I have a challenge for you. A little life experiment. It will change you; it will change your life & your business. But only if you overcome the challenge; only if your experiment is successful. |
You don't need another Goal
Don't get me wrong - I love goals, goal-setting, helping my clients achieve their goals & their non-specific victories.
But today I want something else from you.
Take a look at your recent list of goals - find a common thread, something that binds them. That thing, that pattern that you see - that is what I want you to define.
Not as a goal, I want you to frame it as a commitment.
Not "I want to ..."
State as "I will do/attain/achieve A, by date B, as measurable with C."
Do it, do it now. I'll wait. If you don't do it, you cannot change your life. Stop sighing, and dreaming, and living in the world of "If only ...".
But today I want something else from you.
Take a look at your recent list of goals - find a common thread, something that binds them. That thing, that pattern that you see - that is what I want you to define.
Not as a goal, I want you to frame it as a commitment.
Not "I want to ..."
State as "I will do/attain/achieve A, by date B, as measurable with C."
Do it, do it now. I'll wait. If you don't do it, you cannot change your life. Stop sighing, and dreaming, and living in the world of "If only ...".
There are a number of complex & complicated reasons behind this; here are a few:
- When you tell someone your goals and plans, your physical brain rewards you, with some feel-good hormones & happy chemicals; your mind creates the accomplishment, the victory - with endorphins. Well done, you!
- When you tell other people about your goals, the sheer excitement and enthusiasm for your goal manifests in physical adrenal surges, your eyes sparkle, your become breathless - your unconscious mind actually believes you've accomplished something. You have, yes - you shared your goal. No need for action.
- The people listening to you express admiration at the amazing things you're going to accomplish. Once again, you are rewarded with approval for the telling; why bother with the doing?
- We love feeling good. And we love repeating behaviours that get us rewarded. So, next time the context is suitable, you trot out your Great Plan, your Fabulous Goal. And if the wind is from the South-East, and there is a "y" in the day - Monday - you'll get your reward. You can repeat as many times as you can get new audiences - addicting, isn't it?
Create a code-name for your commitment - tell us about it in the comments section.
But remember, the experiment is not about the goal; it's to find out whether you can SHUSH about it for long enough to actually accomplish something.
But remember, the experiment is not about the goal; it's to find out whether you can SHUSH about it for long enough to actually accomplish something.