Example of Goal Achieving Process

Last month I wrote about focusing on goal achieving instead of just goal setting. I wrote about how your frustration is caused by a misalignment of your natural talents and skills to your current job or position. I then explained the goal achieving process. Many people responded to that newsletter asking me for more details or maybe an example. So, I’ve decided to share my personal goal achieving process with you to let you know what has worked for me in the hope that it will inspire you.

#1 Dream Big Dreams

Don’t be afraid to dream big dreams. Many folks that I talk to have been beaten down by the path they’ve taken in life. They lack the self-confidence to even dream big. I recognize this because I’ve been there. As a kid, I was going to change the world, then somehow, by the time I was 35 years old the world had changed me.

Look at your life and decide what you want financially, spiritually, personally, relationally. What do you want to accomplish? What legacy do you want to leave? What would you like the people you know to say about you at the end of your life?

For me, well, some of my dreams are this:

Impact the lives of 1 million people (yes, I put my pinky to my mouth when I say that like in the Austin Powers movie)
Make over 1 million dollars in a year (no matter what I have to pay in taxes)
Give away over 1 million dollars
Be on the cover of Success Magazine
Be on ESPN in the game (not just at the game with a rainbow afro on my head)

#2 Who do You want to Become?

Instead of chasing money and fame which can leave you feeling empty and maybe even broken in the end, focus on becoming the person who would rightfully have the things that you dream about.

As Og Mandino writes: “… I am prepared for wisdom and principles which will guide me out of the shadows into the sunlight of wealth, position, and happiness far beyond my most extravagant dreams until even the golden apples in the Garden of Hesperides will seem no more than my just reward.”

I want to be on the cover of Success Magazine. It is a tangible way to know that I have reached my first goal. The people on the cover have impacted the lives of millions of people. Recent covers include Anthony Hopkins, Dave Ramsey, Alicia Keys and Dr. Phil. These are the people who have traits and characteristics that I would like to acquire. I study these people so that I will know which attributes I need to reach my goals. Eventually, I will know that I’ve reached my goal if my mug is on the cover of that (or an equivalent type) magazine.

#3 Traits, Properties and Characteristics

Develop a list of characteristics and traits that are important for you to acquire in order to achieve your dreams. What kinds of attributes, disposition, and constitution do I need to develop to become a person that positively impacts the lives of a million people? My list isn’t perfect, but it’s what I’ve come up with:

Empathetic
Compassionate
Courageous
Decisive
Integrous
Authentic
Self-Confident
Self-Forgiving
Respectful
Effective
Joyful
Inspiring

#4 Setting Proper Goals that Inspire You

Now, the goals that I set are not the same as my dreams. I’ve heard it said that “Goals are dreams with a deadline.” If you believe that, I hope that I can change your paradigm today. Most dreams that you have are not under your complete control to achieve. I’ve had clients say that their goal is to get a promotion by the end of the year. Wow… that’s a goal that they have very little direct control over achieving, right? The company and people they work for control their achievement of that goal. Sure, they may be able to do things that improve their chances, but the actual achievement of the goal is not up to them. I don’t know if you have noticed this or not, but it’s really hard to control other people. 😉

Your goals should be in alignment with your dreams but should be focused on attaining the attributes of the person who rightfully deserves the achievement of their dreams.

So, in my example, I look at what I can do on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to acquire the traits that I listed above. You see, I have complete control over whether I do this or not.

#5 Focus on Your Natural Strengths

In the past, most of my goal setting was focused around my weaknesses. Self-esteem wasn’t my strong suit yet if you check out all the books on my shelves, you will find that they are all about self-improvement, self-confidence, and self-love.

Please believe me when I say fixing a weakness is MUCH harder than using your natural strengths and strengthening what you are already good at and like to do. Figure out where your strengths lie (I can help you with that!) and improve your strengths to achieve your goals and dreams.

For me, empathy and intuition was my natural strength – even if my self-esteem caused me to be filled with apprehension and self-doubt. In order to be successful at achieving my goals and dreams, I had to learn to focus on my empathy and compassion – which to be quite honest, was fun! It’s amazing how people LIKE to do the things that they are NATURALLY good at doing.

#6 Map Out Your Steps

Now, when you look at your list of traits and characteristics that you created in section #3, what ideas come to mind on how to acquire more of these traits? For me, the question is how can a person become more courageous or more decisive? The answer: the same way we become better at anything in life… PRACTICE, specifically deliberate practice.

The steps to achieving my dream of helping one million people starts with acquiring these attributes. So, I look for activities that I can do on a regular basis that help me to do this. In my case, I chose to umpire Little League Baseball.

Every time I take the field I get to practice courage. Have you ever been to a game? The parents and coaches can be brutal. Every game I umpire I get to practice decisiveness. I have a split second to decide whether it’s a ball or strike, out or safe. I also practice integrity. (There are quite a few players out there who will tell you that I’ve told them I messed up a call. It’s amazing because they usually say “That’s ok.”) I also get to practice self-confidence and when I do mess up, I get to practice self-forgiveness. In my role as umpire, I also try to develop the characteristic of inspiring. I’m told I inspire folks just because I have the guts to be the only female on the field. I try to inspire the coaches and players to be better (even if I occasionally have to eject them from the game). When the parents and spectators misbehave, I get to practice being empathetic and respectful.

What activities can you do that will help you develop the traits that you need to earn your dreams?

#7 Celebrate Your Success

When was the last time you danced? When was the last time you threw your arms in the air and jumped up and down… for YOU?!

You are amazing! You have the ability to transform your life and the lives of others. Celebrate your uniqueness and your successes.

You would probably laugh at me, but I will share a recent example with you. I ordered a foam mattress pad for my bed and it wasn’t the right one. Do you know how those things are packaged? They are smooshed and smashed by a machine and rolled into this airtight cellophane wrap. When you unpack it, it expands like those Chinese noodles. Once I realized it was the wrong one, I also realized I had to try to re-roll it and get it back in the box. Well, I can honestly say “I DID IT!!”. Not only did I do it, but when I was done, I jumped up and down with my arms raised in victory and even hooted a little bit to celebrate my success at achieving what I thought was impossible. Silly? Maybe. But incredibly fun and joyful. Oh, look at that, I got to practice another trait – joyful!

Take some time today to celebrate your little successes.

Final Thoughts for You

I hope that my example has helped you in some way. I also hope that you will apply it to your life. I teach these principles to all of my clients and it is so amazing to watch what they achieve.

When you dream big dreams and then take the time to focus on WHO you want to become in order to achieve those dreams, life is more joyful.
When you focus on acquiring attributes, you are focusing on acquiring something that can NEVER be taken away from you.
When you set goals that are completely within your authority to achieve, you empower your mind, your body and your soul to achieve them.
When you focus on your God-given strengths, you wake up every morning excited because you want to, get to and choose to be the master of your destiny.
When you learn to celebrate even the tiniest of your successes, you encourage and inspire yourself to achieve more.

What’s truly amazing is that in the process of becoming the person that impacts the lives of one million people, I am also achieving my dream of getting on ESPN. Hopefully, in a few years, you’ll see me umpiring at the Little League Southwest Regionals or even the Little League World Series.

If you’ve been frustrated in the past or maybe allowed the world to change you, take charge today and change your world. You can do it!

Breaking Free – February 2010 – Goal Example