Goal Setting

In time for the resolutions to be tapering off

I’m looking at a note in my phone about goals as I smell the coffee in my favourite café. This was from nearly 6 years ago, and I’m not sure if this was from a book or a program I took. It looks like a bunch of golden nuggets and most people don’t know how to set realistic goals, or how to stay disciplined enough to keep the goal the goal, so I hope these dozen nuggets find you well wherever you are in your own goals program.

1. A quick story about how I was a lumberjack in the Sahara Desert. I did my job well. Next. Okay but really, sometimes goals or jobs revolve around making certain things unnecessary. If your job is to rid the city of homeless individuals, if you did your job to 100% completion you would be out of a job. There may almost be inherent incentive to not try TOO hard so you still have a job. I cut down those trees so well, they shipped me off to Canada.

2. Contrary to popular doctrine, being happy is multi-factorial. Being happy might be most heavily weighted to WHO you are. It certainly means the most to those around you (usually). Your happiness may also hinge on what you do especially when it gives you purpose, and happiness can also be things you have. Most people think of material things when they think of ‘what you have’, but this could also be relationally. Mind you, having a great spouse also largely hinges on who you are, and probably what you do for the relationship as well. Ultimate intertwined-ness. That’s a work by the way, Lovely. P.s- You don’t ALWAYS have to be ecstatic. All sunshine leaves a desert, but I swear, the sahara is a desert because of my lumberjack skills, not the relentless sun. Definitely.

3. Planes rust out faster while being grounded and un-used. Same with ships that are never sent out to sea. Same as the human body stuck in a chair. Same as goals left unmade because the imminent failure guaranteed with no goals set is worse than risking making them and the goals being unmet. Mess around and find out, do hard things.

4. How you think determines what you do. Golfers who are usually +30 on a round will inevitably choke at the end of the round if they are only +20. You will live into the reality you create in your mind. If you don’t expect much from yourself, you'll get exactly that. Believe in better.

5. Serotonin, the feel good mood regulator usually peaks around 10am. Want it earlier? Do something kind, listen to something inspiring, workout, and probably skip coffee until 90-120 minutes after waking. A strong start to the day sets the tone.

6. A study showed people who had goals averaged $7401 income per month, had a better family life, improved health, and felt an overall better balance in life. The no goals group averaged an average income of $3397 monthly. Speaks for itself.

7. Quick fixes don’t work, at least not long-term and with no negative consequences. Those “lose fat fast in 4 weeks” programs typically result in the only thing being lost being 4 weeks.

8. People are more often to make impulse purchases or book vacations when they are not in a happy state. The idea is if I buy myself these beautiful Vuori joggers I will feel better. Well, when you get something or go somewhere you still are who you are. This isn’t to say don’t buy things or don’t go places, it is to say don’t do it and expect to be happier.

9. A secure individual will never feel insecure from an insecure person. Know who you are, and know that someone can not MAKE you feel a certain way. Make it a goal to stay level even in the face of adversity or ridicule.

10. Applause of a single person is of great consequence. Don’t make goals that just impress one at a superficial level. Do the right thing. What’s the right thing? It likely looks like benefitting the most people, with minimal consequence, while not being self-serving. At least. Finding a faith is the ultimate start to finding the objective truth.

11. An immigrant is 4 times more likely to become a millionaire than a native born person. They take a job as an opportunity. Not an opportunity and make it a job. Don’t just get by. Be great

12. I said a dozen right, here is where you make your own. Don’t just close this thinking it’s trivial. You’re smart. Really. Create your own 12th guideline to setting a great goal.