Setting goals can become very frustrating and produce anxiety when we realize that they aren’t being achieved. Should you set goals that are very likely to happen or goals that are very difficult to reach? What if you miss your goal by a minor amount or the outcome was good, but not what you expected? Alternatively, there is a much less stressful, and possibly more effective alternative to setting goals and achieving your desired outcomes.
The truth about goal setting: The truth is that they are all guesses, estimates, arbitrary, and do not tell the whole story of what you are trying to accomplish. Ironically, you may achieve a better outcome than your goal, but still fail to achieve that goal because you didn’t make the numbers. For example, if you want to lose 20 pounds, but only lose 15 pounds because you also gained lean muscle mass, then you just failed at your goal. You may be healthier, are in better shape, look better, and are stronger, but according to your goal, you just lost. This doesn’t make sense, does it?
Think about the general direction you want to move towards: Do you want to lose weight, make more money, or save more money? Know the direction that you want to go in, but do not specify an exact number. However, it is still important for you to take measurements before, during, and at the end of the year.
Form habits: Goals are not accomplished without actions, which is why your energy should focus on your habits. If you want to lose weight, then start exercising on a daily basis, even if just for 20 minutes a day. If you want to increase sales, then spend 30 minutes a day on marketing activities. Devise a plan of which actions you need to take and then keep repeating them until you build momentum and start seeing results. Tweak as necessary.
Intensity should be based upon desired outcome: If you want to achieve dramatic results, then there should be a direct correlation between the size of the desired outcome and the amount of intensity and effort to achieve that outcome. A desire to increase sales significantly should spark you to spend more than 30 minutes a day on marketing activities, and quite possibly double or triple that.
The bottom line is to set actions instead of goals to achieve desired results.
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