Isn’t it amazing that as soon as we make our mind up to pursue a goal it’s as if a special anthem begins to play? Game face on, check! Perhaps you hear Rocky Balboa’s theme song or We are the Champions, my friend! Or is this just me? We’ve got heart. Determination. Integrity. We’re taking that goal! And, POOF! An obstacle or two arises. No. big. deal. We’ve got this! A hurdle is jumped and we’re still on track. Defeat is not an option. It’s decided. There will be no burn out in hitting goals!
Alas, another ugly obstacle rears up as a challenge! We will not be deterred! We boldy speak forth, “ain’t nobody got time for that!” while courageously pursuing the goal. By now, you know where this is going because life doles out plenty of surprises while in the pursuit of happiness.
And so the journey continues. We choose to move along focused on our goal yet obstacles continue to pop up everywhere! It’s almost like a conspiracy!
We’ve all been there! Perhaps you can identify with one of the following examples. Set a health goal to slim down? It’s ridiculous how many cookies and cakes begin passing before our very eyes! Set a financial goal to save up for a special purchase or chase away some debt? We get a call from a friend desperate in need or the car needs serious repairs. But wait, there’s more! Entrepreneurs, you set a lofty, yet attainable business goal when the next day you receive a call from your bank explaining that there’s been some fraud committed through your account. Setbacks happen. Am I right?
Focus on why you set the goal in the first place.
List the reasons you decided to set this specific goal. Is this a goal you’re doing for someone else or was is it your desire? If it’s an easy goal to quit, perhaps it’s not one that you are ready to take on alone. Do you need help from an individual who can coach you in getting there? List any obstacles that may occur might occur along the way? How can you overcome them? Write down, how things will be should you not hit this specific goal. What will it cost you in every area of your life? Will it be more unresolved stress? Poor health? Time away from those you care about? Take time to pinpoint what you want to create by achieving this goal and what you want to avoid.
Begin with the end in mind.
Place in writing how you will feel upon completing this goal and what you will do to celebrate it. For example, if it’s a financial goal, it may look like this. “Today I paid off the mortgage and it feels so liberating! I’m proud of myself for being disciplined and staying true to what matters most. I’m choosing to celebrate by taking the family to Lake Tahoe. We’ll celebrate in style with a hot air balloon ride.” When we set a goal, let’s be prepared to hit it as well as celebrate it.
Track the results
Have a visible tracker to mark results. It can be done using a computer program or something simple that is drawn up. Below is an example.
The purpose is to have a reference guide that empowers us to see daily, weekly or monthly progress (or the lack thereof so we can recalibrate our strategy). This helps us as goal setters get back on track if we’ve wanderer off or to stay in the race for goal completion. Whether it’s something like a health, business or financial goal a visual indicator with a baseline and projected goals serves mightily in cultivating the habits and practices necessary to reach goals and avoid burnout.
Your turn, please
Tell us in the comment area below, have you used any of these tactics before to hit a goal? What goal did you hit or how did you celebrate its completion? Any tips can you share with us about avoiding burnout while completing a goal? We’ve got plans to do great things! 🙂
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