I’ve got a cupboard full of aspirations. You too?
Projects. Dreams. Grand intentions and great ideas that line up perfectly with my life’s purpose.
Some ideas are a quick flash and then gone — they die crumpled up at the bottom of my computer bag or lost in a hard drive abyss. Others though . . . the good ones . . . make it to the cupboard. Tucked away for safe keeping but helping no one.
- The first two chapters of six different books.
- The expat video course that only made it to paper.
- The family project that was SUCH a good idea . . . and still is.
This coming year, for me, is gearing up to be significant.
Exciting.
Pivotal.
You too?
Now, more than ever, I’m making conscious decisions to take the things I’ve been talking about for years off the shelf and move them out of the cupboard of grand intentions — but I’m not just making Resolutions and neither should you.
Why?
Because we’ve got better options. Much better. Astronomically better.
Here are 3 proven ways to get your dreams off the shelf.
ONE: GET CRYSTAL CLEAR ON YOUR WHY
For me, the definition of genius is something so simple that everyone who hears it says, “well DUH! that’s not exactly rocket science” . . . and then realizes that it would transform everything if they actually did it.
Simon Sinek’s, Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action is that kind of genius. Any project, idea, vision, mission, job or life that hasn’t answered the question, “Why am I doing this” will at the very best lack joy and will more likely die young.
Duh.
But do you?
Know your why?
You know your “what” — Write a book. Move abroad. Get a raise. Build relationships. Learn the language.
You may even know your how — but until your WHY is at the core and driving the rest something will be missing.
Simon says it well . . . Watch his TED Talk below and check out StartWithWhy.com
TRY THIS: Spend one hour clarifying your “why”. Jot down everything you can think of and then refine it. Pull it all together into a statement that you can easily remember and always come back to.
Here’s mine: To equip global people so that they can do their thing more effectively. Another way to say it is “to bless global people so they can be a blessing.”
TWO: WRITE YOUR GOALS DOWN
Studies show that writing down your goals increases the likelihood of accomplishment by 43%.
It’s not magic. But it is science.
- Click here to read: Neuroscience Explains Why You Need to Write Down Your Goals if You Actually Want to Achieve Them
- Click here to read: The Power of Writing Down Your Goals and Dreams
Here’s what happens when you write your goals down.
- They move from the “Grand IDEA” center in your right brain to the “get stuff done” center in your left brain.
- You dramatically increase your own likelihood of recall.
- You produce more and more clarity which is critical if they’re ever going to become real.
- You expose the unrealistic bits which creates an opportunity to remove barriers.
- You create a visual to keep in front of you and move towards.
For clarity here — the scribbled hieroglyphics from the initial right brain, “this would be so cool” session don’t count as writing your goals down. No one can read that but you.
Get specific.
- What will this look like when it exists?
- How can I make it more specific?
- When will it happen?
- What is the path to get there?
TRY THIS: Commit to three, 30-minute sessions this week (name the day and the time) where you will write down your goals for the year. Start with everything. Big dreams. No limits. Refine that and shoot for producing something that would be clear enough for someone else to read and understand exactly what your goals are.
3. PARTNER UP AND MAKE A PLAN
This one is huge.
According to Forbes and Statistic Brain Research Institute, 8% of people who make New Year’s Resolutions achieve those goals.
I’m gonna’ do the math for you . . . that’s 92% failure.
Compare that with this. According to the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) 65% reach their goals if they have an accountability partner.
That’s a big jump.
But wait . . . there’s more.
The same study showed that when you set a regular, ongoing appointment with your accountability partner that number jumps to 95%.
Let me grab my calculator.
Yep. I was right.
That’s only 5% failure. That looks like this.
It’s not rocket science . . . but it kind of feels like magic.
TRY THIS: Choose a partner. Maybe it’s a friend with similar dreams. Maybe it’s a colleague that you can also support. Maybe you’re ready for a coach. Could be face to face, could be online. Just choose your partner and set up a schedule to discuss your forward movement.
I sincerely hope that you are one of the 8%.
The victorious New Year’s Resolutioners who are about to lose weight, write a book and get a raise.
But if you’re one of the unlucky 92% (and let’s just presume you are) . . . there is a better way.
Get crystal clear on your why.
Write your goals down.
And partner up with a plan.
I’m watching it work in my own life already . . . and I am SO EXCITED about this coming year because one by one my lofty aspirations are coming off the shelf.
More details to come.
You too?
Tell me about it. Comment below. What have you been talking about but have never done? How are you going to move forward? What’s your why?
