How to Reach Any Goal
If you’ve ever set a meaningful goal then failed to reach it, you’re in the majority (and welcome to the human condition!). Goals require change —change in behavior, thoughts, attitude or actions (or all of the above). And change is hard.
Change your behavior
But as humans we crave change: novelty lights up different regions of the brain, change is challenging and shifts in perspective inspire new insights. So it’s natural that change is something to move toward —in business and in life. Setting goals is a function of change and is a worthy pursuit in business, especially as a conscious entrepreneur with big dreams, powerful work to share, and many passions.
But setting goals and actually reaching your goals are very different things.
If you want to make big things happen, you have to commit to taking mindful action that both aligns with your intention and supports your long term vision.
If you want to make BIG things happen, you have to commit to taking mindful action
You can expand your goal-getting powers by using an intention to align your priorities and your daily actions. That (plus a little strategy) equals your business goals, conquered.
INTENTION + STRATEGY + ACTION = GOALS, CONQUERED.
Consider the following examples...
EXAMPLE 1
Jane sets a goal to grow her massage therapy practice by 100 clients this year. She first sets an intention to expand, then takes mindful action each week to identify new clients, reach them with her message, and invite them into her practice.
EXAMPLE 2
Cathy sets a business goal of packaging her expertise into a training, product or program this year. Cathy sets the intention of reaching more people with her message, then carves out 2-5 hours a week to develop her program, host a beta offering and learns how to market your signature offer.
In each of the above examples, the goals are specific, realistic and time-sensitive. Each goal-getting plan includes a set of actions (goal-supportive actions and behaviors) that bring Jane and Cathy closer to their goal. Both Jane and Cathy set an intention and use that intention to fuel their commitment to achieving their goals. Finally, both Jane and Cathy are laser-focused.
First, Commit to focus
You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again:
You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.
What is the “anything” you will do —this year, this month or this week? That’s where focus is required. And as a result of this level of focus, you are better able to identify the supports required and to take the specific actions that will move you toward meaningful goals.
Next, identify the supports required
What supports are necessary for you to reach your goal? For Jane and Cathy, those supports were a set of actions and behaviors needed to get different results in their business. Jane had to reach more people with her message —which required upleveling her marketing and being specific in her networking.
Cathy needed to learn about course development, the ins and outs of marketing her signature course, and the technology behind delivering her material. In your own goal-setting practice, the supports required become clear when you are able to articulate (and focus in on) the specific goal.
Next, develop your meaningful goals
Develop your meaningful goals by ensuring they are ….
specific (grow practice // package expertise)
measurable (by 100 clients // into a training, product or program) and
time-sensitive (within a year)
As in the examples above
specific (EXAMPLE 1: grow practice // EXAMPLE 2: package expertise)
measurable (EXAMPLE 1: by 100 clients // EXAMPLE 2: develop a training, product or program) and
time-sensitive (EXAMPLE 1 + 2: within a year)
Finally, take action!
Remain intentional in your daily actions and avoid any behaviors, habits or attitudes that distract your from your focus. Keep taking tiny steps forward every day and if you get stuck —reach out for support.
If you are stuck turning your intention into meaningful goals, take some time for self-reflection. Rather than being distracted by the "you've got mail" sound and the impossible-not-to-click headlines floating through your social feed, visualize laser-focus on your most fulfilling projects, dreams or life goals.
Get out your journal and answer these questions…
What do I want to more of —in life or in business?
What do I want to create?
How do I want to show up in the world?
What is my grandest vision for my business / life / sacred work?
Bottom line: if you want to turn your goals into reality, stay mindful and apply focus to align your intentions and your actions.
If you struggle to develop, set or reach your goals, accountability could be the missing link. Loads of loving accountability (and hand holding) available right here.
