Imagine your ideal life—how would it be different than what your life is like today? Spend a few quiet minutes thinking on this, and you’ll find the key areas where you’re ready to set a goal. Make your goal bigger that what you think you can do, in order to stretch you and challenge you. This exercise can be inspiring, motivating, and exciting, but soon comes the hard part of getting it done!
Can You Keep Going?
You can achieve the big goals that are currently out of reach, and the path there is simpler and more straightforward that you think. But one thing is required: consistent right action. Take a physical example: losing weight. In order to drop that ten pounds, all you have to do is lose half a pound a day for twenty days. How? Increase your energy output and reduce your calorie intake—it really is as simple as that. But, here’s the hard part—on day three, when you’re hungry and your body is sore, will you continue with the consistent right action of eating healthy and exercise, or will you take a break and let your goals fade into memory?
The Slight Edge Principle
Setting goals is important. But alone, the activity of setting a goal may not bring you what you want. Once you set a goal, you must commit to it, and keep the goal in front of your eyes. Like many principles of success, this important step is easy to do. But easy to do is also easy not to do, and oftentimes we skip this important step, to our own peril.
How to Keep the Goal in Mind
What does it mean to keep a goal before your eyes? Well, first it means that your goal must be written down. Have a number and a date (for example, run a mile in seven minutes by December 15, 2013) so you have a clear idea where you are going. Next, find a way to bring your goal to the front of your mind every day. Some helpful ideas here include writing your goal and taping it to you bathroom mirror. Some people ask others to help keep them on track towards their goals by checking in with them every few days, or even pursuing a similar goal at the same time. One idea that I found strange at first was to actually speak your goals out loud every day. What at first felt very silly became a valuable tool in training my mind to see and take action toward my goals every day. Whatever method you want to use, the main key is to keep your mind on your goal.
Your Mind Working for You
Your mind is an amazing thing, and if you take the time to focus it on your goals, you will be astounded how it starts seeing opportunities around you every day. Stay committed, stay steady, and start down the path toward living the thriving life that’s waiting for you!