A Guide to Goals
The definition of goal is "the achievement towards which an endeavor is directed; an objective." It's an easy concept to grasp. Though, why is it that goals seem so difficult to achieve at times? We want to explore that in depth.
Why are simple concepts such as goals, goal setting, and goal achievement so elusive for so many?
In order to answer this, let's look at the context in which the goal is set. Then we'll compare that with how successful achievers determine the context for their goals. It's possible to have goals that are set by someone else. It could be an employer, a family member, or other outside sources. Additionally, an individual sets goals they know they must accomplish in order to fulfill a commitment.
What is missing in this picture? Passion is missing; a burning desire to accomplish the goal. We never accomplish goals that we are not passionate about. Instead, life usually finds a way to interfere. Still, you are probably thinking that you cannot escape some of these goals that have been placed on you by your responsibilities and you are not likely to become passionate about filling out your boss' expense report any time soon. We're going to teach you a simple trick that we use to get passionate about any goal. But first ...
Successful people in all fields share a trait without exception. It's passion for what they are doing. Here's an example:
Would you agree that Donald Trump has a passion for real estate? He has a burning desire to create a real estate empire. His goal was to rebuild the skyline of New York City. Now, consider the paperwork required to make all those deals? Do you believe he has a passion for paperwork? Probably not. It's more likely that someone else does the paperwork for him, but that's not been so for his entire career. So, what did he do then, to get through the reams of paperwork?
Donald found a way to create a passion for paperwork. He simply set the context of his immediate goal and attached it to his burning desire. He couldn't own real estate unless he filled out the paperwork. Boring, but necessary. He connected his passion to the paperwork, but seeing how it aligned with his ultimate goal of changing the city skyline for a profit.
Herein, lies the secret to goal achievement! Your burning desire, your passion, is your vision for your life (or an aspect of your life) and your goals are tasks and objectives that move you closer to that vision. You must find a way to associate and frame every necessary goal to your passion. Doing so will create a burning desire to accomplish the goal, because it is part of your passion.
As we promised, now we'll reveal a trick we use to generate passion for our goals... even when those goals aren't generated by us. These steps can be used for all kinds of goals, whether they're generated from family, work, parents, friends or yourself. The key factor is that it's something that must get done, but isn't necessarily something you're passionate about.
1. Define the goal.
Let's start with the assumption that at work, you've been asked to review and study the entire year's marketing data and create a report. What's your goal? It's the assignment from your voice. It's something you have to do that you're not passionate about. So, now what?
2. Re-frame the goal to your passion.
To do this, you must first identify your passion. An example would be you are passionate about being retired by 50 which will allow you to spend time travelling with your family - it's a lifelong dream of yours.
This is a powerful tool when used the right way. Since you have integrity, you're committed to doing this task well. In addition, you see ways in which the plan could be improved and you include this in your report. It wasn't what you were assigned to do, but you stepped up.
Why would you do more than you were asked? Reframing the goal with your passion is why. Consider the notion that this rather insignificant task was assigned to you in order for you to have an opportunity to achieve your ultimate goal. How? Your passion is to retire early. Is it a possibility that by excelling at your job (your tasks), that you could be promoted, given raises, bonuses, etc. that would allow you to save enough to retire early? Absolutely! It's more a possibility than if you'd complained about doing it, turned in a report filled with spelling errors and miscalculated projections and even turned it in late! By re-aligning this dull task with your passion, you've gotten closer to your goal. You've opened a space for possibility.
3. Visualize the outcome of your passion through the accomplishment of the goal.
Imagine achieving your goal as a result of accomplishing this task. Start to see that this short-term goal, albeit not yours, is simply a step in the process of reaching your dream. You are moving forward. How does it feel? What emotions are there? The feeling of a job well done, the respect of your boss, the extra time you have because you turned it in early, and the satisfaction of knowing you can tell your kids that you're doing everything in your power to insure your dreams come true. See it. See the looks on their faces. Notice how your body feels, how your breathing might change. What do you see? What do you hear? Take it all in, and visualize it. Now, embrace it. Allow your body to assume that stance, Feel those emotions. Breathe with the same level of excitement
4. Now it's time to "Anchor" those feelings
When you've completed the visualization process you might feel a shift about your goal. Are you feeling good? That's great, but it's not enough. That feeling can be temporary. What we want to do now, is "anchor" those feelings so that you can recall them anytime. Anchoring is a technique wherein once a peak emotional state is reached, we engage in an action to attach that feeling with the action. You can tap your arm, shoulder, knee, or squeeze your fists. The point is that it's a physical action.
Repeat the process often for a couple of days (4-5 times/day). Visualize and anchor. Then do it again every time you start to work on your goal and then once again after it's completed for the day. In time, you will find it easier and easier to attain a "peak state," acquire the passion, and be fruitful. With experience, you'll notice that this physical gesture creates the same emotional state.
Now you know one of the biggest missing ingredients in most goals. Find the passion, reframe the goal to align with the passion, and anchor the frame repeatedly. But reading isn't enough either. You now have to apply this technique. Get going, do it, complete your goals, and live your dream!
