Make Your Goals a Habit

When we're starting out, it's tempting to treat goal-setting as an all or nothing mindset, where aiming to excel, establish a great reputation and be recognised as successful are the daily focuses of our lives.

Over time we may come to realise that big goals are in many ways like onions, with multi-layers contributing to the finished product, each needing to be nurtured and developed. It's important to make time for them to grow and be recognised as separate components, with the layers eventually coming together to make the ultimate result.

We maybe set aside time to promote ourselves on social media, update our accounts, complete our journal, do some yoga practice, go online for a special class, but it's only when our goals are absorbed into our way of life and become second nature, a habit, that they become an automatic part of our functioning, pulling together to make a well-rounded quality of life.

By making your goals a habit you're living each day to the full, enjoying what you're doing and are less distracted by how much it advances your route to success. You simply keep going, working with your master plan towards the big picture, whilst incorporating positive practices into your daily life.

You may have identified stepping-stones, actions and decisions that need to be taken everyday to achieve your goal. For example, progressing your business growth may require a specific number of contacts to be made on a regular basis, losing weight may include daily choices about exercise and what to eat, running a marathon may mean covering a certain distance each week. Doing something big or small that becomes a part of your regular mindset and commitment.

Even on relatively inactive days or those times when other things take precedence it's important to make some acknowledgement of your ultimate focus. That way, your actions gradually become a habit. Remind yourself of your goals by having them in plain sight on a vision board, on your screen saver or by writing them in the front of your journal or diary, so that you connect with them regularly, either consciously or unconsciously. Ensure that they're always with you.

You may have high-lighted specific big goals as the focus for your efforts, but habits come about through being a reasonably comfortable, regular commitment, rather than being so big that you risk becoming overwhelmed or required to park other areas of your life. Doing something that's straightforward and relatively easy to include has a greater chance of becoming a habit and subsequently resulting in success.

That's why it's best to break big goals down into smaller segments, bite-sized chunks that don't need too much thought or can be arranged in advance. Otherwise, on busy, stressful days all your good intentions risk being cast to one side, as you default to easier, more familiar habit patterns, or reject them as you deal with pressing matters that require all your attention.

Some people find that making lists is a positive way to introduce a new habit, breaking down a larger goal into achievable actions each day. Setting a timer can help you manage how long to spend on each task, so ensuring there's real focus on the task in hand, whilst also avoiding becoming too absorbed for too long on a single piece of work.

It's good to cultivate the habit of achieving something, however small, each day. That mindset is proactive, motivational and encourages you to intermittently review your plans, raise the bar and move them forwards. Even a quick phone call or email can be enough to make progress.

When that outlook has become a habit, there's an enthusiastic approach to what can be achieved each day; something small on busy days, taking larger steps when there's the time and energy available.

Accountability is often important, having someone to regularly check-in with, who wants to know what you've done, where you're up to, what the likely outcome could be. Scheduling an appointment when you have to explain yourself is incredibly motivational; something that's only too evident on the days before a slimmer's class has a weigh-in!

But a coach or mentor can also help iron out any issues, steer or guide you as to available options, help you re-focus after a set-back. Someone who's on your side, who's with you during your struggles, who understands what you're going through can make a massive difference to your motivation levels.

Making your goals a habit is an important contributor to your success, but don't allow yourself to be too tied down by them. Allow yourself to enjoy the journey and maybe even appreciate occasional detours along the way. After all, once you reach your destination you may be at a loss as to what to do next or simply be inspired to start again and set some new goals.

Sometimes it's exciting not to be too rigid about chasing your initial goals. It can be satisfying to enjoy exploring new opportunities and follow where they lead. Unexpected adventures can be a reward in themselves. Take time to value each experience that presents itself as you progress. Then, your goal-motivated mindset will become a habit, as well as a stimulating and enjoyable contributor to your way of thinking.

Susan Leigh, South Manchester counsellor, hypnotherapist, relationship counsellor, writer & media contributor offers help with relationship issues, stress management, assertiveness and confidence. She works with individual clients, couples and provides corporate workshops and support.

