Sunday, January 10, 2010

Breaking Free - Achieving Your Goals

Don't just SET goals, ACHIEVE them!

goal achievementSo many people have given up on goal setting. It doesn't seem to work for them. Even "goal-oriented" people are often frustrated by their goals. But for years, the gurus have told you things like:

  • "Set S.M.A.R.T. goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely). It's a sure-fire way to achieve them."
  • "Put pictures of your dream house, your dream car, your dream job all over your bathroom mirror and places where you'll see them every day."

Here's the problem with some of these techniques... they have created an epidemic of people who are unfulfilled, frustrated and dissatisfied with their own performance and success. Goals are supposed to motivate and inspire you, not make you feel hopeless, helpless or like a failure.

You are Brilliant! (Yes, I'm talking to YOU)

Aspire! by Kevin HallI'm reading a great book called Aspire! Discovering Your Purpose Through the Power of Words. I recommend it to everyone reading this newsletter. (Click here to purchase it on Amazon.) In this book, it talks about the word "genius". Did you know that you were a genius? YOU ARE!! The word genius comes from the Latin word "genuinus" which means what you were naturally born with. The orignial word meant "guardian deity or spirit which watches over each person from birth; spirit, incarnation, wit, talent". Genius is nothing more than being true to YOU. It's about being genuine and true to your natural talents. It's about unleashing your brilliance.

Why the frustration?

But, when we set goals, we usually do it backwards. (No wonder it's frustrating!) The vast majority of the gurus assume there is no real difference between skills (which can be acquired) and talents or natural strengths (which you are gifted with at birth). Many gurus think that natural talents can be developed through learning, training, and discipline. They fail to appreciate and acknowledge what neuroscience tells us - YOU are born with fixed, deeply-ingrained neural pathways and networks that control your natural talents. When you fail to see the difference between natural talents and learned skills, you make the bad assumption that both can be equally acquired.

Read more by clicking here.