As I write this in a hotel lobby, a Christmas song is drifting down the corridor. A soft voice is singing “It’s that time of year” It’s from a Christmas song and I’m sure you can probably sing it, but I might get you started and then you’ll be cursing me because you can’t get it out of your head.
Too late? Oops, Sorry!!
As the New Year beckons, the media push ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ to the forefront of our consciousness, and we jump on. Goals, Dreams, Aspirations. Yes, this year will be the year.
If you have some big plans for 2018, then I really want to help. But I must share something with you from the outset. The strategies you need to employ to achieve your goals are actually very simple, but they’re not easy. I once said that to a group of thirty somethings. They appeared confused. “Isn’t that a contradiction?” they asked.
“Well, what is one of the key strategies to achieving your goals”, I asked them? “What is one of the things you should do?”
“Write them down” a few replied.
“Do the rest of you agree”, I enquired.
“Yes”, was the unanimous response.
“Ok so, you all agree you should write them down – that it will help you”.
I asked for a show of hands of who agreed.
Everyone.
I posed one final question to illustrate my theory that goal setting strategies are simple but not easy.
“Raise your hand if you write down your goals”.
Of the 40 or so people in my audience that day, only three raised their hands.
You see, the strategies to achieving your goals are quite simple and I will cover a few of them here to get you started. But if you only get one thing from this article, it’s this.
You have to get uncomfortable to bring your goal to life. The strategies are simple but the delivery isn’t easy. The Universe is very happy for you to have growth in your business, a half marathon medal or that first book you’ve always dreamt of writing – but it will never come to you. You have to be prepared to get uncomfortable. You have to be prepared to stretch yourself. You have to be prepared to do some things you might never have done before.
That’s the key.
Let me share some things to get uncomfortable in. These will get you to the start line of making your future goals come true.
Create a Vision
Close your eyes and picture what it is you want to achieve. In 2009, I did this myself. I pictured myself in front of a corporate audience speaking about goal setting, motivation and leadership. Within a year of picturing what I wanted to achieve in my head, I was doing it as a full time business.
What is that for you? A year from now, what would you like to have made happen in your life? Picture what success is for you right now. If you don’t think this has merit, here is a quote from Walt Disney. He was talking about his goal to build Disneyland,
“Always remember that this whole thing started with a picture of a mouse in my head.”
When you’re finished, draw it. Think that’s silly? Well remember the “get uncomfortable” bit from earlier. Here is your chance to show you have what it takes.
Get Specific
Want to get fitter? Grow your business? Learn a new language? All very commendable. They are on my list too. But go deeper. These statements are too vague.
Define what you mean by fitter. To be able to run a 5k in under 30 minutes – now that’s a specific goal.
Here are some other examples
Complete the women’s mini marathon in June, speak conversational Spanish by November, be able to swim a kilometre without stopping by August, play three chords on a guitar fluently by the start of the summer or have your book published in the Spring of 2018.
You will have noticed I added in some dates…
I encourage you to get uncomfortable by writing down your goals –maybe for you, it’s the first time- and make sure to give them deadlines.
How?
What needs to happen for this goal to happen? A goal without a plan is just a wish.
What is your plan? Is it two piano lessons a week to reach Grade Three, three gym sessions to achieve certain strength, four writing blocks a month to finish your novel or five study periods every week to reach your academic goal.
You must have a plan and I encourage you to write that down too. Writing it down, helps you live it more.
Make Copies
Finally, after you have committed your vision, your goals (with deadlines) and your plan to paper, get uncomfortable in one final thing.
Make several copies and leave one on your fridge, in your office, in your car and in your handbag or gym bag. These will serve as a daily reminder to what you want to achieve. It will also help you stay on track as you hold yourself accountable. You might also find yourself subconsciously reviewing your progress each time you see it in front of you.
Now you’re at the start line.
The next step is action.
That can be simple too but…
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