Motivation and Goal Setting for the Average Guy
Finding the Motivation to Reach for Success and Achievement
Jun 29, 2009
The idea of setting goals is a tedious prospect for some. Others feel that putting down what they want is not worth the effort as their goals never seem to materialize the way they expect. Something always gets in the way, the detours distract the mind and the everyday cares of daily life simply don't seem to make it worthwhile.
Motivation wanes when achievement seems too far off for the effort required to get there. Life is filled with problems. The daily grind takes away the focus on a long term goal much too easily.
So how can the average man and woman stay motivated and reach for the stars?
Review the Motivation for Goals
There are reasons why anyone wants to accomplish something in life. More wealth, fame, a financially free lifestyle are admirable goals to shoot for, but they are empty desires in the minds of many people.
There is no real reason why anyone wants a million dollars. Making money for the sake of making money is not reason enough. If the reason is to improve the standard of living for the family and secure a solid future for the children, then there is a reason to strive toward a goal. Reviewing the reasons needs to be done periodically.
Setting Short Term Goals
Many goals seem so distant that motivation dwindles quickly. The best policy is to set short term, achievable goals, preferably daily goals that steadily moves toward the ultimate goal. That requires planning. It's necessary to look at the steps that need to be accomplished that lead to the objective. It's knowing that something has been accomplished at the end of every day that helps keep motivation going.
Reset The Vision
Daily life is a grind. Distractions are everywhere. It will be necessary to make some course corrections from time to time. Many people find comfort in drifting through life. After years they discover that their goals are as further off as when they started to strive for them.
When man was shooting for the moon, the Apollo spacecraft had to make several course corrections to get to the moon. Life is no different. If the goal is important enough, it's important enough to take time to analyze the direction and keep steering toward it.
Measure the Progress of Reaching Goals
Motivation comes from achieving. Have daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals been reached? If not, then something needs to be corrected. Measuring has the effect of presenting the challenge to do better next time. It improves character and develops patience.
Take Time Out When Working Toward Goals
No one can work 24 hours a day. Rest and relaxation are necessary to recharge the motivational batteries. Sometimes it's necessary for some re-education in an area that is important. Without that knowledge, the goal might not be achievable. Taking time out is not a waste of time. It ensures that the objective can be reached much sooner than anticipated.
Stay Positive When Moving Toward Goals
The world is filled with negatives. Very seldom is there anything uplifting on the news. From the daily news to the well-meaning put-downs from friends, it's easy to get discouraged that lofty ideas can't be reached and shouldn't be attempted.
With all the negative programming, it's necessary to keep a positive attitude to keep the ultimate goal in mind. Listening to inspiring audios from motivational speakers like Jim Rohn or Denis Waitley can keep the desire to achieve fresh. Reading biographies can help to realize that the accomplishments of a Mother Teresa or Nelson Mandela were achieved through a great deal of effort and even persecution.
Goal setting and achievement is not the exclusive domain of a gifted few. Anyone, whether a lowly janitor or a housewife can achieve great things. No one needs to reach the level of a superstar to find value to life. Goals don't have to be recognized by an adoring public to be worthwhile. The purpose to reaching a goal is through gaining the satisfaction of having made something valuable from living.
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