Goals are a timely topic as this year comes to a close. Many desire a fresh new start, which any person can initiate at any time. Yet, cultural norms suggest that change is best made at the start of a new year. Although I am in favor of making changes as soon as a person desires something different than what they currently have, I can appreciate that a new year encourages thinking about changes that one desires.
Since my youth, I have used two goal-driven strategies that have guided me to success. The first is the creation of a written “Top 10 list” that should be read daily (or at least frequently), and the second involves taking action toward goals daily. Action, in this case, can include thoughts and mental planning, as this helps to direct action strategically.
Why 10 (or approximately 10) goals? Any more would be overwhelming and any less would be underwhelming. The appropriate number of goals can create motivation, so finding the right number for you is important for your success.
Why is it necessary to write your goals down and read them often? These steps clarify what you want and encourage you to make a commitment to go for your goals with gusto. David Allen, author of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity (Penguin, 2002) points out that if you have goals you desire to attend to someday saved in your mind, rather than a trusted written location, your mind is not clear. Your brain is cluttered with all these mental notes that your brain cannot release until the items are either completed or in a location outside of your brain—like in a schedule book or goals list. If you write it down, your brain can fully focus on the task at hand in an effective rather than distracted manner.
Most people die with their music still in them because they have foggy plans stored only in the back of their minds that they intend on working toward someday. Have you ever noticed how the right time never seems to magically appear to take action toward your goals? That is because you must carve out a space to bring your goals to fruition. Many of our lives are stuffed and cluttered; we cannot add anything new until we make space—by reorganizing what we have or by clearing a space for the new. To live the life that you desire, you must prioritize, organize, and make time in your schedule book for your goals.
Once you have clearly defined written goals, strive to make progress toward them daily. While much creation is completed through thought, very few things can be brought to fruition without physical action. This is where some people lose their way. Simply put—people get tired. Baumeister and Tierney (Penguin, 2011), authors of Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength, explain that so many mental choices can wear down a person’s energy reserves. The vast array of thoughts that wear away at energy and willpower include worrying about unfinished tasks, innumerable decisions that must be made (what to eat, problems to solve, how to advance at work, etc.), stresses of daily life, among other things that compete for attention.
To make progress, it is critical to approach your goals in a constructive rather than depleting manner. To introduce something new in your life, you may need to cut back on something else. Or, you may find that simply reorganizing your schedule may allow you to maintain energy and make greater gains toward your goals. Through experimentation, you can find what will work best for you. Know that it takes weeks or months to really establish a strong new habit in your life (exercise, eating healthy, writing daily, meditation, learning a new skill, etc.), so be patient with yourself and introduce only one or two big changes at a time. Too much too soon will wear away at your willpower.
I have found many little tricks that work for me, including 1) start new goals relating to health at a time not close to traveling or holidays (temptation will wear away at my willpower severely); 2) meditate to de-stress and build clarity and willpower reserves; and 3) increase exposure to positivity and decrease exposure to negativity to maintain a high level of energy and motivation. Through trial and error, you can find what will keep you focused and going strong.
Remember that goals should be something enjoyable. They should improve the quality of your life. You always have a choice, so choose what makes you happy and have fun along the way.
References
Allen, D. (2002). Getting things done: The art of stress-free productivity. New York: Penguin Group.
Baumeister, R. F., Tierney, J. (2011). Willpower: Rediscovering the greatest human strength. New York: Penguin Group.