Tis the time of year where we're all looking back, at what we’ve been able to accomplish, and allllllll the things that we weren’t able to hit the target on. And we judge.
We judge how far we "should" have been by now. We judge how we did or didn’t do it. We perhaps look at others and see what they were able to achieve. And we judge if we are on the right path at all.
Then we deliberate.
We eventually pick ourselves back up. We prioritize. Re-prioritize. Often in the shadow of fear or scarcity. And we sit down to write out our goals, our intentions, our hopes and dreams and smack the word RESOLUTION on to it. As if that’s going to ‘make it be’ done in the next year!
Some of us plan, some of us mind map, some of us meditate, and some of us create concrete measurable goals using the S.M.A.R.T method. Which is a wonderful method (aka Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time based).. BUT it’s missing something vastly important...
Important for its viability.
Important for the continued motivation to stay consistent in the actions needed to achieve those goals.
The asking of ...
How does it feel?
And then asking yourself...
And does it support you in feeling how you most want to feel?
The answers to these questions are probably the #1 best thing you could figure out for yourself.
We’ve all heard the phrase “Know Your Why,” which is a part of this missing element. Because, IF you know your deeper reason behind your goal, then you will know whether or not if the obtaining AND acquiring of that goal will support you in a way that feeds your excitement. Or not.
So, I’ve come up with a new way to create goals. One where we can still break down and measure, but also feed the soul and create momentum while we do so.
Introducing S.P.A.R.K.E.D.
We all need that ignition to get us going. And why not our goals BE the spark that creates our internal fire to achieve, not another ideal for self punishment.
Try these steps on for size and see what kind of goals come to the surface as you work your way through. You might just be surprised at the new direction you are taking AND being all the more happier for it.
SPECIFIC:
Yep, we still need to be specific in what it is we are aiming to achieve. Be as specific as you can in what exactly you are going after. What are you looking to create in your life and perhaps in the lives of others to better your world and/or theirs?
Instead of saying I want to create the rainbow of colors. Maybe think of saying you want to create a certain color of yellow. Narrow it down so you can easily wrap your mind around what it is you are looking to achieve. Because if it’s too complicated, you won’t be able to believe it’s doable.
PASSIONATE:
It needs to spark some passion in you! Excitement. Something you hold near and dear to you. Something you would gladly stand firm to making be a reality. Especially on those difficult days.
Without this kind of passion behind your goal, how can it stand the test of the time? How can you overcome the obstacles to make it reality?
This is YOUR goal, no one else’s, so make it for you. It doesn’t need to be a badge of proof for anyone else. But it DOES need to be something that will help lift you up, support you in feeling GOOD in your life and/or your business.
ATTAINABLE:
Do you believe you can do this? Do you believe you can make this idea be a real thing out in the world? If not, perhaps an adjustment is necessary to make it be something you can completely believe in.
Because without the belief you can make it happen, you will never get past the starting line.
RELEVANT:
Is this goal relevant to you and your life right NOW? Where you are in this moment? Will it help propel you forward into the kind of life you want and desire?
If the answer is no, then a redo is in order.
Make your goal something you know will launch you forward, towards the kind of life you’ve always wanted. Not just a goal that keeps you where you have been for possibly years.
And let it be FUN in relation to the vision you have for yourself. In both the getting of the goal AND in the achieving of the goal.
KNOW YOUR WHY:
Knowing the reason(s) behind the goal is the 2nd best thing to figure out when it comes to the goals you are setting. What's the purpose? What's the belief around it?
It comes after figuring out how you want to feel. The 'why' is the idea of how it will help you feel that way.
Once we know the why, we now have a compass for what actions to take or not to take. This is a critical knowing that will make life all the more in-flow, AND easy!
So get crystal clear in your reasons behind your goal, and make sure they MOVE you. Write out a list.
A simple review of your reasons should be enough to help you move that next step you know you need to take.
EVOLVE:
Your goal needs to allow you room to grow. We all intuitively know this. We set goals that make us reach, that challenge us. But we also need that growth to be fun as we’re doing it. Exciting would be even better!
So yes, set yourself up for a challenge, but a challenge that will bring more joy into your life. Not just more crushing and pounding of reasons why you "aren't good enough.”
Allow yourself to evolve from a state of loving life to the fullest! And ask yourself - what would that look like for me?
DATED:
Yes, by all means we need to slap a date on that target. Otherwise we can allow ourselves to be stuck in the envisioning of it forever, never taking the actions needed to make it become a reality.
Because it’s in knowing what our own due date is that we can now work backwards.
This allows us to break it down into bite sized and even mini bites or actions we need to take to make it happen. And THAT’s where all the magic happens. It’s in the daily actions, no matter how small, towards the goal we envisioned for ourselves. That’s how even the biggest of goals gets checked off as DONE.
By going through these 7 steps, asking ourselves about our goals in these 7 different ways, that we will be able to feel SPARKED in a whole new way for the coming year. And if you did it right, it very well could be the start of a whole different kind of year for you.
One in which your passion and momentum ignite in a whole new way. Who knew goals could be so much FUN!
Did you enjoy this post? Did you discover a whole new goal that you are now excited and over the moon about? I would LOVE to hear about it and how this process helped shift the experience of what goal setting has been for you.
So don’t be a stranger! Hop on over to my FB page and introduce yourself and your NEW & Improved FUN goal!
To your Joy as you work,
Mel
