GOAL SETTING
YOU GO, GIRL!
"The Greatest Waste In The World Is The Difference Between What We Are And What We Could Become!"
Ben Herbster
Are you familiar with the adage that goes something like this: "IF YOU KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING, YOU'LL KEEP GETTING WHAT YOU'VE BEEN GETTING"? It appears that some of the saddest and most miserable people seem to be "stuck" in a what they perceive as a hopeless situation and have an uncanny fear of changing directions.
Do individuals who "stay the course" of an abusive relationship or remain in a job they literally despise, lack decision-making skills? Actually, remaining in a rut of fear and/or sorrow is just as much of a decision as setting your sites on playing basketball for the NBA.
In fact, the "rut" people are often quite focused and are not easily deterred from their headlong direction, no matter how painful it is for them. What would you like changed in your life? What do you think it would take to give you peace or happiness? What is keeping you from this dream?
Goal setting is a powerful process for taking control of the only life we have been given. Humans are powerful change agents. Top-notch athletes and successful business persons possess positive thinking skills that allow them to focus on the long-term future while driving them past short-term obstacles.
- Start with mental exercises. Sit in a quiet place. Allow your mind to brainstorm the kind of life you would like to be living. Dream the impossible. You might do this exercise over several days or weeks. The entire goal-setting experience rests on the visions of your conjecture. Imagine your life being just as you picture it. Avoid listening to your negative voice reminding you of obstacles.
- Write down 3 aspects of your dream life. These are your long-term goals. Envision your life once these goals are met. Believe that they will be met.
- Go into brainstorm mode again. Under each long-term goal, write between 1 - 3 short-term goals. Again, take your time in doing this exercise. Your "rutted life" was grooved at a snail's pace. True change is difficult and at times, painful. However, it is NOT impossible!
- Expect that others around you may not be supportive. You are beginning a process of living your life in a different manner than you have ever lived before. Remember, you are worth it!
- Look at your short-term goals while looking at a calendar. How much time do you think will be needed for each short-term goal? Be realistic. View your short-term goals as small targets that you must hit to eliminate viewing life as one long pointless grind. Jot the short-term goals on the calendar, each on their respective target dates.
- By knowing precisely what you plan to achieve, you will quickly spot distractions that try to lure you from your course. Another of my favorite adages is: "WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU ONLY MAKES YOU STRONGER!" Actually, your practice in dealing with the stumbling blocks will help to strengthen your self-confidence and motivation. It's an integral part of the process!
- When your negative voice speaks (AND IT WILL), look at your written goals. DECIDE to replace these ugly sounds with a mental vision of where you INTEND to someday be. Your mind is the powerful tool that will keep you moving toward your dream!
- GET CRACKING!