Elusive goals

As you relax over the summer and think about moving into a fresh new year, you might find yourself considering your goals.

Maybe you achieved some big things last year. [So good!] Maybe there were some things you really wanted to achieve and didn’t, but still hope to.

If you’re returning to last year’s goals, I would suggest you Do Differently.

[That seems ridiculously obvious, right? But you would be surprised by the number of people who just keep pursuing the same goals, in the same way, despite achieving the same disappointing results. Over and over].

Unless the reasons you didn’t reach your targets were e-n-t-i-r-e-l-y outside your control [highly unlikely], I would bet that you struggled to achieve them because either the goal or your approach wasn’t quite right.

So change it up!

Here’s how to Do Differently in order to actually realise those long standing, elusive goals.

Tweak or replace

Take a long, completely-honest look at your goal. Is it something you truly, honestly want? Or is it actually a Should [ie something you feel you should achieve]?

If it’s completely yours then keep it as is. But if it’s overly influenced by external factors, you might consider tweaking it or replacing it with another goal.

[One tip? If you replace it, then make sure you completely disengage. Don’t keep the unworkable goal in the back of your minding hoping that the result will magically materialise. Let it go and move onto something far more engaging and achievable.]

Do Differently

If the goal is good but the strategy is lacking you’ll still struggle to achieve.

Take some time to consider past attempts and make a list of what helped and what didn’t. Then plan your new Brand New Approach. Some ideas?

• Find specific ways to boost the joy in your goal striving
• Speak to different people about your efforts
• Write down your plan, in a way that is different to last time
• Chunk your goal down into mini-goals and attach dates for achievement
• Ask for help from different sources
• Design a new feedback mechanism to help track your progress
• Build in a system of rewards and reinforcements, to help you along
• Read up on Motivation and make sure you satisfy each element

And the big one?

Consciously connect your goal striving to a strongly held, personal value.

Tags: life-coaching, Melbourne