shaping experience.

1. Offer resources

Think of ways you can help your friend. It could be sharing industry knowledge; introducing them to a great contact; using your technical skills; recommending a course, book or podcast; or promoting their products or services. Let your friend know you’re “here to help” and encourage them to call on you.  

2. Share inspirational stories

Be attentive so you can offer inspiration. Show your enthusiasm and chat about a goal you’ve achieved or mention someone who’s achieved a goal similar to your friend’s. This upbeat approach will make your friend feel heard, motivated and confident.

3. Be patient

Patience is a low profile but very important form of kindness. It’s likely that for a time your friend will be pretty preoccupied with their goal. Try to share their excitement, listen well and long, and remember you’re a key part of their support system, which will help them reach their goal.

4. Suggest a coach

A coach will help your friend by providing structure, focus and accountability. They’ll celebrate the small and big wins, provide ongoing encouragement, and support your friend when they experience obstacles or uncertainty. Your friend might plan, visualise and imagine a lot. What will really get the goal underway is ACTION and this is central to coaching – to empower your friend to achieve an important and often long-held goal.

5. Tell them when and why you like what they’re doing

Whether someone’s training for a half marathon, changing career, or devoting weekends to study or a start-up, tell your friend the positive thoughts you have about their pursuit. You might acknowledge their courage, creativity or grit. Having received great support from friends and family for my own goals, I can confidently say a genuine compliment or recognising efforts can inspire persistence and quell self-doubt just when your friend needs it most.