Do you strive to achieve life changing goals all year round or do you just resolve to change a couple of habits around the new year? New Years Resolutions are an old habit. Begin the new year with new resolutions. Out with the old in with the new. At least that's the principle. Its a great idea, but with limitations. Especially if its something you do just once a year, then forget about it.
This Inspired By Coaching article will show you how to set goals that could literally change your destiny.
Resolve to create powerful goals for yourself this year
There is nothing new about setting powerful goals. At the time of creating a new year resolution, people often think that this goal is going to change their lives. They may even be fired up with enthusiasm for a while, a few weeks perhaps. Eventually the motivation fades away and mundane normality resumes. Have you seen this happen before?
People just cant see the progress that is being made. They cant see the root system growing and expanding beneath the surface as they try out their new habits. They completely miss their potential as it expands outward to new fertile ground. Just as the tiny seedling is about to break through they stop nurturing the goal and instantly the dream fades from view. I've even done this myself, and I bet you have too!
The seven most common mistakes people make when setting goals
1. They don't make the goal specific. If you want to lose weight state the specific weight or size you want to achieve. If you want more money, how much? If you want a better relationship define specifically what makes it better.
2. They don't fully visualise the end step. This means being clear about what a successful goal actually looks like. That also means you will recognise it when it happens.
3. They don't commit the goal to paper. Having a written goal is an aid to achieving goals. You can use just words or even make a vision board.
4. They don't set clear, shorter term milestones. When you only focus on the big picture, it is easy to become overwhelmed or even disconnected with the end goal. This fuels procrastination and excuses. Shorter milestone goals help keep you focused and making positive progress.
5. They don't review their progress or celebrate small success, or obstacles that they have overcome. Actually, some people see the obstacles as so huge that they will never overcome them.
6. They miss the opportunity for personal breakthroughs.
7. They find lots of excuses to procrastinate. Which is another way of saying they ran out of leverage, or motivation. Commitment to a goal is not an easy thing to maintain without practice, discipline and accountability.
How do you want your life to be a year from now?
It is not that there is anything wrong with having a twelve month goal. They are a great way to start your next twelve months priorities, whenever you decide to get started. Why not start in the New Year? You just need the right strategy, the right support, and the consistency of action to achieve life changing goals.
The Tony Healer Coaching four step solution for life changing goals
Here are our four must do steps for successful goals:
First, break the bigger goal into shorter term chunks
Then you can see some positive results, and celebrate them.
As you make progress, small successes become bigger successes which means you can expand the goal as required. You may have heard the phrase “Success breeds success”, which really means that as you build momentum and maintain your motivation you achieve the milestones along the way. Celebrate and review how your longer term goals become even more achievable.
You may even find yourself so motivated that you push yourself further and faster, which means you are achieving life changing goals sooner.
We believe “ninety day”, “thirteen weeks”, or “three month” goals are the most effective milestones for a twelve month goal. (The period is the same, but how you refer to it can make a world of difference to your results).
Why thirteen weeks? Well, there are fifty two weeks in a year, so a thirteen week goal takes you through the first quarter. We simply break the twelve month goal down into four inspiring milestone goals. Can you imagine what it would be like to consistently achieve four inspiring goals every year?
Second, you must write the goal down where you can refer to it to review and refocus
You can also make a visible representation of the goal, like a “vision board” for example. Some of our amazing clients find that vision boards really help keep the momentum going, and can even act as a motivational boost when the mood slips.
When you write your primary goal, keep it simple, specific and focused on the achievement of what you want, not what you don't want. For example, instead of saying I don't want any debt on my credit card, say “I want to clear the balance from my credit card.”
Third, you must take action
Would you believe that some people set some fantastic goals and then do absolutely nothing to achieve them? Think about that. Taking action is super important, but taking consistent action is absolutely critical to your success. For example, you can't create a beautiful garden just by planting a few flowers. You have to take consistent action to take out the weeds, mow the lawn, clean the patio, and take care of the fences.
The great news is that some people find that the more action they take towards a specific desired result, the more they are inspired to continue. So get cracking! Nothing breeds success like success.
Fourth, you must review your progress
Are the actions you took effective? Are you getting closer to the goal? It's just like resetting the compass to true north as you move forward.
The other critical aspect of a review is to notice obstacles that might be holding you back. Obstacles can be physical or emotional. Things like limiting beliefs, fear, procrastination, or perhaps just taking the steps in the wrong order and not getting the intended result. Don’t give up. Just take a break and review.
Whilst most people hit an obstacle and fall back, successful people realise that obstacles are merely a symptom of progress. What do I mean by that? To put it simply, if you don’t want to experience obstacles in your life, stay put. Don’t move. Don’t take action to achieve life changing goals.
Experience exponential personal and professional development
If you want to experience a life far more inspiring, recognise that overcoming obstacles is where your personal growth becomes exponential. Life Coaching sessions are often about overcoming obstacles. These are moments of creation where the client discovers new internal resources and insights. Insights lead to inspiration.
These four steps are simple, yet critical to your achieving your most inspiring goals.
To your success!
Tony is a certified life coach and master practitioner of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming). A coach can be invaluable. Your coach will be committed to support you and push you further and faster than you would go on your own.
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