Goal Setting
Think About your Goal
Reality is first created in the mind. In fact, everything we created in our life (Positive or Negative) is initially thought about first. The mind is so powerful in that sense, that we can literally achieve anything we want by just focusing on it. However, in most cases we are controlled by our mind, telling ourselves stories: I’m not good looking enough, its hard to make money; I can never get this relationship, this house, this career, this life…This are simply stories we keep telling ourselves. So The first step would be to Reclaim the Ownership of our Mind.
This can be done by making goals and believing that we can achieve them.
Base your goals on your ultimate end, not on each step. Focus on the end, not the means. Keep your goals as simple as you possibly can. Keep it all as simple as possible. Write it all down and keep it somewhere, but only do one or two things at a time.
What happens if you don’t feel like doing something that you have committed to yourself that you will do? Think about why you should do it. Then, do something that will inspire your desire to do that thing
as when you were inspired and made the goal in the first place.
Ask yourself “Will reaching this goal†. . .
1. make me happier?
2. make me healthier?
3. make me more prosperous?
5. give me peace of mind?
6. make me more secure?
7. improve my relationships with others?
It seems to be all about the willpower (but when that fails, pump yourself up and re-inspire yourself to accomplish the goal) – pick out something you really want to do. Resolve to accomplish the goal and post goal posters around where you spend a lot of your time.
Pick a small goal to start out with to build self-confidence. Pick something you already do sometimes that you want to make into a habit Do *ONE* goal at a time – keep the process very simple.
Make larger plans for larger goals (getting a degree, etc.) Write down the steps that it will take you to reach larger goals and break these down into manageable steps that you will achieve successfully. Write down every step to accomplish each goal clear through the last step.
Act on your Goal
The longer you wait the more you condition yourself to keep waiting. This is called procrastination. You will forever be known as a “gunna.†One day I’m gunna do that! Yeah, sure you will. Whatever it is that you’re “gunna†do – do it NOW! ~Gary Simpson
If you need help from someone, consult a person who has already accomplished the goal you are setting out to achieve. Change your environment to be conducive to the accomplishment to your goals. Have confidence that you will be able to reach your goal.
It would be best to organize your efforts in a calendar writing down what you wish to do and when. Schedule times to work on your goals. Make time or you won’t make the goal
Learn to gracefully say “no” to others
Find the information sources you need to learn all you can about your goal.
Pick a positive phrase to tell yourself throughout the day: “I am thankful that I only eat good food.”
Welcome mistakes/failures. Failure is an important part of your successes. Good habits take time. Be persistent and consistent and diligent. Pray about your goals and involve a higher power. Daily prayer will invite the “higher powers†help.
Recognize and celebrate your successes
Come up with some kind of reward system where you reward all good progress. There are many great opportunities in life to celebrate, but a reaching a goal such as a completing the payoff of a debt is a big deal. It comes at the end of a long, hard struggle to push down the balance and, if you’re lucky, pay it off early.
I would recommend reading the 6 part Self Discipline series for more tips on goals and goal setting.
1) Self Mastery and Discipline
2) Self Discipline: Acceptance
3) Self Discipline: Willpower
4) Self Discipline: Hard Work
5) Self Discipline: Industry
6) Self Discipline: Persistence
