ROADBLOCK SERIES #1: GOALS

In the last post, we presented the results of our survey that defined many ROADBLOCKS to our career success.   Now we will start a series of posts that will provide the information you need to overcome each ROADBLOCK.

Here’s the first post in the series.

ROADBLOCKS:  Establish and Focus on Your Goals

Why define goals? 

Have you ever shopped at the grocery store when you forgot your shopping list at home?  You couldn’t remember everything you needed so you had to leave knowing you didn’t get it all.  Maybe you felt a little disappointed.  Depending on what you forgot, you may have had to make a second ‘unplanned’ trip. 

Two important points here.  The first is that you created more work for yourself by forgetting what you needed.  The second is that depending on what activity you’re engaged in, you may only get one opportunity.  If the previous example was your only opportunity, such as making the most of a networking opportunity with executives, you missed it. 

You have a great resource that can overcome these obstacles; that is, your subconscious.  However, to set it on its journey to find you success, you need to tell it where you want to go.   

                                                                  

The subconscious.  It’s where you keep long-term memories that affect your behavior, such as fear.  It is also the source of your creativity and intuition.  It has the ability to make sense out of environmental cues and patterns that our conscious mind isn’t aware of.  Your subconscious has a great deal of mental ability.  If you’ve ever solved a problem in your sleep, you’ve had a glimpse at what it can do.  But there’s much more to it. 

By defining your goals, or building your roadmap to success, you give you subconscious everything it needs to guide you on the path.  You just need to take a little conscious thought and put it on paper.  Read it out loud to yourself to engage your whole brain and engrave into your subconscious.  Then you go about your normal daily routines.  You don’t have to actively think about opportunities because your subconscious will do that for you. 

Things change and so will your plans, if you want them to. You just need to keep track of your needs and desires to make sure your goals coincide with them. 

Defining major goals.  As previously mentioned, you should focus on your needs and desires.  Write them down.  Then, define ways to meet them.  Think broadly.  Maybe you want to be a business owner, actor, or a doctor.  You should define goals that can be measured, tracked and achieved.  A certain amount of reality is important here.  If you want to be a millionaire, realize that may require great sacrifice or risk.  If you know you won’t do it, then don’t set plans for it. 

Defining the path.  With each goal in mind, think of ways to get to each goal.  With these definitions, you should include more clarity by identifying activities that can be engaged to get you closer to the result you want; that is, your goal.  Some goals may require many activities.  Identify them the best you can but realize that your subconscious may later identify a better way to get there.  Writing something down now gives your mind a starting point to begin its creative thought.  Remaining open minded provides your subconscious the real estate it needs to be truly creative.

Defining the timeline.   After you have activities listed, try to put an amount of time down to achieve it.  Pick a date on the calendar.  This will serve to motivate you to complete it.  Please note this requires discipline.  I wrote my first book in 3 years.  I can’t tell you how many times I stopped and started again.  Many times I struggled to figure out where I left off and what my trail of thought was at the time I last worked on it.  However, I was determined to finish it and I did.  Push yourself to complete the activities. 

Celebrate.  Once you complete an activity, celebrate it.  Too many times we try similar things looking for different results.  This disappointment forces us to create the belief that engaging in the activity is pointless and will be fruitless.  Celebrating your successes keeps you upbeat and motivated to continue.  You won’t achieve your goals without disappointments but you don’t have to let them keep you from getting there.

Focus.  As I learned with my book, focus is difficult.  I’m married with 3 small kids so I didn’t have to create an excuse to not work on the book.  Excuses were everywhere.  So, I chose to share my career map with my closest friends and family.  I used them to keep me on track and schedule.  You see, I didn’t won’t to be seen as a slacker or disappoint my closest friends. They motivated me to continue.  I encouraged them to praise me when I did well and chastise me when I did poorly.  Open yourself up to those around you.  You’ll be surprised to find that many will help you achieve your goals.  Just show passion and drive for your goals.  People respond well to it.