Setting Goals
Where are you going? What makes you feel you are not wasting your life? Did you ever think about your goals beyond the next 12 months?
Great achievers know your meaningful life starts with one simple step: learning how to set unreasonable goals. Once you master this skill you will never look back. You will surprise yourself and others. You will uncover unlimited opportunities.
Before we get into the details of the importance of goal setting, let's complete a straightforward exercise using your imagination.
Wake-up exercise
Great goals will pull you through difficult times. They will help you on the other side of the day
Jim Rohn
Picture yourself being 90 years old. What emotions does it stir? Does it make you feel happy? Do you see a lot of people around you begging for every single minute of your time?
Tough questions, tough questions as
Once you get started nothing and nobody will intimidate you anymore because you will be inspired by your life purpose.
Why set goals?
Eliminate "Your Best Years" lie
It's sad that so many people go to their graves with their song unsung
Zig Ziglar
Most people believe in the "Best Years" lie. They hate projecting their last years on the planet enjoying their "best years" now.
Such a lie.
What is "your best years" concept? What is this range? When does it start? When does it transition to "Worst Years"?
Nonsense.
You must learn to enjoy every single moment regardless of how old or how young you are.
Pull trough difficult days
Jim Rohn, a famous business philosopher, gives us an incredible insight about goal setting. In the "One year success plan" program Rohn says: "Great goals will pull you through difficult times. They will help you on the other side of the day. On bad days when nothing works out your exciting goals will keep you going". Bulletproof. It says it all.
Develop the right mindset
Don't trade your life for mediocre goals
Living a mediocre life will never make you happy. Don't drift aimlessly with the masses. You haven't been designed to waste your life. Find a mentor who will ask you tough questions: "Do you live your life fully? Do you enjoy what you do day in, day out? What is your purpose in life?". Stop flowing in vagueness. Start designing your life.
Eliminate ignorance
How many books did you read on improving yourself? Any books on boosting self-confidence? What about habits? Getting things done? Time management? Start raising your awareness on what the most successful and happy people do. What books they read. How they spend and value their time.
Never stop asking tough questions
Ask more questions. "Have I been surrounded by top achievers? Do they push me hard to become a better person? Do people I am associated with really care about me and push me to become a much happier and more productive individual? Am I wasting your life?" By simply asking these difficult questions you will take yourself much further towards much more enjoyable life.
Challenge yourself
Could your goals be much more ambitious? Of course. Do you believe you have limitations? Maybe. Should they stop you? No. How can you overcome your fears? By learning how deal with resistance and mastering proven goal-setting systems.
Prepare for resistance
Sudden changes in your lifestyle will attract huge resistance from both haters and loved ones. Both of them will try to stop you as hard as they can. Change doesn't come easy to those who don't believe. Ignore the first group and reassure your relatives it's a great change. Smile when people laugh at your unrealistic dreams and impossible goals. This is a proof you are on the right way.
Haters are there to hate
A critical skill to develop for a smooth journey is to learn to ignore pressure from naysayers, haters, and doubters. Such people exist to discourage and question dreams. You can't expect them to be nice. As Jim Rohn said: "Do not be naive". They deserve your compassion as they already struggle at every corner of life. Think about them from a different perspective. Do not let them poison your life and kill your dreams. They exist to make you stronger. What an angle. Stick to this thought every time someone attempts to annoy you. Their presence will strengthen you. Smile and be grateful for having them in your life.
Overcome worries from loved ones
Your family members and friends are likely to attempt to talk you out of it. Because they love you. Overcome their fears, don't let their doubts stand in your way. Explain it will benefit them as well. Get them on board. It will take time. Break out of mediocrity together. If you persist long enough some of them will become your greatest supporters. Your patience will make their lives better.
Get results fast
Learning to set goals in the most effective way takes time. To speed it up find the right coach who will assist you and keep you accountable. Start spending more time with top achievers. Inspirational leaders and mentors in the personal development industry will help you set goals and destroy your old unproductive habits.
Ignore the price
Don't give up on your dream just because it takes a lot of effort. Time will pass anyway.
Bob Proctor
When setting goals never think about the cost. Ideally your goals must be so exciting that you can't wait to get out of the bed every day to continue working on them. The price won't matter. If this doesn't help stick to Bob Proctor 's advice. He says that giving up on a huge goal due to required effort doesn't make sense. It's up to where to be in 5 years. The Will you lose weight and become fit? Will you be more healthy? Will your kids be more confident? It's your choice. The time will pass anyway.
Use S.M.A.R.T. goals
Jim Rohn, a famous business philosopher, gives us an incredible insight about goal setting. In the "One year success plan" program Rohn says: "Great goals will pull you through difficult times. They will help you on the other side of the day. On bad days when nothing works out your exciting goals will keep you going". Bulletproof. It says it all.
