R - Reasons

The 2nd Step to Accomplishing Your Goals

GOALS - REASONS - EXPECTATIONS - ACTIONS - TRACKING

Writing down goals is never enough to accomplish them. Just look at all of the New Year’s resolutions set across the world every year. Usually, they’re the same ones that weren’t accomplished the year before. Most people get pretty excited about listing their resolutions.

So why is it that they stop trying to accomplish them in less than two weeks?

Most workout programs focus only on the goals – lose 20 pounds. They leave out “why” they need to lose the weight and people soon fall off track.

A goal can easily be abandoned if strong reasons for its achievement are not attached to them. Let’s look at one of those resolutions: getting in shape. The sale of gym memberships, workout gear, and fitness books explodes during the weeks before and after New Year’s. Many businesses benefit from all of your New Year’s resolutions. When will you?

The strength of your reason determines the level of your success. When people attempt to accomplish goals without reasons that motivate them, they lose focus. Without reasons, your goals will fade away more and more each day. After awhile, it can be difficult to even identify them. Strong reasons will keep your goals crystal clear. Whenever you attempt to accomplish something great, you’ll probably notice that fate has a unique way of putting obstacles in your path. Every time I have set goals, I have encountered a challenge in my life; sometimes, multiple challenges. When tough times come, and they will, you have to have strong reasons to weather the storm.

Gina and I found that merely having a goal was never enough to get us through the challenging times. It was always the reasons behind our goals that provided us with the strength to overcome our obstacles. Transferring your dreams onto paper is like transplanting a tree. If all you do is just move the tree, but you leave the roots behind, the tree won’t last long. Neither will your goals without their reasons!

There are thousands of books about setting and accomplishing goals. But, very few that actually discuss the power of focusing on your “reasons” for achieving your goals. Why you are doing something is always more important than what you are doing. If you don’t have strong reasons, your goals are nothing more than words on a page.

Think GREAT!
© 2010 Erik Therwanger