Starting With the End in Mind
Do It Again and Again – Part 1
Next Level Goal Setting starts with the end in mind. When we began this journey, we knew where we would end up. The reason why is because like with every goal, we started with the end in mind. We knew that once you get this material in your hand that you would begin the process of thinking that way too. Goal setting is simply you imagining what is in store at the end of the task.
One of my favorite pastimes is putting together jigsaw puzzles. I like the ones that are between 500 to 1000 pieces. I would like to do the 5000-piece puzzles but, I don’t have the time to allocate to that and besides my wife hates it when I have those pieces scattered all over the table for days on end. At any rate, the beauty of the puzzles is that you know upfront the outcome you are working towards. Then, piece by piece the puzzle begins to take shape towards that predefined image. The same activity is reflective of how goal setting should be viewed. You have a picture, a goal, and now you must work to put the pieces together that will make the image visible. What puzzles are you currently working towards completing? One of the keys to this process is not only repetition, but patience. Patience is key because some days you will have to step away and when you return your mind can see what it couldn’t see previously. Completing your life’s puzzle will work the same way.
To help you see your puzzles, your goals, in a different light, I leave you with three thoughts.
- Repeat your process.
Notice that I say repeat your process and not the process. There is a process that will work for you and using the tools you’ve gathered on this journey, refine yours. Then repeat the process for everything you do. Your life, just like mine and everyone else’s, is a series of projects, goals, puzzles that must be put together. - Fall in Love with Goal Setting.
Your life is your biggest project or goal, have you. What do you want to accomplish in a lifetime? Fall in love with goal setting in the same way I love putting puzzles together. It might take time, but so much enjoyment comes when you finally place that one piece you previously didn’t see fitting into the picture. That’s what it is like to achieve your goals. Get excited not about completing the picture, but rather place just one more piece. - Put Some Faith in Your Goals.
Beyoncé has a song called, Single Ladies, but it’s known for the phrase, “put a ring on it.” There is something you need to place on your goals, dreams, asportations, and projects. That’s faith. Put some faith on it. Without faith in what you desire to do, the goal is going nowhere. By the way, you don’t need anyone else’s faith to achieve your goals. Your faith is all you need and a small, tiny amount is all it requires. Put some faith on your goals.
Over the next few installments, I will add in more detail to each of these thoughts. 1) Repeat your process. When you find the process that works, work it. Repeat and refine your process so that you can maximize your success. 2) Fall in love with goal setting. I should have said this earlier. Make sure that the goals you have are goals that you love. Love is the key piece to accomplishing great things. Because of love, when you get tired and want to quit, love will kick in and stop you from quitting. 3) Put a little faith on your goals. All you need is a little faith to do big things. Don’t think you need more than what you have, what you have is all you need. With these three thoughts, we will be ready to take goal setting to the next level.
Question: What puzzles in your life are you currently working towards completing?
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