Quick Methods to Identify Your Goals and Get Into Action

What will we do today to ensure all our tomorrows yield the things we want? After all, as responsible, reasonable adults, we are well aware that we will only achieve the future we want through the actions we take in the present.  This is an easy idea to understand but incredibly difficult to implement and maintain.  The problems arise when (a) we only have a vague idea of what we want our future to look like; and (b)even if we have a fairly clear picture of our preferred future, we lack the drive and inspiration to make progress now to ensure the foundations are established for the future.

Let’s look at (a) first.  If we only have a vague idea of what we want our future to look like and we continue to act on this vague picture, then our results are also going to be vague because we will have lacked focus and direction.  This is why it’s so important to attempt to firm up the outline of our future.  Colouring everything in can be done on an ongoing basis, but without a clear outline, the colours (goals) will bleed (mingle).

So how can we begin to get this outline together?  There are a number of methods, and, as with all things personal development, different methods will appeal to different people, so here are a couple worth trying from which you can pick your favourite.

Part of the struggle of deciding our future plans, is that we often have too many conflicting ideas and/or priorities.  Choosing between these ideas and prioritising can be confusing, so this first method attempts to isolate different areas of our lives so that we can see things a little clearer.

Firstly, think of about eight key areas in your life – here are some common examples:

• Spouse/partner
• Children
• Career
• Finances
• Health & fitness
• Hobbies
• Extended family & friends
• Personal growth

Now, take each of these areas and quickly (using your ‘gut feeling’ or ‘intuition’) score yourself a mark out of 10, where 0 = awful or non-existent, and 10 = wonderful, perfect.  Do this now!

Ok, now you have your scores, choose the three areas where you have scored lowest and critically assess what’s missing from these areas, what you could do better and what it would take to improve on the score you’ve just awarded yourself.  Do this for the three areas.

Finally, having articulated or “visualised” what the improvements would look like, write down at least five actions you could take (both quick actions and longer term ‘projects’) to bring about the improvements you’ve identified.

Congratulations, you have now created a clearer picture of your desired future state, prepared to create more balance in your life and set out a plan to draw you closer to the things you desire in your life!

The second method worth trying is to quietly sit, eyes closed, breathing evenly.  Deliberately allow yourself to relax (but don’t fall asleep!).  Once you’re feeling relaxed, quietly ask yourself the question: ‘what do I want my future to look like?’ or ‘what do I want my life to look like a year from now?’.  Allow your mind to wander, don’t direct your thoughts.  Whilst at first there will probably be a number of different thoughts vying for attention, eventually your mind will ‘settle’ on one or two things by repeatedly coming back to them.  Pay attention to these thoughts without directing them and accept the path they are offering you.

When you are ready, open your eyes and come back to reality.

Now, using the technique described above for the first method, assess what you would need to do to create the reality your subconscious has shown to you and then set out a list of actions (long and short term) to enable you to progress towards this outcome.

For both methods you will need to take action!

For part (b) of the dilemma: we lack the drive and inspiration to make progress now to ensure the foundations are established, we’re back to the age old problem of motivation!  Hopefully, just going through the process of identifying something you want and then putting some actions (plans) down on paper has increased your level of motivation anyway so that you are ready to get going.

If not, then you really need to question why your goals are not interesting enough to get you on your feet and moving.  (Maybe they’re not really your goals, just others’ expectations of you; maybe you don’t believe you can achieve your goals etc…check out this post for help in this area.)

Hopefully though you are ready to get moving, so do it, take action on the first step that supports your plans!

So, these basic methods coupled with consistent action will sow the seeds for a future that’s more inline with the kind of future you would like.  Bear in mind however that you may need to review your plans periodically to ensure that your actions are still aligned with your desired direction since, as you make changes (ie, take action) other things around you will change too which could knock you off course.  So, take any corrective action necessary and then keep moving.

Finally, as you progress you may lose some of your initial enthusiasm and momentum.  This is natural and happens to us all.  When this happens remind yourself by going back to your original scores and plans about why you’re working towards your goal.  You could also check out this post for some motivation tips.  In any event, just keep moving forward, even slow progress is much better than no progress and take heart in the fact that your motivation will vary over time, but work with this knowledge and push through (with smaller actions) on days when your motivation is at its lowest.  You can do this!

I hope this post helps those of you struggling to really identify your goals, try the methods indicated and let me know how you do in the comments!

Photo: lululemon athletica