Think2Perform

Stepping Back to Throw Off Discouragement in the Goal Achievement Process

What we think about ourselves truly matters and can be the differentiator in allowing us to achieve our life and work goals. That statement, of course, is not revolutionary. But applying it to our psyche consistently is not always easy.

Life’s anxiety and stress can be overwhelming sometimes, especially when we start thinking of possibly not doing our best or even failing to achieve personal or professional goals.

By stepping back and thinking through the goal we are setting for ourselves, we can position ourselves to achieve it. If we don’t attain it at first or make a mistake or two, that’s OK, but we need to give 100 percent effort to try and not quit.

This is where our Five Profoundly Simple Steps to Goal Achievement can help us climb that hill. We need to:

• Have a goal
• Have a plan
• Implement the plan
• Control direction 
• Throw of Discouragement 

It is one thing to have a goal and a plan but a key differentiator to accomplishing your goal is throwing off discouragement. It is especially important to remaining resilient, and not letting stress and anxiety get the better of us. By throwing off discouragement we can position ourselves for success.

Thomas Edison had the goal to create an electric light bulb. He failed more than 100 times. Did he say along the way that he was never going to achieve the goal? Maybe. But more importantly, he stepped back and tried a myriad of ways to make it work. And guess what? His persistence and perseverance allowed him to succeed.

All of us, too, set our own unique life goals. My terrific colleague Jim Jensen wrote a blog a few weeks ago about setting realistic goals. I believe if you step back and think through what you truly want, any of us can set a goal that is achievable and real.

As I get older, for example, one of my main life goals is to continue to walk and stay independent despite my body wearing out because of my lifelong physical disability. I realize I won’t be able to walk independently in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt as I once did, or shoot a 67 when I was nearly a scratch golfer in my early 20s. But I can set a realistic goal of independently walking to my car, being able to climb steps using a handrail and humbly inspire people that I never give up.

One of the best resources to be able to step back and throw off discouragement is really using our “freeze game” in the moment to stay on track and become more self aware. I step back or “freeze” and ask myself:

• What are you thinking?
• How are you feeling?
• What are you doing?

This helps me understand myself now that I am in my mid-50s and striving to attain a realistic goal. I may trip up figuratively or literally – I fell walking to a restaurant the other night – but I will never abandon my goal.

All of us can do this. By integrating the “freeze game” into your goal achievement process. You’ll find a calming influence where you can think more clearly instead of just reacting. It also may help throw off some discouragement that all of us can feel along the journey. Let us know if the game works for you in your personal or professional life.

If you or your firm need help setting goals that drive best achieving goals, Think2Perform can assist.  Please feel free to contact us at think2perform.com.