We’ve talked a lot over the past few weeks about understanding our WHY and then setting the vision for our future. The way we will achieve that vision is to start laying out short-term (within the next year) goals that move us closer.
The ability to set clear goals is the master skill of success. All successful people are intensely goal oriented. They have a clear picture of what they want and they are focused single-mindedly on achieving it. Goals unlock your positive mind and release ideas and energy for goal attainment. Without goals, you simply drift on the currents of life. With goals, you fly like an arrow, straight and true, to your target. Clear goals increase your confidence, develop your competence and boost your level of motivation.
Whether we achieve our goals depends on whether we take action. But what decides whether we take action in the first place? How motivated you are! Because until we understand WHY we want our goals, it’s difficult to go the extra mile. Once we understand WHY we want something (and really CONNECT with that reason) we have a lot more motivation, focus, and energy to put into achieving our goals.
Why we want our goals is totally unique to us. A pay rise may mean self-esteem and validation, or it could mean security, a holiday, or getting married. It is important for you to understand what is driving you and fully commit to your goals. Once you understand the WHY, you’ll find it easier to do what is necessary to achieve your goals.
Finding your WHY is as easy to ask asking. State one of your current goals. Then ask yourself why you want that goal. Then ask why that is important. Then ask why again and again until you uncover the real, deep reasoning behind that goal. This often takes 5 or 6 questions to get to the heart of it. Once you know why a goal is important to you, ask yourself how you will feel once you achieve that goal. What will the emotions be? Next, ask yourself why this goal is important now. Why do you want this now and it’s not something you can push until later? Finally, ask yourself how powerful this motivation is for you. If this motivation is not at least an 8 out of 10, you should pick another goal. This one isn’t powerful enough to move you to take action.
If you are struggling to set and keep goals, let’s talk through the motivations for your goals.
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