Do you have a goal to fulfill, a dream to reach, or a vision you want to become reality?
The more focused your life is, the more impact it will have and the more success you will have in reaching your goals. Once you decide to focus your life, what specifically do you do next? Where do you begin in fulfilling that dream?
We talked about step one which is to determine your present position: Where am I now?
The second step in getting where you want to be is to describe exactly what you want.
Vague goals are never accomplished. When you are specific, you figure out not only what you want but also what you don’t want. Ask yourself: What do I want to be or do or have? Why do I want it?
Don’t ask how. We’re always so concerned about the how. How am I going to do it? How am I going to pay for it? How am I going to find the time?
In life, never confuse the decision-making phase with the problem-solving phase. Most people try to solve all the problems before they set their goal. Bad idea. If you try to solve every problem first, you’ll never move forward.
You need to ask why first, not how.
Knowing what is not enough. You can set all kinds of goals, but if you don’t know the why, you’re never going to achieve them. The why keeps you from giving up when times get tough.
Once you’ve clarify what you want to be or do or have in life or what you’d like to change, then take the time to figure out why you want it. And be specific.
Let’s put this into practice:
- Have you ever chased a vague goal? (Maybe you said, “I’d like to get healthier” or “I’d like to save more money.”) How did that turn out for you?
- Have you ever chased a specific goal? (Following the example above, maybe you said, “I want to exercise five days a week and lose 10 pounds over the next two months” or “I’d like to save $100 extra per month.”) How did that turn out for you?
- Think of the goal or dream you have in mind right now. What is your why for accomplishing that goal or dream?
Excerpt taken from Daily Hope by Rick Warren.