Living a mediocre life will never make you happy. Don't drift aimlessly with the masses. You haven't been designed to waste your life. Find a mentor who will ask you tough questions: "Do you live your life fully? Do you enjoy what you do day in, day out? What is your purpose in life?". Stop flowing in vagueness. Start designing your life.
Eliminate ignorance
How many books did you read on improving yourself? Any books on boosting self-confidence? What about habits? Getting things done? Time management? Start raising your awareness on what the most successful and happy people do. What books they read. How they spend and value their time.
Never stop asking tough questions
Ask more questions. "Have I been surrounded by top achievers? Do they push me hard to become a better person? Do people I am associated with really care about me and push me to become a much happier and more productive individual? Am I wasting your life?" By simply asking these difficult questions you will take yourself much further towards much more enjoyable life.
Challenge yourself
Could your goals be much more ambitious? Of course. Do you believe you have limitations? Maybe. Should they stop you? No. How can you overcome your fears? By learning how deal with resistance and mastering proven goal-setting systems.
Prepare for resistance
Sudden changes in your lifestyle will attract huge resistance from both haters and loved ones. Both of them will try to stop you as hard as they can. Change doesn't come easy to those who don't believe. Ignore the first group and reassure your relatives it's a great change. Smile when people laugh at your unrealistic dreams and impossible goals. This is a proof you are on the right way.
Haters are there to hate
A critical skill to develop for a smooth journey is to learn to ignore pressure from naysayers, haters, and doubters. Such people exist to discourage and question dreams. You can't expect them to be nice. As Jim Rohn said: "Do not be naive". They deserve your compassion as they already struggle at every corner of life. Think about them from a different perspective. Do not let them poison your life and kill your dreams. They exist to make you stronger. What an angle. Stick to this thought every time someone attempts to annoy you. Their presence will strengthen you. Smile and be grateful for having them in your life.
Overcome worries from loved ones
Your family members and friends are likely to attempt to talk you out of it. Because they love you. Overcome their fears, don't let their doubts stand in your way. Explain it will benefit them as well. Get them on board. It will take time. Break out of mediocrity together. If you persist long enough some of them will become your greatest supporters. Your patience will make their lives better.
Get results fast
Learning to set goals in the most effective way takes time. To speed it up find the right coach who will assist you and keep you accountable. Start spending more time with top achievers. Inspirational leaders and mentors in the personal development industry will help you set goals and destroy your old unproductive habits.
Ignore the price
Don't give up on your dream just because it takes a lot of effort. Time will pass anyway.
Bob Proctor
When setting goals never think about the cost. Ideally your goals must be so exciting that you can't wait to get out of the bed every day to continue working on them. The price won't matter. If this doesn't help stick to Bob Proctor 's advice. He says that giving up on a huge goal due to required effort doesn't make sense. It's up to where to be in 5 years. The Will you lose weight and become fit? Will you be more healthy? Will your kids be more confident? It's your choice. The time will pass anyway.
Use S.M.A.R.T. goals
How many books did you read on improving yourself? Any books on boosting self-confidence? What about habits? Getting things done? Time management? Start raising your awareness on what the most successful and happy people do. What books they read. How they spend and value their time.
Ask more questions. "Have I been surrounded by top achievers? Do they push me hard to become a better person? Do people I am associated with really care about me and push me to become a much happier and more productive individual? Am I wasting your life?" By simply asking these difficult questions you will take yourself much further towards much more enjoyable life.
Challenge yourself
Could your goals be much more ambitious? Of course. Do you believe you have limitations? Maybe. Should they stop you? No. How can you overcome your fears? By learning how deal with resistance and mastering proven goal-setting systems.
Prepare for resistance
Sudden changes in your lifestyle will attract huge resistance from both haters and loved ones. Both of them will try to stop you as hard as they can. Change doesn't come easy to those who don't believe. Ignore the first group and reassure your relatives it's a great change. Smile when people laugh at your unrealistic dreams and impossible goals. This is a proof you are on the right way.
Haters are there to hate
Could your goals be much more ambitious? Of course. Do you believe you have limitations? Maybe. Should they stop you? No. How can you overcome your fears? By learning how deal with resistance and mastering proven goal-setting systems.
Sudden changes in your lifestyle will attract huge resistance from both haters and loved ones. Both of them will try to stop you as hard as they can. Change doesn't come easy to those who don't believe. Ignore the first group and reassure your relatives it's a great change. Smile when people laugh at your unrealistic dreams and impossible goals. This is a proof you are on the right way.
