Welcome to reThink Your Perspective’s blog. Helping you to unlock your potential, empower your mindset, create productive habits, and boost your motivation.
You can listen to this blog as a Podcast HERE.
Do You Know How To Set A Goal?
In last week’s post I discussed what a goal is. Today I want to discuss how to set a goal.
Goals are essential to living the fullest, happiest, most fulfilled life. They are so much more than achieving the thing you want to get! Goals should be set not only to get what you want, but to help you to grow. It is just as much about the journey TO a destination as it actually reaching the destination!
But first a warning…
How Goals Can Go Wrong
If you set goals that you know, or at least think you know, how to achieve, you won’t ever have to change your habits or stretch yourself too much to reach them. You just have to work a little harder or longer until you reach your goal.
However, achieving small or reasonable goals is not all that satisfying after a while because you are not stretching yourself. If you achieve them at all because these types of goals are usually set with the need for other people to do certain things. Or for things outside ourselves to happen. Like expecting your company to give you a promotion. Or someone else to buy that house you want for you.
We all need to remember that we have no idea what we’re capable of. Nobody can tell anyone else what they are capable of! So, why limit yourself to staying close to where you are and getting similar results? Or waiting for someone else to do something for you?
You can set a goal that helps you grow into everything you are meant to be! And that only requires you to fulfil it.
Run Faster, Jump Higher
It’s natural to want more and be bigger. We are spiritual beings, and spirit is always seeking further expression and expansion. You might think you don’t want anything, but deep down you do. You might be one of those people who say “nothing” when asked what they want for Christmas or birthdays. Its not that you don’t want anything, it’s that you are embarrassed to ask for what you want. Or you don’t think that person can get it for you. Your wants are too big to be provided by others, or you really don’t know what you want yet. So you answer “nothing”.
Whether you want to do a lot better, have more, run faster, or jump higher… You can!
However, if you want to make an exciting change in your life, you’re going to have to bring more of yourself to the surface. And that will require you to change some of your habits and patterns.
Only YOU can get you to your goals!
How To Set A Goal – Lets Get Started
Changing habits is the biggest part of achieving your goal. However, it is not an easy thing to do. So, you’re going to need a good reason to motivate you to move from where you are.
A goal that is so compelling that it will pull you forward.
Otherwise, you’ll stay where you are. Where you’re safe and comfortable and where your paradigm wants you to stay.
As I covered previously, your goal should be so big that you don’t know how you’re going to get there. If you know how to get there, it’s not a “good” goal.
“Not knowing how to reach your goal means you’ll have to be and do something you’ve never been or done before. You will have to use the spiritual power flowing to and through you to create something new.”
Bob Proctor
And here’s the beauty of tapping into that power…
If you can hold the image of what you want in your head, you can hold what you’re dreaming of in your hand.
How To Set A Goal – Step One
Make A List
Get somewhere comfortable, quiet, and put yourself into a calm state. Now start to daydream! Let your imagination wander.
What is it you would like very much to be, do, or have?
Write it down, especially if you feel it is beyond your reach now. Do not concern yourself at all with how you can or can’t get the things that come up. Just think of what you want and write each one down.
How To Set A Goal – Step Two
Choose The One You Want The Most
Read through your list and prioritise each one on a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 is something you want more than life itself.
Then, pick the one you want more than anything else. The one thing that stands above all the others. Something extraordinary and meaningful to you. That will change your whole life. It will also probably cover a few of the other things on your list as well.
Keep in mind that the real reward of setting and achieving goals is the person you become in the process. Your future self, who you are, what you have learned, and the new skills you have developed.
How To Set A Goal – Step Three
Write Down Your Why
Write out why you want to achieve the goal you chose. What will achieving that goal do for you and your life?
For instance, if your goal is to start your own business, your reason might be to get time and financial freedom so you can spend your life doing only what you want to do at all times.
The Seven Levels Deep approach can really help you discover the real reason you want this thing. “Because I do!” Isn’t a good enough reason! Seven levels deep encourages you to ask yourself why you want it. Then why you answered that way. And why that… etc seven times. It may start to feel quite hard after about level 3 or 4, but if you can get to level 7 without repeating yourself then it is something you REALLY want. If you can’t get past level 4 or 5, then maybe consider choosing something else for now.
This exercise can be really powerful for you to do by yourself. But it can be quite hard and can sometimes bring up some big emotions. It can sometimes help to have a neutral person to ask you the questions and keep you on track. I am happy to help with this, get in touch if you get stuck doing this yourself or want some help.
How To Set A Goal – Step Four
Create A Goal Card
Most people don’t reach their goals because they keep it “out there” in the future. They think, “I’ll be happy when…” and continue to focus on where they are now rather than where they are going.
You have decided on your goal, your destination, and now you need to use your imagination to see yourself as already having achieved it. Write your goal in one succinct sentence on a goal card in the present tense. As if it has already been achieved. Start it with the following phrase:
“I’m so happy and grateful now that…”
Contact me to get a print-ready goal card.
How To Set A Goal – Step Five
Read Your Goal Card
When you commit to a big dream and really go after it, your subconscious mind comes up with ideas to make it happen. To keep your subconscious mind focused on what you want, carry your goal card with you at all times and read it several times every day.
Every night, ask yourself, “What is one thing I could do tomorrow to move toward the achievement of this goal?” Then, write down your answer and make it a priority the next day. Take a look at my Planituding approach to help build this as a new habit to ensure your success.
Think Big, Step Up, and Get Going
No one can promise you that success will be instantly yours if you start setting the right goals. However, if you keep the image of what you want in your mind and take the steps each day towards it, it will be just a matter of time before it manifests.
But! I can guarantee that you will find life far more interesting, fulfilling, and enjoyable when you’re pursuing the right goal and have the right mindset. You’ll no longer dread getting out of bed in the morning or wonder if you’ll have a good day. Your goal will get you up early in the morning, you’ll be excited to work toward it, and your enthusiasm will keep you going all day.
What Do You Think?
Take the steps above to come up with the right goal for you. I would love to hear your new goal and hope that you will share it with me in the comments below.
If this resonates with you and you want to discuss it further, then get in touch today. Either here or through any of my social medias or schedule a call to discuss it with me directly.
I look forward to speaking with you soon and hope this post helps you to start living to your fullest potential.
Jaiye
PS. Want to see this information in video form? Check out the video below which can also be found on my YouTube Channel!
