"You will find that there are no limits to what you can achieve except the limits you place on your own imagination." Brian Tracy
The bottom line of success is that you have to dream up an idea, believe it's possible, believe in yourself, take responsibility for your actions, hold yourself accountable, and then achieve the goal step by step. We all get lost in the process somewhere along the line. I often spend too much time in the dreaming phase. But at least I'm thinking. At least I am trying to make my goals a reality. I often find with my clients, that people fail because one of the following reasons.
1 No time planning or thinking
2 They don't believe it is possible
3 It takes too much time
4 It's too hard
5 There goal isn't aligned with reality or their values
6 They fail to make adjustments to the plan
7 Fear of failure or rejection
8 commitment to what they say the want
A common theme comes out of all the above excuses. We are scared to put in the work to achieve what we really want. We are scared of failing. We are scared of what others will think if we commit ourselves to something new. This is our life to lead, our trail to blaze. We must lead our own lives not reacting to our circumstances. Isn't the idea to be happy? The Dali Lama said, "...it is clear that we humans who live on this earth face the task of making a happy life for ourselves." I agree with the Dali Lama, (he's a big hitter the Lama, Huge! Sorry Caddyshack reference i couldn't help it) if you boiled down what your purpose in life is isn't it to be happy? The purpose can come in many forms, but isn't it our actions that lead us to this happiness. Another enlightened thinker, Aristotle, concluded that all human action is purposeful in someway, You are happy only when you are doing something that is moving you closer toward something that you want." The great question then becomes, what are your goals? What purposes are you aiming at? To be fulfilled we must strive for something that we want and be committed to the process.
The process comes from setting SMART goals. We have all heard of this, but often we leave out at least one of the measures.
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely
Specific To set a specific goal you must answer the six "W" questions:
*Who: Who is involved?
*What: What do I want to accomplish?
*Where: Identify a location.
*When: Establish a time frame.
*Which: Identify requirements and constraints.
*Why: Specific reasons, purpose or benefits of accomplishing the goal.
Measurable Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the exhilaration of achievement that spurs you on to continued effort required to reach your goal.
Attainable - When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. You develop the attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach them. You begin seeing previously overlooked opportunities to bring yourself closer to the achievement of your goals.
Realistic To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. A goal can be both high and realistic; you are the only one who can decide just how high your goal should be. But be sure that every goal represents substantial progress. A high goal is frequently easier to reach than a low one because a low goal exerts low motivational force.
Timely A goal should be grounded within a time frame. With no time frame tied to it there's no sense of urgency. If you want to lose 10 lbs, when do you want to lose it by? "Someday" won't work. But if you anchor it within a time frame, "by May 1st", then you've set your unconscious mind into motion to begin working on the goal.
Setting SMART goals eliminates all excuses listed above, except the management of your goals. Goals are designed to be big an audacious. We should all have a BHAG Big Hairy Audacious Goal. As Thoreau says, “Have you built your castles in the air? Good. That is where they should be built, go to work and build the foundations under them.” These foundations don't come easy, but must be built one day at a time and broken into sub goals and daily tasks like the pyramid on the right. Very quickly the labor of building the foundation becomes the path to happiness as each step brings excitement and fuels the motivational fire.
To Summarise our goals aren't a tedious process, they are simply the seeds to happiness and purpose. If these goals are aligned with your values and broken down into sub goals every moment spent leading towards your goal is a rush of excitement. “There is one quality which one must possess to win and that it’s definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and burning desire to possess it” Napoleon Hill
So to practice what I preach and hold myself accountable, I will share with you my performance goals
Loose 20 pounds by May 22nd (I am attempting to get as lean as possible for the Gulf Coast Championships I want to be 5-10 lbs lighten than my normal 210-215lb fighting weight)
Complete my race in an average of 15 min miles
Complete 1 12 minute mile
Steps to my goals
Paddle 4 days a week (1 progressive distance paddle, 1 all out mile followed by sprint intervals, 1 workout paddle mixing intervals with exercises, 1 exploration or relaxing paddle)
Weight goals- eating 6 small meals a day that average 300-400 calories
Limiting alcohol consumption- (I know my quantity, but I'm not telling)
Following a progressive and periodized exercise plan that consists of 2 days total body strength training, 1 distance run, 1 interval run, 2 days yoga or mobility work, and 1 light cardio session in addition to paddling.
All of these goals are tied to time, purpose, and are attainable. It's up to me manage them daily.
Here's to me finishing my 9 mile paddle in less than 2:15! And heres to your happiness through achieving your dreams!
Works Cited
http://www.topachievement.com/smart.html
Goals! by Brian Tracy
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