In Blueprint for Life Success the first 5 messages (after the opt in and thank you) are an e-course I put together for subscribers called Set Inspiring Goals. I have pasted lesson 1 below, in separate blog posts I will start working though this process.
Discover What Inspires You
In order to achieve your goals they must ignite your spirit. Your goals need to move you into action. They can not be “I should…” goals. They need to be “I want…” goals or possibly “I need…” goals. When identifying goals think of what you want to become, to achieve, to obtain, and habits you want to stop or create. Try this exercise: write and re-write
I want ___________________________________________________!
…so I can/will _________________________________________…
…and ___________________________________________________…
…and ___________________________________________________…
…and ______________________________________________________
Do this 5 – 10 times with different wants. Then do it 5 – 10 times
again with…
I need ___________________________________________________!
…so I can/will _________________________________________…
…and ___________________________________________________…
…and ___________________________________________________…
…and ______________________________________________________
An example of this could be:
I want to lose weight!
…so I can/will look good in a swimsuit…
…and feel healthier…
…and become more confident…
…and be a better role model for my daughter
If you need to do this over a few days, go ahead, but keep this in a place where you will see it everyday. If you have a strong support system discuss goal ideas with others, sometimes it is motivating to hear how others see you, direct the conversation to your strengths and interests. What do others see as your strengths? What do others want for you? Just hear it. If something inspires you then adapt it, but do not adapt any “you should…” statements that do not inspire you and get you excited.
Once you have completed your list evaluate the list as follows:
- Do any of these sound like duplicates? If so, combine them into one.
- Are there pivotal goals? Pivotal goals are goals when accomplished will take care of other goals. For example, you have two goals, one is to get a new job and the other goal is to significantly reduce your commute time. If there are career options that significantly reduce your commute time the pivotal goal is to get a new job. The reduced commute time becomes a requirement of the new job. Star the pivotal goal.
- Are there any more reasons why you want to achieve any of these goals? All those “so that I can/will _________” and “… ________________” statements are reasons. Go ahead and jot down any more reasons next to the relevant goal. Star the 3 goals that have the most reasons to accomplish them.
- Are there “I should…” goals on your list that do not inspire you at all? Goals that bring up negative feelings? Cross those out.
- Notice what really inspires you. What got you excited with possibility? Every time you read it you smile. Every time you read it your mind starts to race with possibility. Which ones do you keep coming back to because you really like them? Star these goals.
Now you are down to stand on their own goal ideas. Select no more than 5 to work on. Let’s face it, if you were a goal setting and forgetter in the past, achieving one great goal is significant progress. Conversely, if you are a goal setter and getter, you can get these 3 – 5 done and later set more. If the selected 3 – 5 goals really
are great, you will be a different person after they are achieved and will need to identify more meaningful goals later anyway. So identify the 3 – 5 that you whole heartedly want to accomplish. Here is a hint; they probably have stars near them. Circle these 3 – 5 goals.
To make these 3 – 5 goals more inspiring I want you to get ridiculous. Kick it up several notches! What would spring you right into action? If your goal is reduce your credit card balance, maybe you need to change it to eliminate credit card debt. Identify the 2 cards that support your fine credit history the best and cut up the rest. Once you have paid the balance on those cut up cards you can close those accounts. Start making more intentional spending decisions and make those
decisions with CASH! in hand. Adopt the motto: If I can not pay cash I can not yet afford it.
Let’s go back to the weight loss example:
I want to lose weight!
…so that I will look good in a swimsuit
…and feel healthier
…and become more confident
…and be a better role model to my daughter
…and stop letting my weight stop me from fully living
Now push it over the motivational top…
Book and make a deposit on an August Caribbean cruise for the family.
Well, that is inspiring! There is no way I would ever go to the Caribbean and not snorkel with the stingrays!
To further reinforce this inspiring written goal, let’s get it out of your head and start making it real. If your goal is to purchase a new car, get some pictures of the kinds of car you would like to be seen driving. Maybe have some Photoshop fun and put yourself in the car. Better yet go test-drive the car, have your picture taking in it, and pick up a brochure about it. If you are worried about being strong armed into making a car purchase before you are ready take a friend who is really good at saying “NO!” with you.
If you would like to receive this e-course follow the link at the top of this post to my website where a sign up box is waiting for you.
Now to discovering what inspires me, the topics will include…
- Home Environment
- Nike Career
- Coaching Business
- Health & Fitness
- Financial Growth
Blog posts will be up as I work through this process.
By the way, what do you think of this lesson, Lesson 1 of Set Inspiring Goals E-Course? Any “AH HA’s” for you? Anything you would add? Anything that does not make sense? I welcome your comments. If you want to work through this with me, go ahead and do so in the comments section.
Jodi Rosenberg
