BE A GOAL DIGGER
Is it just me, or does it seem like each year goes by faster and faster? One minute you’re celebrating New Year’s Eve with all of your family and friends, and the next minute…it’s the summer time! 2018 went by so fast and this year is going to go by even faster. Time is going to pass by whether we like it or not, but the reality is that most people find themselves in the exact same place they were in last year, and next year they’ll probably be in the same place they are in now… and they complain about it! Jim Cathcart, a noted professional speaker, once said, "Most people aim at nothing in life and hit it with amazing accuracy." We have no reason to complain about what we get or where we find ourselves in life, especially if we don't specify exactly what we want and take action towards achieving it.
With a new year, now is the perfect time to reflect on 2018 (what you did, what you learned, what you want to improve on) and re-evaluate or create goals for 2019! I believe everyone has goals and dreams (whether they are actively working towards them or not). But let’s SUPER-CHARGE our goals! Let’s set goals the right way (a way that gives you the instant ability to achieve them). Here is how…
Do you have goals?
WRITE THEM DOWN- The first step is to put them on paper. Write your goals down in first person, present tense, positive language. Say what you WILL DO, not what you won’t. Your goals should sound as if they have already happened. For example, if my goal is to have an A in chemistry class by the end of the school year, my goal will sound something like this: “On May 30th, I am an A student in my Chemistry class.”
KEEP THEM S.I.M.P.L.E.!!
-Specific: the “what” and “when” must be clear. The more clear and specific the goal is, the easier it is to accomplish. Most people set general goals, like “get in shape.” What does that even mean? Be specific; “I am in a health club and I work out 3 days a week” is much more specific. Clarity creates velocity.
-Important: your goals must be in line with your values and what you believe in most. They’ve got to be meaningful to keep you FIRED UP! Understand that PURPOSE is stronger than outcome. Don’t just set goals for the sake of having goals; you must determine the reason or the WHY behind each goal you set, and this WHY has to be stronger than your daily grind. Your REASON to succeed must be greater than your EXCUSE to quit.
-Measurable: you have to be able to track your progress in order to stay on course and know that you’re headed in the right direction. “Get in shape” is not measurable, “Lose 5 lbs.” is.
-Practical/Possible: your goals need to be realistic. Learning how to swim is realistic, becoming a mermaid is not. The goal can still be scary high, but within reach if you are willing and able to work for it. If you are not willing or able, then it’s not practical. Only you can be the judge of this.
-Legitimate: your goals must be justifiable. When you can justify your goals, you begin to develop the attitudes, skills and financial capacity to attain them.
-End date: put a date on each of your goals. A goal without a date is just a dream (quoted from Milton Erickson). You might say “well what’s wrong with dreaming?” There’s nothing wrong with it… but we’re talking about how to achieve goals, not how to dream about them. Having a time frame will keep you accountable and create the sense of urgency you need to go for it and get after it!
REVIEW THEM DAILY- Literally carry them with you! Post them in places where you can see them on a daily basis (mine are above my mirror, in my shower, in my wallet, in my car… I can’t hide from them), and read them OUT LOUD multiple times a day; when you wake up and before you go to sleep. I’m serious… It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy when you are affirming your goals and speaking them into existence. I can talk for hours on this but I’ll just stop there.
Goal setting can be very fun. For me, I like to set 2 long-term goals and 3 short-term goals every month. The long-term goals are usually 1-3 years out, and the short term goals are within the year (1-6 months). I’ve found that the more goals I have on my list, the LESS chances I have of accomplishing them because my focus is all over the place. (20 goals= 0-1 accomplishments; 10 goals= 2-3 accomplishments. 5 goals= 3-5 accomplishments). So keep your list short and sweet, but if you follow the steps I mentioned above, your 2019 will be filled with more growth and success than you’ve ever imagined! You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Blessings and Love,
Marti Reed