4 Goal Achieving Absolutes
Most people understand the need to set goals and achieve to a higher level, but how does that translate into reality? For example; what does it mean to have a goal to “lose 10 pounds,” or, “be a better boss”? Drilling down to an actionable level of detail is the difference between aspiration and achievement. One of the keys to actualizing a goal is understanding the difference between having a goal and having a detailed plan capable of achieving that goal.
Here are four things that are absolutely necessary to achieve a goal.
1. To achieve a goal it must be attainable
When people talk about goals, they’re usually talking about aspired outcomes that may or may not be within their grasp to achieve. The first question to ask of any goal is; “Is it really possible?” It’s not uncommon, especially in America, to hear from high spirited and high achieving parents, coaches, or teachers, that anything is possible if you set your mind to it… if you really want it bad enough, etc. Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but that’s simply not true! There are certain things in this life that we cannot control, like our DNA. No matter how badly I might have wanted to become a prize winning jockey, or regardless of how hard I might have been willing to work at, it was never going to happen! Unless there is a Kentucky Derby for Clydesdales!
2. To achieve a goal it must be YOUR goal and not someone else’s
Even if the goal being pursued is realistically attainable, there is still one other mandatory requirement; it must be a goal that YOU really want to accomplish.
I grew up in a musical family (talent from my mother’s side). My mother was an excellent pianist. We had a piano in our home and spent many hours around that piano listening, singing, and enjoying music. A goal of my mother was that each of her five children learn how to play the piano. Each of us, at various stages growing up, took our turn under her tutelage. Her goal, however, was not achieved. It only stuck with one of us, my younger sister. Each of us said that we wanted to learn, but when push came to shove, only one child accomplished the goal. Why? Because she was the only one who actually wanted to go through the grueling and tedious hours, months, and years of practice required to obtain the goal. She was able to accomplish the goal because it was actually HER goal too.
3. To achieve a goal you must have a plan
The third must-have for any goal, is a plan. And not just any old plan will do. Winnable goals must have a detailed plan, a road map if you will, consisting of carefully thought out action steps, that when taken one at a time consistently, will achieve the goal. This takes focus, not on the goal, but on each specific action needed to achieve the goal.
Typically just the opposite takes place. If someone’s goal is to lose 10 pounds their next action step is often purely random. They may download a calorie-tracker app on their phone, or buy some new exercise clothes. After doing those two things they’re really not any closer to losing weight, but they can feel good about the fact they’ve done something to get started. There’s a big difference between doing something, and doing the specific actions necessary to actually reach the goal.
4. To achieve a goal you must work the plan to completion one action step at a time
The guiding principle is that if you have a goal without the specific action steps needed to move you forward to reach that goal, you will fail every time. Goals are seldom reached in leaps and bounds. Rather goals are achieved by carefully and faithfully taking one small step at a time.
The one-step-at-a-time approach also eases the pressure of feeling overwhelmed when your focus is on all that has to be accomplished to ultimately reach the goal. Once you have the specific steps to your plan clearly identified, giving you the next specific task that you must physically perform, your mind no longer wanders in a cloud of “all the stuff” you need to do. You’re now looking at a very finite set of action steps, one following the other.
Actions speak louder than goals
Goals without actions are like balconies without steps. No amount of wishful thinking will get you there. That’s why IRUNURUN was created. IRUNURUN is a performance and accountability app designed to help people achieve greater results in their work and lives through focus, consistency, and accountability, by helping people track their progress, one action step at a time, so they never give up.
If you have goals you will absolutely love the IRUNURUN app. It’s easy to access, easy to learn, and even easier to use. Learn all about it and put it to use at www.irunurun.com. It’s also available as an iPhone app.
IRUNURUN is also the accountability app used in my 21 Day Fitness Challenge.
