Last week, I talked about the importance of setting goals.  I bet that many of you still haven’t done anything about it!

So why don’t people set goals? 

Often it’s because they don’t know what they want or they’re afraid of something – setting themselves up for failure, their own success and what that might mean for the status quo. It’s far more comfortable to stay within our comfort zones and drift along.

People will often set goals that are easily achievable.That’s great – to achieve a goal feeds our self esteem. Our sense of self worth grows as we realise that we can accomplish something that we set out minds to. 

But, how many people set their sights too low? What about bigger goals – the BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)? Why do so many people shy away from them? 

When little children announce that they want to win an Olympic goal medal,become an All Black,an astronaut or an inventor, how many adults smile and indulge them and say,  ‘Yes darling, you can be anything that you want’ ?  Yet, if they persist and continue saying that’s what they want into their early teens, many adults will laugh and tell them not to be silly. But why not? Someone will become an Olympian, an All Black, an inventor or an astronaut.  Why not that child?

We limit what we achieve through our thinking.  As the saying goes: If you think that you can, you can.  The opposite also applies– if you think you can’t, then you can’t.

Get over the games that your mind plays.  Break that BHAG into small chunks and make those chunks into smaller goals. Break them down into the smallest chunk that you think you can achieve.  Bite by bite, anyone can eat an elephant.

That saying never really did much for me.  I understood what it meant but I never really embraced it.  Then recently, I resumed exercising after a minor injury and time off.  We were on holiday in a beach settlement with beautiful walks, but all of them involved steep climbs up the cliff sides or hillsides.  When out walking alone one morning, I looked up to the top of a steep hill and the thought ‘oh no’ flashed through my head.  I felt reluctant. But, I knew that the climb was worth it for the fabulous views down the beach and along the coastline. So, I set off – focussing on just the steps ahead of me, not the summit.  By focussing on the immediate steps I had to take and enjoying the moment and my surroundings, I found myself enjoying the walk and also at the top of the hill in no time at all.  I’d reached my destination before I realised it.

So, what’s your hill?  Look to the top and know that’s where you’re headed.  Then take one small step at a time and enjoy those steps.  Don’t worry about the summit – it’s there, waiting for you.

If you need some help, either plotting your path or overcoming your fears, I can help.    I’m running a workshop in Auckland on 20 February to help you with goal setting.  Later in March, I’m running the first of my successful Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway ® workshops. For each workshop, your investment is small – $150 plus GST for the whole day.  Both workshops have been a huge success. So, hurry and book your place!   I also offer personalised 1:1 coaching, if you’d prefer some individual time. Want to know more?  Email me at yvonne@strategicdirection.co.nz, visit the Strategic Direction page on Facebook or call me for more details.

Tags: challenges, climbing to the top of the hill, comfort zone, failure, fear, goal, Goal Setting, opportunities, plan, self esteem, status quo, step by step you can eat an elephant, success

This entry was posted on Tuesday 16th February 2010 and is filed under Goal Setting. Both comments and pings are currently closed.