She's author of 3 books, 'Dealing with Stress, Managing its Impact', '101 Days of Inspiration #tipoftheday' and 'Dealing with Death, Coping with the Pain', all on Amazon. To order a copy or for more information, help and free articles visit http://www.lifestyletherapy.net

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Susan_Leigh/399535

Focus On How You CAN, Instead of Can't!

Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right. These words, generally, credited, to Henry Ford, succinctly, explain, how significant, one's attitude, and mind - set, is, to becoming, the best, and most significant, one can possibly, be!

When one faces obstacles, does he consider, these, as problems, or challenges, to overcome? If, you, introspectively, think - about, the differing image, between problematic thinking, versus, perceiving something, as an obstacle, while, the former, risks, letting things, control you, and your reaction (or lack of), the latter, usually, leads to focusing, on ways, to overcome any challenges, and proceed, in the best way, possible, towards a personally, viable, valuable solution, etc. When your emphasis/ focus, consistently, considers, how, you CAN, instead of, all the reasons, you can't, your chances, of personal growth, and achievement, become, exponentially, greater! With, that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, what this means and represents, and why it matters.

1. Character; create/ creative; coordinate; caring; consideration; clarity/ clear: One's essential, quality of character, is an important factor, between, proceeding, with the necessary, degree of clarity, and insights, versus, becoming, far - less, than you might be! Personal success, and satisfaction, often is derived, from, the ability and willingness, to create a winning - scenario, rather than, dwelling on the negatives. This personal creativity, helps one coordinate, overcoming one's fears, with caring about becoming the best person, possible! To achieve this, often, requires, optimal consideration, clarity, and being willing, to be clear, and seek a solution! In other words, it makes sense, to give yourself, a check - up, from the neck - up, in order to proceed, in the most productive manner!

2. Assess/ assessment; attitude; aptitude; articulate; actions: Will you be ready, and willing, to assess, the real - you, using a meaningful, personal assessment? Personal achievement comes - from, proceeding, consistently, with a positive, can - do, attitude, and articulating, to yourself, the most - positive message, possible! Aligning this, with well - considered, actions, helps you, put, your best - foot - forward!

3. Needs; negativity; nuances; nerve: Avoid the tendency to take the easier path, which often, creates an atmosphere/ aura, of negativity! Know what makes you happy, and satisfies, address those specific nuances, and proceed, with the nerve, to take, well - considered, timely action, instead of resorting to procrastination!

When things, get, tough, will you take the path, of least - resistance, and choose, to procrastinate, or, the beneficial option, of believing, you CAN succeed! If you want to be your own, best friend, proceed, forward, avoiding, emphasizing, problems, and considering, challenges, to overcome!

Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, Director of Development, consultant, professionally run events, consulted to thousands, and conducted personal development seminars, for 4 decades. Rich has written three books and thousands of articles. His company, PLAN2LEAD, LLC has an informative website http://plan2lead.net and Plan2lead canal so be followed on Facebook http://facebook.com/Plan2lead

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Richard_Brody/492539

Why 2% Succeed and 98% Don't - John Assaraf

 

https://youtu.be/nYJx8Jix0e4

Here's some great advice from John Assaraf on achieving your goals

It's Not What Happens That Determines The Quality Of Your Life, But How You Respond To It

Why We Are Attracting The Same Conditions?

Everything that happens in our life reflects our inner state of being. It has to because no two people have the same lesson from their experience. Therefore, it underscores that what we think is externalised in our reality, whether we are conscious of it. Many people struggle with this idea and try to change outside circumstances to coincide with their inner state of being. For example, if we are unhappy being single, we will look for a partner. If the relationship falls short of our expectations, we might end it because it hasn't fulfilled our needs. The same thing happens in other areas of life. We try desperately to change the world outside of us, to make us happy. But this is a recipe for disaster because the key to happiness is to reverse engineer the process.

We must first adjust our thoughts, then we will attract ideal conditions that match our inner vision. 

