We often set goals that we believe we ‘have’ to achieve. However, the reality is that we are not always willing to do what it takes to achieve them. In fact, when we say ‘I have to’, we do it out of obligation rather than for the sake of it. The big difference is that if you can say ‘I want to’ instead of ‘I have to’, you are one step closer to the goal.
Steps to setting goals
When it comes to setting goals, these 4 steps can be a good guide:
Review your internal dialogue
It happens that, sometimes, defining our goals well, following the above or other guidelines, is not a guarantee that we will achieve them. One of the reasons for this failure is our internal saboteurs.
What do you tell yourself? Sometimes, we use expressions such as ‘I’m not going to make it’ and we give them more importance than the goal itself, blocking our actions and consolidating those beliefs. The result? We don’t achieve it, we reinforce the limiting belief and feel frustrated.
In these situations, start by identifying the limiting beliefs that accompany you and that hinder you from achieving your goal, whether they are your own or come from other people.
Once you have identified the internal discourse that is limiting you, look for ways to counteract it. Some ideas are:
- See what resources you have at your disposal.
- Remember successful situations in the past and the resources you used to overcome them. Ask yourself: Has this happened to me before? How did I overcome it? What did I do in that situation?
- Look at what other people who have been successful in a similar situation have done: what does that person have? What does he/she do? What doesn’t he/she do?
- Seek support to encourage you to achieve the result and accompany you in the process.
- Learn something you might need to be better prepared.
One that I personally like is to think about who I am going to dedicate my success to.
Conclusion
Change your narrative. What matters is not what happens to you, but what you tell yourself. If your internal dialogue is negative or focused on not succeeding, this will undoubtedly lead to a bad outcome.
Overcome limiting beliefs with solid arguments that help you believe in yourself and in your ability to achieve your goals, you will be closer to success.
And remember: you have all the resources to achieve your goals, and if you don’t have them, you have the resources to pursue them.
I wish you every success.
