Out of the Box
The presents are unwrapped and out of the box, now it's time to start thinking that way. Christmas evening I opened the pantry door and took out a trash bag. For years we kept the trash bags under the sink. I probably walked ten thousand miles from the sink to the trash can before I moved the bags to the pantry right next to the trash can. I was acting out of habit and not thinking. In a week, people will be making New Years resolutions. If these resolutions are to become reality, they will need to be thought out and not born of habit. Some will be the usual, "I need to lose weight" kind, which will never be accomplished. Others will set goals to "go to the health club." They will go for a week or two and then revert to their familiar ways. A few will keep their resolutions. How will they do it?
First, they will spend some time dreaming. Goals have a better chance of getting completed if they are part of a dream. A goal is a step toward our destination. Goals are compass headings. Now, most goals are demanding and require discipline, otherwise we would "just do it." They are not often fun to do, but pay off with a desired result. I may not relish getting up early in the morning and running in the cold, but I like my pants fitting well. Goals are not always doing something; sometimes they are to resist doing something. Examples are to stop smoking, to cut down on our food intake, or to stop procrastinating about a particular project. Dreaming has you imagine what your life would be like if you did "X" or if you stopped doing "Y". With a clear picture in your mind, allow yourself to soak it in and really want it - now realize it is possible IF you are willing to pay the price. You will need this image when you are tempted to shirk your daily duty. Lying in bed just after the alarm goes off, I may need to remind myself why it is necessary to leave the comfortable confines of the warm, cozy bed and go out into freezing weather. Right now I can't remember why, but there is a reason I once dreamed about, ha.
The rest of it is practical stuff anyone can do. Many have written about goals and organizing to get them done. I do not believe the method makes a lot of difference IF your head is in the right place. You must be self motivated or you will break your resolution before the words leave your mouth.
The short answer is this:
A goal must be Measurable, Achievable, and Practical. (MAP)
If a goal is not specific how will you know if you achieved it? Quantify the goal. What will you do? When will you complete it?
Goals also need to be achievable. I could set a goal to be a Navy fighter pilot, but it is not achievable for many reasons. I could set a goal to learn about Navy fighter pilots, but not to be one. You must decide what is and is not achievable. I would not want to squelch someone's dream and the impossible dream has been accomplished. The Wright brothers wanted to fly and they achieved the goal despite popular opinion. They illustrate an earlier point of the head being the most important factor in goal achievement. They could have quit trying to fly, but they WANTED it. WANTING it carries you through the hard times.
The last factor in goal setting is, goals must be practical. If the goal is not a step toward the larger goal, why are you doing it? You could be making good time, but if you are going in the wrong direction, how do you benefit?
I will say more about goals before New Years, but I wanted to remind folks to dream a bit and see if you are in the mood to set a goal this year. You don't have to, but this is as good a time as any. What have you been meaning to do? What have you put off? What bugs you? Is there anything you have been meaning to get done, but haven't? Think how your life would be affected if these issues were addressed.
I invite you to dream a bit - the first step to accomplishing the impossible or just losing five pounds.
Until the next time
John Strain