Take a New Look at Achieving Your Goals
Author:Jean Caton Business-Lifestyle Coach
Setting and achieving goals.What a worn out and overused topic – especially around the New Year. You may be saying to yourself “Here we go again.”How many more timeswill I set the goal to get organized, lose weight, stick with an exercise program, find a new job, take steps to start my own business?Can any new approach make a difference and help me achieve and sustain the goals I set… and if so what is it?Following are some tips about setting and achieving goals that will dramatically increase your likelihood of success.
Compelling reason to achieve a goal
Focus on the outcome you want from achieving your goal.All too often people are not clear on the real reason they set the goal, and the ultimate result they want.Think about goals such as getting organized or losing weight.These are goals people repeatedly set and fail to achieve.Why?I suggest it is because they are not connected to reasons deep down inside why they want to achieve the results.
Here is an example: When a person sets a goal to lose weight they often say the reason is for their “health” or to “look better.”While these results of achieving their goals may in fact be accurate, it is often a much deeper feeling that is the genuine motivator.
The bona fide motivator for a very overweight person to lose weight may be to increase their self-esteem, to avoid the pain, hurt, and self-loathing associated with obesity, or the self-image of being a failure at losing weight.Alleviating this type of pain gets closer to the true motivation and real result a person seeks to achieve.Uncovering and focusing on the true motivator can increase success in achieving your goals. So how can you determine the true motivations that will keep you on track to achieve your goals?Spend some time pondering why you set the goal in the first place.
The Power of the Five Why’s
A powerful technique typically used to get to the root cause of a problem is asking the Five Whys.The Five Whys method works like this.
First, ask yourself the question - WHY do I want to achieve this goal?Next, immediately ask yourself again WHY I want that result.Repeat this process at least five times and you will find you are moving closer to the authentic motive of why you set the goal.
Let’s use the weight loss example again:Goal: Lose 20 pounds
Why do I want to be 20 pounds thinner?
So I will look good in clothes
Why do I want to look good in clothes?
So I will be attractive to the opposite sex
Why do I want to be attractive to the opposite sex?
So I will find a relationship
Why do I want to find a relationship?
So I will have someone to love me
Why do I want someone to love me?
Because I am lonely
As you can see this process gets you a lot closer to the true, compelling reason to lose weight.To be in a meaningful relationship is, perhaps, more compelling than simply looking good in clothes.You can continue to ask why and may even find the real place to begin is not losing weight but loving and respecting yourself for who you are –at any weight.This challenging process requires time, reflection, and scrupulous honesty with yourself.Select one of your goals and go through the five whys process and you will be amazed to discover what happens.
Make your goal a priority
Start with one goal at a time. Use the 5 whys process to become very clear on the compelling reason you want the results of the goal.Make achieving this goal your top priority.Clear your life of competing priorities.If you do not have a compelling reason and you cannot make your goal a top priority at this time, abandon the goal. This will prevent the disappointment that is inevitable - failure to achieve the goal- because the compelling reason was not clear and the priority not high.
Work your Goal
Finally, work your goal.Don’t just set a goal or make a promise to yourself to do something work your goal.Here is a good procedure to follow:
1) Write down your goal!
Writing down goals increases commitment. Start a goals journal.Make sure you write SMART goals- specific, measurable, achievable, results-oriented, and time-limited.Display your goals where you will see them often.Try the bathroom mirror, refrigerator door, next to your computer.
2) Write down your compelling reason for wanting the goal.
Write it with passion, with feeling, with energy.Emphasize the inner motivation.(Use the Five Why’s Method.
3) Create a plan made of small doable steps to get you where you want to be, with timelines.
Establish achievable dailyand weekly objectives.Review your plan frequently.
4) Create 3 to 5 empowering statements that will motivate you.
Make them positive and exciting enough to energize you and keep you motivated.Use the present tense.
5) Visualize what it is like having achieved your goal.
Visualize you are living it- taste it, feel it, smell it, see it, revel in it. Talk about it in the present tense – as if you have already accomplished the goal. Example:Having a neat and organized office is great because it saves me time not having to search for files and contact information. Journal about your goal using the present tense.
6) Start a daily routine.
Each morning review your goals, your compelling reasons and say aloud your powerful positive statements.Visualize your goal already obtained.Write out one step you will take today to achieve your goal.Then do it!No excuses - make that one step a priority!Repeat your power statements throughout the day.
7) Replace negative self-talk/beliefs with life-enhancing ones.
Know that you are the creator of your thoughts and beliefs, and choose ones that are life enhancing rather than limiting.Know that thoughts, beliefs, and inner dialog create behavior.Remember you are what you think.
8) Journal daily.
Write in your journal daily reflecting on your thoughts, emotions, barriers, possible solutions/alternatives, daily successes, your gratitude.
9) Enlist support to keep you accountable!
Find a buddy, join a group, or hire a coach.Make sure your buddy or coach is in tune with your goal, and will support you in a positive way.Stay in frequent communication.
10) Celebrate your successes!
Set up small milestones in your journey, and when you reach them, celebrate! And at the end, celebrate some more!
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Jean Caton is a speaker, coach, and marketing strategist. She works with businesswomen in corporate America, Healthcare, and entrepreneurs to challenge and support them to attain their professional and personal goals and live a life full of achievement, self-acceptance, and serenity. Jean can be reached at: MyCoachJean@JeanCaton.com