Why are simple concepts such as goals, goal setting, and goal achievement so elusive for so many?
In order to answer this, let's look at the context in which the goal is set. Then we'll compare that with how successful achievers determine the context for their goals. It's possible to have goals that are set by someone else. It could be an employer, a family member, or other outside sources. Additionally, an individual sets goals they know they must accomplish in order to fulfill a commitment.
What is missing in this picture? Passion is missing; a burning desire to accomplish the goal. We never accomplish goals that we are not passionate about. Instead, life usually finds a way to interfere. Still, you are probably thinking that you cannot escape some of these goals that have been placed on you by your responsibilities and you are not likely to become passionate about filling out your boss' expense report any time soon. We're going to teach you a simple trick that we use to get passionate about any goal. But first ...
Successful people in all fields share a trait without exception. It's passion for what they are doing. Here's an example:
Would you agree that Donald Trump has a passion for real estate? He has a burning desire to create a real estate empire. His goal was to rebuild the skyline of New York City. Now, consider the paperwork required to make all those deals? Do you believe he has a passion for paperwork? Probably not. It's more likely that someone else does the paperwork for him, but that's not been so for his entire career. So, what did he do then, to get through the reams of paperwork?
Donald found a way to create a passion for paperwork. He simply set the context of his immediate goal and attached it to his burning desire. He couldn't own real estate unless he filled out the paperwork. Boring, but necessary. He connected his passion to the paperwork, but seeing how it aligned with his ultimate goal of changing the city skyline for a profit.
Herein, lies the secret to goal achievement! Your burning desire, your passion, is your vision for your life (or an aspect of your life) and your goals are tasks and objectives that move you closer to that vision. You must find a way to associate and frame every necessary goal to your passion. Doing so will create a burning desire to accomplish the goal, because it is part of your passion.
As we promised, now we'll reveal a trick we use to generate passion for our goals... even when those goals aren't generated by us. These steps can be used for all kinds of goals, whether they're generated from family, work, parents, friends or yourself. The key factor is that it's something that must get done, but isn't necessarily something you're passionate about.
1. Define the goal.
Let's start with the assumption that at work, you've been asked to review and study the entire year's marketing data and create a report. What's your goal? It's the assignment from your voice. It's something you have to do that you're not passionate about. So, now what?
2. Re-frame the goal to your passion.
To do this, you must first identify your passion. An example would be you are passionate about being retired by 50 which will allow you to spend time travelling with your family - it's a lifelong dream of yours.
This is a powerful tool when used the right way. Since you have integrity, you're committed to doing this task well. In addition, you see ways in which the plan could be improved and you include this in your report. It wasn't what you were assigned to do, but you stepped up.
Why would you do more than you were asked? Reframing the goal with your passion is why. Consider the notion that this rather insignificant task was assigned to you in order for you to have an opportunity to achieve your ultimate goal. How? Your passion is to retire early. Is it a possibility that by excelling at your job (your tasks), that you could be promoted, given raises, bonuses, etc. that would allow you to save enough to retire early? Absolutely! It's more a possibility than if you'd complained about doing it, turned in a report filled with spelling errors and miscalculated projections and even turned it in late! By re-aligning this dull task with your passion, you've gotten closer to your goal. You've opened a space for possibility.
3. Visualize the outcome of your passion through the accomplishment of the goal.
Imagine achieving your goal as a result of accomplishing this task. Start to see that this short-term goal, albeit not yours, is simply a step in the process of reaching your dream. You are moving forward. How does it feel? What emotions are there? The feeling of a job well done, the respect of your boss, the extra time you have because you turned it in early, and the satisfaction of knowing you can tell your kids that you're doing everything in your power to insure your dreams come true. See it. See the looks on their faces. Notice how your body feels, how your breathing might change. What do you see? What do you hear? Take it all in, and visualize it. Now, embrace it. Allow your body to assume that stance, Feel those emotions. Breathe with the same level of excitement
4. Now it's time to "Anchor" those feelings
When you've completed the visualization process you might feel a shift about your goal. Are you feeling good? That's great, but it's not enough. That feeling can be temporary. What we want to do now, is "anchor" those feelings so that you can recall them anytime. Anchoring is a technique wherein once a peak emotional state is reached, we engage in an action to attach that feeling with the action. You can tap your arm, shoulder, knee, or squeeze your fists. The point is that it's a physical action.
Repeat the process often for a couple of days (4-5 times/day). Visualize and anchor. Then do it again every time you start to work on your goal and then once again after it's completed for the day. In time, you will find it easier and easier to attain a "peak state," acquire the passion, and be fruitful. With experience, you'll notice that this physical gesture creates the same emotional state.
Now you know one of the biggest missing ingredients in most goals. Find the passion, reframe the goal to align with the passion, and anchor the frame repeatedly. But reading isn't enough either. You now have to apply this technique. Get going, do it, complete your goals, and live your dream!
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