Goal-Setting Mini Manifesto
Happy New Year from Mixonian Institute!! Rest assured that 2012 will be remarkable. Here's a brief outline of what I know to be true about goal setting.(True confession: I wrote my first goal list at age 16 and it has framed the life I have lived thus far.) This post is written from the perspective of one who hangs on the belt loops of the giants of human potential research and the mega-successful all over the world.
In a nutshell.
Mixonian Mini Goal-Setting Manifesto
1. It all starts with desire. That's why obstacles and problems propel you forward. If you already had everything you wanted, you would have no desire for anything, need no goals, and feel no sense of achievement.
"Many people think they want things, but they don't really have the strength, the discipline. They are weak. I believe that you get what you want if you want it badly enough." Sophia Loren
More desire = more achievement.
Instant praise for little effort = desire entitlement.
If you're frustrated because you've been hitting a wall with a particular goal, do you really want it or do you think you should want it?
2. Faith fuels commitment.
By "faith" I mean you have to believe it's somehow, some way, possible. Your commitment comes from knowing deep inside that somehow, some way, achieving what you want is possible. Even if you fail before you succeed.
Want to know what you really think of your abilities? If you want to know how strong your faith really is, ask yourself this:
What outcome would surprise me the least?
The truth is no one knows our real potential. It really is possible for you to be great. It's a process that takes place one day at a time.The secret sauce to high performance is expanding what you truly think you're capable of accomplishing.
3. Goals exist on a spectrum.
Your goals run the gamit from an easy "to do" list to "make the world a better place." Diversity of goals makes achievement a richer experience.
A person can only focus on one transformational goal at a time. Not many people go on a diet and quit smoking at the same time.
4. Goals are wishes and dreams in written form.
Any kind of "goal agenda" is better than none at all in that writing down your goals tells your mind what to focus on and what to filter out in order to move you in a particular direction.
Writing gives you clarity.
5. The steps to achieving your goals that actually get accomplished are the ones incorporated into your weekly schedule.
Your willpower is flexible, but don't tempt yourself.
You really can change the world. But one step at a time.
