In the last blog Set Clear Goals and Thoughtful Planning, I mentioned that in the absence of clear goals, life lacks the essential elements of passion, purpose, and drive. Everyone has heard of goals and the power of goals to shape your future. But most people don’t have a good understanding of how to achieve goals. Consequently, most never even set goals.
Understanding what it takes to achieve a goal will greatly enhance your odds of success. Consider these seven ideas. When I decided to do a half-marathon as you can see on the photos above, I used all of these elements.
1. Establish a well-defined goal. Most people don’t have goals or have ineffective goals, make sure your goal:
● Is Meaningful. Avoid setting goals that don’t excite you. What’s the point? It’s easier to
achieve a goal that you find motivating.
I did the marathon for the Cancer Support Community to prove to myself I had the discipline to do something for my health and to honor my loved ones who have died because of cancer.
● Has a clear outcome or result. How will you know when you’ve achieved your goal? Be specific and have a way of measuring your progress.
I knew I had to go for 13.1 miles and get to the finish line.
● Has a deadline. Goals never seem to be accomplished without a deadline attached. You can keep waiting for “tomorrow” to get started if you don’t have a deadline to meet. Then, that “tomorrow” never comes.
Actually, the deadline was set for me by the marathon organizers – Jan 19, 2012
2. Visualization. Goals are more likely to be achieved if you regularly visualize yourself being successful. Imagine what it will be like when you meet your goal. The inability to picture the achievement of your goal suggests that you don’t believe you can do it.
I did visualize myself getting to the finish line throughout my six-month training which motivated me to train.
3. Affirmations. Affirm that you’re the type of person that can achieve your goal. Think of the attributes you need to have to be successful. Write several affirmations that support those attributes and use them daily. Recite them to yourself at least three times each day, preferably aloud.
I kept a log of all my training and would tell myself that if I trained and took care of myself I would be able to achieve the goal. When there were moments I would want to quit, I would tell positive affirmations.
4.The right information. You might have a great goal and be super motivated, but you need the right knowledge and preparation in order to achieve the goal.
I did learn about what it would take to do a half-marathon. I only had the experience of doing the 3-day 60-mile walk back in 2006 and knew this would take extra knowledge and preparation.
5. Action. There’s a great appeal to the idea of making your wishes known to the universe, and then just relaxing until some magic delivers what you want. However, action is also necessary to bring about a real change. Figure out what you need to do and do it.
I followed the actions of a training plan, had a personal trainer, the support of my family, and an accountability partner whom you can see on the photo too.
6.The ability to deal with discomfort. Pursuing any significant goal will create discomfort. There’s no way around it. It’s necessary to learn how to minimize that discomfort as much as possible and be able to deal with whatever remains.
● Discomfort can come in many forms. It might be the fear of failure. It might be some actual failure. It might be the discomfort of learning something you’ve never done before.
● Perhaps giving up your favorite distractions so you have time to work on your goal creates discomfort.
● Whatever your reason for discomfort in pursuing your goal, it’s important to discover ways you can overcome it.
I was very scared of being able to do it since it was my very first experience of sorts and there were times I wanted to forget it and quit. The memory of my loved ones whom I was honoring kept me going and I constantly told myself that I was not on it to meet a particular time, I wanted to finish in one piece.
7. Perseverance. Goals can take time. Big goals take more time. Add in a little failure and a little discomfort, and suddenly quitting can be appealing. You can’t achieve a goal if you quit before it’s accomplished. Perseverance is one of the most important traits anyone can possess.
Doing this half-marathon was another instance in my life when I persevered to attain a goal because intuitively I used the seven key elements to successfully achieve a goal:
● Established a well-defined goal
● Visualized
● Used affirmations
● Had the right information and knowledge
● Took action
● Dealt with the discomfort
● Persevered
There are many things you can do to make achieving your goals more likely. Include these seven things and your results will be greatly enhanced and come more quickly.
