How to Successfully Achieve Big Goals Without The Usual Struggle

Don't stay stuck when you could just as easily achieve big goals!  You’ll soon see yourself achieving your exciting goal through easy action steps when you experience the "magic" infused into this goal-achieving formula. 

Who doesn't love talking about their own success?  

Recently, I had the honor of being a featured speaker at a 2-day employee event. The topic they chose for their regional sales team was on How to Successfully Achieve Big Goals. 

What's the goal in your mind?

Around the room when I asked this question, people said they wanted to lose weight, quit smoking, join the million-dollar sales club, etc.  

As I started demonstrating a simple 3-step framework to achieving big goals, I prompted them to be more and more specific, to the point where they could see themselves achieving the goal. I asked them to be able to describe what it looks like, feels like, and other details in the present tense.  We were having fun.  They started imagining themselves achieving goals and sharing with the people at their tables. I mean, who doesn’t love talking about their own dreams for success, right?

One attendee remembered a suit he could wear 20 pounds ago, so he described how amazing he would feel to be wearing that suit again, and he shared how he pictured himself on a date with his wife at a local restaurant.  

Then I asked them to identify specific actions they will complete to achieve the goal. 

The energy in the room had shifted. They got quiet and I could see some of them were struggling.  I told them, “This is normal, it’s OK” and I suggested breaking the goal down into smaller chunks and even smaller to-do tasks. 

Initially, most people get stuck on how to set a specific enough goal and break it down into action steps.

For most people it feels hard because it takes some focus.  However, it is ridiculously EASY to do with just a bit of guidance and it has a huge payoff (success!).  Yet without a guided process or some pushing and prompting from someone like me, it is unlikely to happen.  

Unfortunately skipping this step almost guarantees failure... 

So let's make it easier.

One of the employees asked for my help in breaking down her goal (to quit smoking) so she wouldn’t be too overwhelmed and cave to the pressure.  She wisely set a 90-day milestone of reducing her smoking.  I asked her a few questions to help her articulate what she wanted, and she realized she could go from a pack a day to less than half that by decreasing her daily cigarettes by just one each week.  This felt very reasonable instead of the overwhelming idea of quitting entirely.  Plus, she will have more confidence to take the next step once she’s been successful hitting this milestone!   

If you’ve been struggling with a goal, don’t stay stuck.  

My recommendation is to grab a notebook, your favorite beverage, and take about an hour by yourself to explore how you can use this to map out your success for a big goal!

Step 1.  Select Your Goal:

Decide on the right goal for you, and give it enough meaning to make it exciting (use the SMART framework to ensure it’s Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound).

Step 2. See Yourself as Successful:

Write out a goal statement which describes plenty of details about what it’s like once you already achieved the goal (ideally this is in present tense and positive).  

To reinforce the benefits of this step, imagine yourself achieving the goal every day and enjoying the positive ripple effects in your life.  

Note: If fear-based behaviors are holding you back, read this, try a technique like EFT Tapping or work with a professional coach or therapist to address them.  Don’t let fear stop you from living!

Step 3. Break It Into Tiny Actions:

Identify action steps to achieving the goal by brainstorming milestones or sub goals first. Continue breaking these down into to-do items and tiny actions you’ll complete as part of your  weekly plan.  Yes, I mean TINY. When the tasks are small enough to feel “easy” they are more likely to be completed (instead of procrastinated).  

Most people miss the magic of this step because their “to-do items” aren’t small enough to spark action (especially when we’re busy or tired, a task that feels too big or unclear gets pushed while we naturally seek something easier).

Woo-hoo!! I can’t wait for you to achieve that goal! 

Goal Achieving (even BHAGs!) doesn’t have to be hard with the little bit of magic in the 3 steps.  With just one hour of planning, there can be an ROI of millions of dollars or many more years of enjoying life with your family.

Now’s your chance to clear away the anxiety and pressure with a different approach to goal achieving!  This formula is more effective because you’ll be completing realistic tasks which add up to tangible progress.  In addition, this process helps to boost your confidence and shift your self-image, which makes your success sustainable.  

Want some guidance and accountability on your journey to goal achieving?  I can help. Let’s talk!

How will you apply this?  Let me know in the comments!

Will you commit to trying it this week, or share with someone else who needs it?

Here's to your success,