A critical skill to develop for a smooth journey is to learn to ignore pressure from naysayers, haters, and doubters. Such people exist to discourage and question dreams. You can't expect them to be nice. As Jim Rohn said: "Do not be naive". They deserve your compassion as they already struggle at every corner of life. Think about them from a different perspective. Do not let them poison your life and kill your dreams. They exist to make you stronger. What an angle. Stick to this thought every time someone attempts to annoy you. Their presence will strengthen you. Smile and be grateful for having them in your life.
Overcome worries from loved ones
Your family members and friends are likely to attempt to talk you out of it. Because they love you. Overcome their fears, don't let their doubts stand in your way. Explain it will benefit them as well. Get them on board. It will take time. Break out of mediocrity together. If you persist long enough some of them will become your greatest supporters. Your patience will make their lives better.
Learning to set goals in the most effective way takes time. To speed it up find the right coach who will assist you and keep you accountable. Start spending more time with top achievers. Inspirational leaders and mentors in the personal development industry will help you set goals and destroy your old unproductive habits.
Don't give up on your dream just because it takes a lot of effort. Time will pass anyway.
Bob Proctor
When setting goals never think about the cost. Ideally your goals must be so exciting that you can't wait to get out of the bed every day to continue working on them. The price won't matter. If this doesn't help stick to
Think S.M.A.R.T whenever you set goals. With this concept all goals must be:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Results-oriented / Relevant
- Time-bound
Which one is a SMART goal? Of course the second one. Here is the explanation why.
Specific
Specific goals are targets. If it's not specific you have no idea where to shoot. Imagine trying to hit a target blindfolded and turned around multiple times. Where is the target? How are you supposed to hit it?
To be specific each goals must answer 3 questions:
- what - I want to lose 15 kilos and do 50 push-ups
- how - by going to gym 4 times a week
- why - so I can participate in a local gym competition
Measurable
Measurable goals can be tracked. If you can't measure it, you can't prove you achieved the goal. By December 25-th 2016 and lose 15 kilos and do 50 push-ups are good examples of measurable goals.
Achievable
Short term goals must be achievable. Otherwise they will discourage you and you will eventually give up. It's important to understand we are talking about short term goals here. Life goals must be huge and unrealistic. Assuming the person setting this goal is 15-20 kilos overweight losing 15 kilos, doing 50 push-ups and participate in a local gym competition in about a year time is achievable.
Results-oriented / Relevant
Results is the name of the game as Jim Rohn once said. If a goal is not result-focused it's not a proper goal. Once again, losing 15 kilos, doing 50 push-ups, and competing are good examples of result-driven goals. In addition, goals should be relevant. Ideally, they must relate to and support one of your huge long-term goals.
Time-bound
Identifying practical time-frames creates a sense of urgency. By December 25-th 2016 and the beginning of the next year give us clear indication on when the goal is to be achieved by.
The S.M.A.R.T system allows for setting and accomplishing goals in the most effective and efficient way possible. Use this framework whenever you think about your short-term goals.
Don't forget that setting challenging life goals does not always fit into the S.M.A.R.T system perfectly. Some global goals could and should be unachievable unless a real show stopper exists.
For example, you don't have to know how you will become a great speaker capable of touching thousands of lives. You can split a goal like that into smaller and more manageable S.M.A.R.T goals.
If, however, your goal is to beat Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players and you are not athletic enough this might represent a natural limitation.
Adopt ABC goals framework
You can also adopt the A-B-C goals system designed by Bob Proctor:A-goals - goals you know how to achieve. You have done it before. Sticking to such goals will not improve your life. Don't expect different results.
B-goals - something you have never done before but you wouldn't struggle achieving them. It's not beyond your realistic expectations. Better than A-goals, still not good enough for extraordinary changes in your life
C-goals - fantasies that scare and excite you at the same time. Absolutely unrealistic. Going for these goals is scary. You have no idea how to achieve them. The most successful people on the planet choose such goals. They don't care it's not clear how to get there. They want it badly. They persist. They achieve. And the whole process saturates their lives with passion, enthusiasm, and happiness.
Go for big goals in life.
Summary
Learning how to set huge goals will help you write a jaw-dropping chapter in your life regardless of how old you are. That is why mastering this skill is critical. Use S.M.A.R.T goals and A-B-C framework to get inspirational results and enjoy the process along the way.
Setting shocking goals allows for living a fulfilling life full of adventure.
Earl Nightingale in his mind blowing record "The strangest secret" explained the definition of success. According to him, "success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal". It's a journey - not a destination. If you learn to set, work through, and achieve gigantic goals one after another, your journey will never end. Keep fighting for your huge dreams and never give up.