Can you identify with this? Have you experienced something similar? It's a common situation because we are convinced the only way to attain happiness is to change outside conditions. Unfortunately, we cannot change reality and therefore can only control our inner state of being. Can you recall the child toy you played with called a Shape Sorter, where you had to fit a circle, triangle or square into its corresponding shape? The toy is useful for building children's motor-skill patterns. Some children initially struggle to make a triangle fit into a square hole, but eventually work out the correct block.

I'm proposing we adopt a similar analogy and align our thoughts with our true desires, instead of trying to manipulate reality. Therefore, it's not our circumstances that determine the quality of our life, but how we respond to it. We must find out why we are attracting the same conditions. For example, do you repeatedly attract the same negative experiences? It might be with your finances, health, relationships or career? I know it's frustrating because there was a time I was attracting difficult experiences without knowing why. I was spinning my wheels and couldn't see past my difficulties.

When I stopped trying to change external circumstances and accepted my problems, my life improved enormously. I accepted I was attracting undesirable circumstances and discovered why these patterns kept repeating. I processed my childhood wounds where anger, resentment and shame were operating and sabotaging my happiness. On a conscious level, I knew what I wanted my life to be, but my actions were not conforming to my innermost thoughts. There was a discrepancy in what I wanted and what was materialising in my life. So, I analysed my old beliefs that were creating my difficult experiences and adjusted them to correspond with a new reality.

You Are Not Powerless To Change Your Life

I realise it might seem like a lot of hard work. But what's the rush, if you keep repeating the same patterns and attracting negative circumstances? I surprised when people say: "It was meant to be" because what I'm hearing is resignation and apathy in their words. I'm hearing someone who is not in control of their life and feels powerless to change their circumstances. How we respond to our problems is based on our attitude. Our response is how we claim control over our circumstances, instead of allowing them to defeat us. Life is mirroring our innermost beliefs about reality. When people say life is good or bad, I disagree because life is impartial. It is a concealed mirror reflecting what we hold in our heart and mind.

Are you getting the sense that you have more power than you realise? Can you see by directing your thoughts, you shift your life in a different direction? You don't have to keep recycling the same conditions. I'm assuming since you are reading this article, you are drawn to the message these words convey? I'm assuming you want to make changes, but you are scared or don't know what steps to take? And that's okay. It's okay to be frightened and not know how to get out of your current circumstances; it means you will keep searching for answers. But don't believe for a second you are powerless to change your life. It may seem that way from your current position because you are a focussed on the problem, not the solution.

So, here's an exercise I invite to undertake, if you are serious about overcoming your current challenges. In a recent blog article via his website, researcher and lecturer Dr Joe Dispenza invites us to answer five questions regarding our current challenges. I completed the exercise recently on a current problem and found it valuable to look at my situation from a fresh perspective. Instead of dwelling on the problem, I could see how it was contributing to my personal growth. In fact, I came up with five advantages that the problem was contributing to my life. So, after you finish reading this article, take 10 or 15 minutes and complete the questions. See if you can find the hidden treasure contained within your current problem. Give yourself the gift of responding to your challenges differently. It is only when we step outside the box and see our problems from a new perspective that we will change our life completely.

Do you want to lead a remarkable life? Are you committed to taking action despite your fears and doubts? If so, download your FREE copy of my eBook NAVIGATE LIFE right now, and start your amazing journey of greatness today!

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Tony_Fahkry/837610

Become Successful by Doing the Simple Things Right Every Day

Everybody wants to understand the magic formula of how to be successful in life. And especially at the beginning of a New Year, we make resolutions to improve our lives, hoping to pivot towards success.

We set out to stop smoking, exercise regularly, learn a new language, or save more money. But studies have shown that 80% of all New Year Resolutions fail within weeks.

Why is it that people fail to stick to their resolutions? And how can you create lasting positive change in your life?

Any famous actor, athlete, or entrepreneur will tell you that success does not come overnight. Instead, being successful is the result of years of practice and making the right choices.

