Since I posted 3 Excuses for Failure to Meet Our Goals earlier and now the excuses are out of the way, I thought it a great time to plan steps to reach our goals. If you want to add excuses or view them in the post and comments, click the link above. There is some comfort in knowing others struggle with our same excuses. But for those who are ready to get on with it. Let’s go for it.
Stop Studying and Talking, Start Doing
It’s time to stop studying it, reading about it and talking about it and just go do it! We can overcome our excuses and skip to our goal if we put into practice steps similar to these.
5 Steps to Reach Your Goals
1. Verbalize the goal in specifics.
Where are you going? How are you going to get there? What does it look like when you’ve finished? What has to be done before that can happen? Identify all the aspects of the goal. The paper is blank until we put down our ideas. Get as specific as you can. Just like the assigned paper is blank until the student identifies the ideas that will formulate. Then with hard work it is finished.
2. Visualize yourself taking small steps towards the goal.
What needs to be cut, streamlined and categorized in order to make a step-by-step plan from where you are today to completion? Break the plan down into even smaller steps and identify the first one. Following these baby steps makes the dream goal a reality. Without the discipline to work it, you’ll go nowhere.
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas Edison
So I like the motivation I get from Thomas Edison. Maybe he’d be a good one to pall around with to learn to get things done. He sure did a lot.
3. Find a group of people attempting similar tasks.
Surrounding yourself with other motivated people gives you the regular motivation and accountability you need. A mentor can be awesome, and blessed is the one who finds one, but a regular band of fellows can be as effective. As iron sharpens iron, you become better as ideas and best practices of dedicated people rub off on you.
4. Practice the skills needed without fear of failure.
Perfection isn’t automatic. We have to guess. Do trial runs. Practice. Make decisions. Some will be bad ones. Failure comes with any challenge. It is a sure thing. Success is working through each setback, learning each step of the way.
“Many of life’s failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Thomas Edison
Keep practicing and moving forward with the next step in the plan. Adjust the plan if needed, but keep going.
5. Consider each accomplishment your validation.
Every small step finished is a huge accomplishment. Most people are talkers and not doers. Celebrate. You’ve started doing the hard things that make you successful. Focus and allow your accomplishment to fuel you to do another step towards the goal.
As some have said, “You can’t eat an elephant in one bite.” Let’s start chewing on the bite we have.
What have you got to chew on? What other steps do you used to get things done? How do you celebrate when you complete a small step?
Our “someday” will arrive before we know it!
This post is part of the Insights into Ministry & Leadership Series. If you enjoyed it you may also like the Living and Working on Mission Blog Series, the Spiritual Journey’s Gentle Nudges Series or the other Blog Series.
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*picture from wealthmouli on mylot
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas Edison
So true! I LOVE it! Now, to get to work…
Yeah. Now get to work. Discipline doesn’t come easy, does it?
I remember a good friend of mine telling me once how they had to stop reading how-to blogs, articles and books and just go do it. I was convicted this January that I had to make that as part of my changed priorities. Thank you, Vonda, for showing the way.
Exercising this muscle makes me nervously excited about the tasks again. Let’s go to work.
Excellent advice, Robin. I also love the quote from Thomas Edison
Taking my steps toward the goals, and when I fall or fail, I will keep moving forward!!
Jeanne
Thank you, Jeanne. Let’s brush off our knees and keep at it. May our efforts bring us closer to our mission!
God bless you.
Thank you, again, Robin! This series comes at a season of life when I really need the encouragement and advice, and not just because of the new year. I am so thankful for the Sovereign Hand of a loving Father that orchestrated your writing and my reading so that I could be nudged past the dreaming/praying stage and get into the “making it happen” stage. I am now acutely aware that I need a more detailed plan, but also need to not become mired in the planning. As you said, it’s time to get to work! (Btw, the Edison quote really struck a chord with me, as well.)
Jeanne, we must be in the same “season” where God is trying to move us onward, work smarter and not be shocked by setbacks.
Blessings on your endeavors!
Great advice, Robin. Thank you!
Thank you, Jean.