4 NEW GOALS

A local cutting-edge magazine wanted me to analyze the Resolutions of four people. The goals were expresed as these:
1) Pass the Bar examine
2) Learn Italian
3) Refuse to make one because I don't want to fail
4) Graduate college
Some people call them "New Year's Resolutions." Let's look at them as typical new goals. Break them down this way: Goal/Motive/Plan.

Pass the Bar after investing $100,000 and three years........With this type of "advancement" goal you have to visualize the big picture. See it. Feel it. Make it your movie. Taste the success. Smell the $$$. Ask yourself "How will passing the Bar benefit me and others? Be honest. Write down how you will contribute. Find out how you learn best. Are you tactile (flash cards around your room), visual (a class) or auditory (CDs in your car). Study using your strongest modality.

Learn Italian so I'll be ready when I go someday........Too broad of a goal. The "someday" weakens the purpose. The chances of accomplishing this goal have already been diminished. If we do not have many reasons to act on something, the action can break down over time. Reframe this way: Learn Italian because it can lead to learning other languages and more international travel, which I love.

Graduate college because I don't want to be here forever..........Better to reframe into a positive statement by just dropping the second part. To accomplish this type of goal don't overload your classes or assignments because of outside pressures. Keep in mind why you want to accomplish this goal--For the grand party after? Because your big sister didn't? To feel proud of yourself? You're ready to start the career you've always dreamed of? Put your reasons on wall and look at them everyday. Lose outside distractions and maintain focus. Be a "student," one who is an attentive observer.

Don't want to make one so I don't fail again..........Nothing happens without action. And, we are the sum of our actions. Not acting for fear of failure is a safe, secure limiting belief. Do you know what "security" is? Security is the person who guards the corndogs at 2am at the Quickie Mart. Pick something you can accomplish NOW; ONE HOUR FROM NOW; NEXT WEEK. Do these things, that's your resolution! Good job! That's the path to success.

Email: athletewhisperer@gmail.com