March 1 already?
How is it that time since “The Blip” (2020) seems to be increasing at breakneck speeds?
Quick question for you: How are those New Year’s goals treating you? By now, you might be seeing results of some of those labors, if you have stuck to it. The flip side of that possibility is that you can’t remember what the goals were. Where did you write those down again?
Good news for you. Whether it’s the new year, March 1, or any given day throughout the year, these four questions will help you get clear on your goals, and increase the chances you actually accomplish them. Don’t trust me? Answer them honestly, and let’s see what happens.
Question Number One: What do you want?
That is such a fascinating question to me. When I ask people that question I typically get responses of things that they want to avoid. I hear things like, “I want to not have to worry about…” Let’s look at what happens when your desires are full of things you are trying to avoid. Let’s pretend that you get in the car and you want to run to the store. Think about driving to the store. I would bet that you don’t get in your car and say to yourself, “I want to avoid trees. I want to avoid sidewalks. I want to avoid other cars.” When you drive places, you have a clear destination in mind. Clear enough that you know exactly when you get to that location. Why not do that when asking yourself the question above? Get so clear with what you want that you know exactly when you get it. A lot of people don’t take the time to clarify what it is that they want. Get clear. Picture it as clearly as the store you drive to regularly.
Question Number Two: How will getting what you want improve your life?
Maybe you tell yourself you want to lose 20 pounds. That’s great! How will losing 20 pounds improve your life? A common response to the first question above is, “I want a million dollars!”Okay? How will that improve your life? Most people can’t explain, in detail, the ways having what they want will improve their circumstances. This is so important to attach to what you want. Knowing the answer to this second question creates the fuel tank for your goals. The second you want to give up or the moment you don’t want what you said you wanted anymore, the answer to this question can kick in for you. You will find that this answer can interrupt your desire to quit and say, “Wait a second, I’m doing this because it’s going to make me better for my family. I’m doing this because I’m going to be able to run with my kids. I’m doing this because it’s going to make me more comfortable to sleep at night with money in the bank” Answering this question gives you fuel when you run out of the front end motivation.
Question Number Three: When you get it, when you actually achieve what you want, what will it feel like?
What would it feel like? You can actually create those feelings right now. Your brain has the ability to actually release the same chemicals now like it will when you stand having accomplished the vision. Take a second and see yourself accomplishing the vision of what you want. How does it feel? Get really clear. Share those feelings with others. It can become an emotional high for you. Whether you are feeling relieved, excited, amped, accomplished, or whatever, the list of emotions is endless. When the “going and getting” of your vision gets tough, or you feel like you’re not going to make it, you go into the image of accomplishing that vision, and your brain will release the chemicals of what it will feel like to have it done. It can help push you through to success. You can actually create the feelings associated with the success of the vision, if you can get clear enough seeing yourself accomplishing it.
On to the question most people want to avoid at all costs. Nothing is free. Everything comes with a price.
Question Number Four: What will you give to have what you want?
Now notice, I didn’t ask what will you give up. Sometimes, there might be a give up list. But when you’re looking towards the vision of what you truly want, many times, it’s actually what you’re willing to give that makes the achievement successful. Perhaps it requires some extra time and attention to the people with whom you want to increase your relationship. Maybe, you are going to give some extra focus on the types of foods that you want to eat. See, if you set the time to consider what you’re going to give, then you’re putting a price tag on what it is that you actually want. Because you created the list of what you will give, it’s a price tag that you’re willing to pay. In those moments of watching the goals fade into the sunset, you can remind yourself that you decided up front what you were willing to pay for the achievement of your vision. You opted in. Stick to it and pay the price.
Take the time to answer these four questions, and you will find that your path to success becomes clearer. The steps you need to take will unfold before you. You will advance confidently knowing that success will come. I have found that this process opens the door to move as Henry David Thoreau penned so simply in Walden: “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
Here’s to your best self!
With greater clarity on your destination, a fuel tank full full of why, an emotional attachment to success and fulfillment, and a vivid understanding of the price you will pay, you will find success!
If you find, along your path, that you would like to accomplish these visions in your life with greater expediency and clarity, let’s talk further about the power of the coaching relationship when it comes to personal performance and success. Get on my calendar today, and let’s discuss a vision of your future beyond your current conditions and circumstances.
Start today! After all, One Step Up makes all the difference.