Many of us start a New Year by making ‘resolutions’ to change some element of our life.
Unfortunately, many fall by the wayside for a number of reasons – see if any of these ring a bell:
There is truth in the saying ‘Life is what we make it’ and you will achieve far more if you turbo boost your resolutions by setting yourself some specific targets. Start by thinking about your life and all the things you would like to “be”, “do” or “have”…then turn these into powerful goals using these 5 ‘P’ tips for wording a goal:
1. Make it PERSONAL – what YOU really want…imagine what life would be like if you had this – visualise, hear the sounds and feel the emotions. Ask how much this would change your life.
2.. State it in the PRESENT TENSE – a goal without a date is just a dream. Make it compelling by ‘acting as if’
3. Phrase your goal in the POSITIVE– our brain is teleological – ie all the actions we take subconsciously are purposeful – towards an end. However, when we feed our brain with ideas, it hears the main concept rather than the context – eg in Stop smoking – it seizes on the word SMOKING and that becomes more compelling.
2. Check that it’s realistic – POSSIBLE yet challenging
5. Make PLANS – if the goal is a big one, break it down into smaller chunks with timescales and resources identified – know what your first step or milestone is and plan when to take it/reach it.
Check your commitment and enthusiasm – if you could have this outcome right now would you take it? If the answer is not a resounding YES then reconsider whether you do truly want this.
If you have trouble with procrastination, then read the Get the Habit 3 article on putting First things First.
A final thought from Brian Tracy, author of a number of motivational books on achieving goals. In his promotional blurb for No Excuses – The Power of Self Discipline (http://www.briantracy.com/catalog/product.aspx?pid=965&cid=18) he reminds us:
“You all want to make more money, spend quality time with your families, be fit and achieve financial independence.
Not only do you all want the same things, but you know what it takes to achieve them. And someday you intend to do them. Someday you’ll get your finances together…
Someday you’ll make more money… Someday you’ll spend more time with your family… Someday you’ll achieve your goals and realize your dreams… Someday!
Wake up and smell the coffee!
You’re living on Someday Isle. And what’s worse is 80% of the population is living there alongside you.
If you don’t vote yourself off of ‘Someday Isle,’ you’re doomed to spend the rest of your life there—because someday never comes.”
So take some action – be a Dream Maker and move yourself forward and achieve those goals.
If you need a helping hand to focus your thoughts, set powerful goals, break down the steps and take accountability for action, you know where I am!