Master 3 Areas to Become Successful in Life

To experience the magic of great success, here are three areas we need to master:

First, we need to develop a life philosophy that helps us tackle daily life with the right attitude.

Second, we need to commit to lifelong learning.

And third, there are essential habits to heed that will make success unavoidable.

All the reasons why people don't succeed with their New Year Resolutions relate in one way or another to attitude, learning, and habits.

And perhaps we weren't ready when the New Year started. After all, it is just a random date, and any day is perfect for changing your life.

As the Chines proverb says, 'The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.'

And the good news is that we all already can excel in these success enablers.

1. Develop the Right Attitude to Excel in Life

We live our lives moment by moment. And a lot of those moments we pass with seemingly unimportant activities like making our bed, brushing our teeth, taking the escalator, ordering coffee at Starbucks.

We also call these daily life activities the mundane, and many of us perceive them as dull.

And we tend to overlook the little things because they often do not have an immediate result. Little things compound over time. And as such, they make all the difference.

And as the ancient Zen saying goes, "The Way a Person Does One Thing Is the Way They Do Everything," every seemingly small choice in our life matters.

When we control the small things in our lives, we demonstrate to ourselves that we are responsible for our lives.

Blaming the circumstances never gets us anywhere. And by being in control of the little things in our life, we also develop the proper focus that will eventually lead us to success.

95% of people fail at achieving most of their goals in life. How can this be when all we have to do is concentrate on the simple things in life? Successful people know that everything they do in life matters.

Unsuccessful people often think, unknowingly, that what they do right now does not matter.

Our view on life is our life philosophy. It determines our mindset and attitudes, feelings, and, of course, actions.

An essential part of our life philosophy related to success is knowing that we can improve our intelligence and abilities.

The Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck has called this the growth mindset. If you have a growth mindset, you don't believe that your current situation is everlasting.

This understanding particularly applies to how we deal with failures. When you come to see faults as proof of having an inept personality, this limiting and prejudicial fixed mindset will become a natural constraint to your growth.

Dweck found that those with a growth mindset managed to recover from failures. More accurately, she noticed that because the growth-minded students didn't regard their intelligence level as fixed, they did not perceive failure as a threat.

Instead, people with a growth mindset know they could learn from failure and use the experience to improve. As a result, they are more inclined to take on challenges and learn from them.

2. Lifelong Learning Will Help You Live up to New Challenges

Having a growth mindset, you understand that you can and must continuously evolve with your environment.

Good past choices that brought you where you are today might not keep you there as the world changes.

Reading ten pages of an inspirational and educational book every day can significantly enrich your life. Doing so would mean that you could finish a 300-page book every month. You could also listen to 15 minutes of life-transforming audio every day or take a course or a seminar every few months.

Once you learn something, you need to put it into practice. As the Chinese philosopher Confucius said, 'Knowledge without practice is useless, and practice without knowledge is dangerous.'

3. Use the Power of Positive Habits to Become Unstoppable

We all struggle to break bad habits, despite our best efforts. So here's a tip: The easiest way to get rid of a bad habit is to replace it with a good one.

Good habits are a vital ingredient in how to be successful in life. But establishing good habits requires action.

No matter how much skill, knowledge, experience, or resources we have, they are of no use unless we do something.

That's why the first habit we need to cultivate is to show up. As the American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, 'Do the thing, and you shall have the power.'

Time can be your best friend or your worst enemy. If we follow through on taking small, simple, positive actions every day, success will become apparent as time goes on.

But if we ignore the mundane matters of life, we may fail to achieve our goals.

And to make your life easier right now, surround yourself with successful people.

Those around us naturally influence us. So if your closest connections are heading for failure, you might end up there, too.

But if they're on the path to success, that is your likely destination, too.

And remember: It does not matter where you come from, but where you go will make all the difference.

Svend Nelson is a writer, online entrepreneur and university lecturer. Svend lived and worked in various countries across Latin America, Europe and Asia and now spends most of his time in Thailand. A more detailed version of the above article has appeared on TumDaiNa, a Thai website with practical resources to become the best version of yourself.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Svend_Nelson/14256