Most of us made resolutions and set goals in January. But, sadly, many will never realize those objectives.
Let’s face it – setting goals is easy. And it’s just as easy to quickly become distracted, discouraged, and derailed. When that happens, most people give up or change direction.
It doesn’t have to be that way. As we move into the second half of the year, there is one secret that could energize your vision and give you momentum.
What could happen in your life and work if you could achieve your goals this year?
An executive coach once told me – Specificity produces a higher level of accountability. And accountability yields more consistent results.
What he was saying was – If you’re working yourself to death and still not getting the results that you anticipated, then you’re not being specific enough. I provide more detail and explain how to do this in my article, Get Better Results.
Be Specific
To get better results, you need to get more specific. Get more specific with what you want to accomplish. Get more specific with when you want to accomplish it. Get more specific with how you’re going to do it. Get more specific about the help you need. Get more specific with who you need help from.
Break the project into smaller very specific tasks. Block out specific time on your calendar. Whatever the project is – GET MORE SPECIFIC!
When you do, you’ll reach your goals more consistently. And you’ll experience greater productivity and efficiency!
I use this principle on a daily basis – it’s become a habit! When I’m not getting the results I desire, I ask, How can I get more specific? When a team member is struggling to get momentum, we look at how we can get more specific. When we get more specific, we ALWAYS get better results!
So, what is it that you need to get more specific about today?
What area of your life or work have you not been able get the results you desire – the results that you know are possible?
Whatever your goal – whether it’s personal or professional – you can make the change today to have the life you want tomorrow.
Being unable to sleep for a couple of days and crying out loud and clear that I am not fulfilling my purpose. I have had an unsettling in my spirit about how can I tackle such a task. My desire is not one more year of f fail tries and tries again. After reading this material it all seem so YESSSSSSSSSSSS that’s it, and I’m encouraged that this time I can do it. Funny how some time all you need is just ONE WORD, SPECIFIC!!!!! thanks it’s been a game changer.
Great to hear. Let me know as you make progress.
Today reading “What on Earth Am I Here for?” by Rick Warren and it makes me wonder bout how many things that are goals that should not be goals. So what holds me back to a lot of long term planning that – while sounds good on the surface – actually drops my focus from the present. Trying to focus less on where I want me to go (my plans) and focus more on what am I being called to do. If I would just get out of the way.
Great thoughts my friend! It’s hard to remain in the present when planning, especially for things we are passionate about. I love the statement, “Trying to focus less on where I want me to go (my plans) and focus more on what am I being called to do.”
In leadership roles, we can get so caught up in strategic and big-picture thinking that we can lose sight of those important, specific details that help us create momentum and achieve our goals. Great reminder. Thanks!
Thanks Ruth! Enjoy your day!
With my schedule growing even more demanding, I began to notice a trend of missing goal deadlines. I quickly realized the need to become obsessively specific with not only the goal itself, but the who, what, where, when, and why. Also, breaking down a goal into more granular, bite-size mini goals is beginning to pay off.
Good thought – getting more specific helps reduce the challenge to manageable tasks.
One of my goals this year was to write and release a book about track & field. This goal was achieved in April when my book On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field went public. I would like to follow it up with another book project before the end of the year.
Great work! Love that you’ve been able to get momentum toward the next project.