A goal without a plan is just a wish. But sometimes, you need more than that. Sometimes you need a little strategy to help you out. Here’s three steps to achieving your goals, using the principals taught from the legendary Tony Robbins. This process taps into the power of your mind and the forces that drive you. These principals are therefore timeless, so if you follow it properly (and really commit to it!) it will give you the foundations that will enable you to build everything you want in your life and more. We’re talking the big things, the little things and everything in between!
Here’s how it works in a nutshell. Your three simple steps to achieving your goals…
STEP 1 – Get Disturbed
Sounds like a bit of a funny way to start hey? But the doom-ier and gloom-ier you can get… THE BETTER! Often, when things are just ‘ok’ or ‘not that bad’, people will keep things how they are because it will cause more pain to go to the effort to change than it will to just stay the same. It all relates to the controlling factors of pain and pleasure and how every action we take is to try to gain one or avoid the other.
See, if you really want to stop a habit, create change in a particular aspect of your life, or achieve those dreams you’ve been putting off up until now- you need to stir up some serious negativity over staying how you currently are. You want to make it so that NOT taking action is more painful than doing the things that are out of your comfort zone but which will get you to where you want to be. Does that make sense?
If so, jot down all the things you’re missing out on by not going after that goal, think of the consequences of continuing the way you are and don’t get upset, but instead get frustrated… Feel that fire in your belly! This will be a huge fuel for your motivation and the list is something you can refer back to, to keep you going when times get tough.
Although it may not feel like it right now: this ‘pain’ is actually going to become your best friend. It’s there to help you, which is why recognising it and getting clear on the specific reasons behind it, is one of the key steps to achieving your goals.
STEP 2 – Get Excited
Onto the other end of the spectrum, we want to look at all the things you’ll gain once you achieve your goals: how your life will change for the better. See, it’s not actually about WHAT we want, but more so WHY we want it: what it will give us and why that’s so important to us. Don’t just look at the obvious reasons- dig deep. Think emotionally, financially, how it will enhance your relationship, the new doors and opportunities it will open: the lot! If you set a goal, you want it to be important to you so write down all these reasons here too.
‘When you have strong enough reasons WHY, you will always find the HOW to get you there!’
Another thing that helps with motivation is to find people who have successfully achieved what you want to achieve and use them as a role-model – a point to aim for and take guidance from. After all, if they’ve done it, what is stopping you from doing it to? I know you know the answer… Absolutely nothing! If you can’t find anyone who’s done anything like what you want to do, then find someone who’s still achieved the ‘un-achievable.’ There are plenty of success stories out there to inspire you and make you dig a little deeper to explore ways you can get to your end goal.
STEP 3 – Get Committed
This is the big one! By this point you’ll know roughly the aspects of you’re life that you’re both satisfied and dissatisfied with. You’ll also know how you’re being held back by staying where you are and how your life would be enhanced by creating some sort of change. So the next step to achieving your goals is to get clear and specific on what exactly you want to achieve, the first steps to get you working towards it and deadlines for when different things need to be achieved.
Let’s take losing weight as an example – something that many people often work on. See if you have a goal to lose X stone in lets say 6 months, break it down to what you need to lose each month and then schedule the actions you’ll take towards it each week and when. Don’t just say- I’ll achieving this by working out more. On which days will you work out? For how long? Doing what activity? What other things may impact it? E.g. diet, fitting it in around a busy schedule, staying healthy when out with friends and family etc.
The more you get clear on what exactly you will be doing, the more likely you are to achieve your goals. Set up a schedule that is realistic and achievable and once you start sticking to it, it will start to become a habit and get easier. If weight-loss does happen to be one of your goals, have a look at this post – it might just inspire you!
Note:
If your goal is a big one- break it down into chunks so it seems more manageable and don’t forget to add in incentives. Give yourself rewards for reaching the goals that take you to the ultimate one. For example- you want to save a certain amount that will enable you to move out or buy your first home, set milestones for saving targets and give yourself a little reward as you reach 25%, 50%, 75% and so on. Or, if you want to set up a new business – work on it then treat yourself to dinner upon launch! Trust me: it really helps with motivation and keeps you going, especially because at times you’ll have to make sacrifices to get to where you want to be.
CHALLENGE: WRITE A LIST OF ALL THE THINGS YOU’D LIKE TO DO THIS NEXT YEAR AND TIE THEM INTO YOUR GOALS. AFTER ALL: IT CAN’T BE ALL WORK AND NO PLAY!
But What If I Don’t Know How To Achieve My Goal?
If you set a complex target- you may not know straight away the exact plan of action to get you there and this is ok. But do your research- like I mentioned above about role models- see how others have made it happen and replicate that until you find a way that’s right for you. Or start by taking the first steps towards achieving it and set another date that you will analyse your goals again and the best ways to progress from there. You’ll learn and grow as you go, so you don’t need to have everything figured out from the get-go. Just map out a plan based on the ideas and steps that first make sense to you, then take it from there.
It’s easy to drift away from your goals- especially when they’re not entirely simple or easy to achieve. That’s why we add the driving factors using pain & pleasure, and have these milestones to work towards that will take you there step by step. Don’t forget to keep referring back to your lists when you need them – they’re part of the key steps to achieving your goals for a reason and they will keep you on track.
Aside from each stepping stone (or target) – set deadlines and action plans: tasks you need to complete to achieve it each specific milestone. If these things don’t work, don’t give up- simply get back to the drawing board to try a new approach. Speak to different people, study things further, try, try and try again! Because if you refuse to give up and are constantly learning along the way, I guarantee you will eventually get to where you want to be – no matter how long it takes.
Attitude Is Everything…
All of those reasons why you MUST do this and you WANT to do this will be your motivation to get you started and then keep you going. Look at the mindset you have towards it all too. Don’t think of the things you have to do as a chore, but instead something good, positive, exciting…
Remember, these things are going to change your life. If you’re losing weight, this won’t just be a one-time goal, but a continued lifestyle change to then sustain that weight and level of fitness, which is why it’s even more important to have those strong reasons behind wanting to do it! Likewise with business: it will transform not only your lifestyle and future, but the future of your family and loved ones.
Like any goal you have: it won’t always be easy but you need to always be driven by why it will be worth it. Don’t create temporary change, create life-long change by making these things happen and then developing them into habits.
“If you talk about it, its a dream. If you envision it, its possible. When you schedule it- its REAL…”
Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by CHANGE. If you truly want to change your life, start by changing your mindset and following these three crucial steps to achieving your goals. All of this is in your hands and the best time to start is NOW!
Thanks for reading, I really hope this has helped in some way. Wishing you all the best in your journey.
Love,
Ell _xx
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