If you get what I’m about to share with you, the world is yours and you will achieve every goal you ever set.
When I first began setting and pursuing goals, I repeatedly failed to reach them. As I began studying the issues, I realized that I lacked purpose and belief. Without purpose, I faded when things got tough or got distracted by something shiny. There wasn’t a strong reason for pursuit of the goal so my staying power was weak and misdirection was easy.
When purpose guides your actions, all the other junk falls away. You become focused, driven, efficient, and resilient. A strong purpose is crucial to overcoming adversity and prospering through any experience.
How can something as simple as purpose make that big of a difference? The same way something as simple as a compass can guide sailors across an ocean. It provides an internal guide that stays true no matter what is happening on the outside.
If a storm covers the stars and brings 50-foot waves up to block your view, grab the wheel and steer by the compass. When the storm subsides, and it always does, you’re still on course and farther along. In the meantime, all of those that set out without a compass crash against rocks or are scrambling in a panic to figure out where they are.
One other thing. Purpose is different from goals or strategy. Where goals and strategy are carried out and accomplished, purpose is ongoing. Instead of accomplishing your purpose, you fulfill it. Purpose transcends goals and you’ll find that you can carry purpose from one goal to another. Watch for that distinction.
You’ve turned your resolution into a goal and began developing a vision around that goal. Now let’s plug it in and determine why the goal matters in the first place.
The Purpose of Your Goal
Let’s start with a simple statement about your goal. We’ll call it…your Goal Statement (I made that up myself). It goes like this:
“I want to accomplish (your goal) so that _________.”
Easy enough, right? Now let’s go 5 Deep. Five different times I want you to ask and answer the question, “Why is that important to me?” For example.
“I want to lose 20 pounds.”
#1 “Why is that important to me?”
“Because I want to feel better about myself.”
#2 “Why is that important to me?”
“If I feel better about myself, I’ll have more confidence and be more effective in life.”
#3 “Why is that important to me?”
“If I’m more confident and effective, I’ll be a better example for my kids.”
#4 “Why is that important to me?”
“Being the best example I can for my kids means I’m giving them the best advantage I can in life.”
#5 “Why is that important to me?”
“Seeing their lives flourish because of my example means I’ve used the gifts I’ve been given to their fullest.”
Can you see how the reason is deeper and more intense each time? Am I more likely to stick with my goal if I’m concentrating on “losing 20 pounds” or “ seeing the lives of my children flourish because of my example”?
So now it’s your turn. Fill in the blanks and really dig deep.
“I want to ______________________________ so that ________________________.”
Make sure that your final answer is powerful enough to drive you. The bigger the goal, the bigger the emotional response should be. It’s also important to know, you may get into this exercise and realize that your original goal really isn’t very important to you. Or at least it isn’t important the way it was originally written.
It’s okay. Take what you’ve learned and adjust or change the goal. No rule against being more effective and pursuing something that means more to you. In fact, that’s the whole point.
What is my goal:
Why is it important to me:
You are already closer to achieving your goal than ever before just by doing this little bit of work. If you’re ready, we’ll deepen the work next time and make this baby sing!
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PJ McClure helps aspiring entrepreneurs to multi-million dollar business owners destroy roadblocks and seize opportunities to achieve their ideal vision of success. He is an award-winning speaker and the best-selling author of Flip the SWITCH: How to Turn On and Turn Up Your Mindset and Unlock Your Life: How to go beyond Time-Management to the Life of Your Dreams. You can download a copy of Flip the SWITCH for Free by clicking here.
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