Goals. Go for it Now!
In my blog entitled “Make It Happen Today. Do It This Week. No Excuses”, I explored the importance of having clear ideas about what you want in the different departments of life.Even if you obsess about goals, then your goal may be to just let go and let the river of life guide you to your greater good. If you have purpose in your life, then it makes sense to get very clear about what you want to attract into your life. Goals are the GPS of the mind. With no direction, you will get carried in any old direction. We all need to look at those parts of our lives which matter the most to us: emotions, relationships, personal growth, career, work, finances, health etc. Identify your limitations, compulsions, lacks, blocks/inhibitions, phobias and mistaken beliefs. Read my blog called Beat Sabotage and Resistance. Then work out a strategy for growth. If you need help, I am just a phone call away.
For each of us, the time to get on with it is now. Develop a series of goals that satisfy your deeper needs.Do you know yourself well enough to move forward? The rest of this article is aimed at helping you clarify your own thoughts so that you can make immediate progress towards your goals in the various departments. Those who actually make the effort to immediately write down the answers to the questions will have the most positive results. Your goal right now is to decide- perhaps for the first time, what you want to become in your life and then to set realistic goals, honoring your natural abilities, needs and desires. To decide which goals are right for you takes conscious effort and an empowered way of thinking. It will leave you feeling excited and happy. The adventure of a targeted life feels energizing and wonderful. Some may struggle to write down their goals. If you avoid setting goals as a habit, there is some reason why you are procrastinating. It could be fear of failure, lack of self confidence, fear of commitment or some such block. Coaching is all about getting past and climbing over obstacles. When thinking about your goals, some will be short term ones while others will be long term. Some will be easy and others will appear to require a miracle. It does not matter. What inspires you really matters. Dream as big as you can dream. Often the big goals are the most motivating.
Basic Goals:
The Willingness to Be Happy: “I am my own best friend.”
Goal 1: How might I treat myself better?………………….. After each question write as much down on paper as possible. This applies to any…………….. that you may see in the rest of this article. Orientation: Are there any new skills or training I need for this…………………….. Orientation: Which, if any, of my limits, or faults, or weaknesses am I willing to work on?………………… What is one thing I might do now to make myself happier or more content?………………………………………. Action Plan: One small thing I will do, as soon as I can, is:…………………………………….. IMPORTANT: Consider what you just did. It was to open yourself up-observe some of your limitations, acknowledge that you are willing to overcome them and focus on areas where you want to make changes right now. Finally you agreed with yourself to take action-as soon as possible.
Work Effectiveness: “I enjoy working when I can perform at my own highest capacity”.
Orientation: What are some factors that lower my productivity or the quality of my work?……………………………………………………………………………………………….. Orientation: What are some factors that currently affect my morale at work? (positively and negatively)……………………………………………………………………………………… Goal 2: What is at least one thing I could do which would improve the overall value of my work? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Action Plan: One action I will take, as soon as possible, to improve my work is:………………………………………………………………………………………
Work Satisfaction : ” I am proud of what I do and I’m pleased that it is recognized by others.”
Orientation: Who knows what it is I really do? 1……………………………………………………..
2……………………………………………………..
3……………………………………………………..
4……………………………………………………. Orientation:How is my work currently evaluated?…………………………………………… What might be better ways or different ways to let me know what I’m doing well……………………………………………………………… Goal 3: What is one thing I might do to get more appreciation for the work I’m doing?…………………………….. Action Plan:One thing I will do to get more appreciation for myself is:………………………………………….. IMPORTANT: I’ve never heard an employee ever say that they were over-praised for their work. The above questions are to help you get more of what you need to do the work well while you enjoy it.
The Capacity to Love: “I am able, if I choose, to have good feelings about almost everyone.”
Orientation: My most important personal relationships are with:……………………………… Goal4: What is one thing i could do to improve at least one of these relationships?……….. Action Plan: The action I will take, as soon as possible is…………………………………………. IMPORTANT: This may be to do no more than send a card, make a phone call, or say a passing word or two. It is easy to underestimate how much even a small gesture can mean to someone else.
Not all relationships are nourishing. Sometimes we need to help ourselves end relationships, to help everyone involved. Is there a relationship you’d rather be done with?……………………………………………………. Is there something you might do to make it end sooner or easier?…………………………………… Action Plan:One step I’m willing to take as soon as possible is: ………………………………………………….
Good Health: ” I love my body, and I am aware what I need to do to stay healthy.”
Orientation:What are your best health habits? What are you doing that improves your health?…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Orientation: What are you doing that is not good for your health?…………………………….. Goal 5:What is one thing you could do to improve your health and extend your life?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Action Plan:One thing I will do, as soon as possible, to improve my health is:………………………
Inner Integrity: ” I have the freedom to decide my own actions. I am responsible for my own life.”
Orientation: Where in your daily life, at work or at home, do you feel restricted, constrained, hedged in, doing what others have laid out for you to do?………………………….. Goal 6: What is one thing you might do to gain more control over your inner or your outer life, to do more of what you want to do?……………………………………………………………. Action Plan: One action I will take, as soon as possible, to gain more control of my life is:…………………………….