by chandiniann | Sep 19, 2018 | Interesting Reads
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“Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement”. – Brian Tracy, Eat that Frog
The quote amply explains why having and setting goals are so vital not just for companies but from an individual’s perspective too. There are a plethora of tool and methods currently in practice and a number of tools that claim to help with goal setting. For me, I believe that goal setting is all about personal development and each person must follow the method and apply the tools that will help them grow personally through the achievement of their goals.
I have been around long enough and seen a lot professionally and personally to know that goal setting does not need to be a daunting and intimidating exercise and a few pertinent strides will suffice to help one grow in all aspects of life.
Start at the beginning – that is common sense. Analyse the root-cause that has persuaded you to think about this particular goal. Make a list of the things that you consider to be stumbling blocks to the accomplishment of the goal and pit them against the actions required. For instance, when my doctor told me that I needed to lose weight, the first thing I did was to figure out what I did wrong that contributed to the excess weight. My goal was to get fit and stay healthy rather than following mindless diets that would crash the weight but rob my body of essential nutrients.
With a clear goal in mind, it was much simpler to put down a set of methods and practices that would help me achieve my goal. When the goal is clear and the stepping stones are in place, the chances of success are much higher.
Enlist the help of someone who has had a similar problem and overcome it. This not only helps you stick to your plan to achieve your goal, but also provides you with the necessary support and determination required in attaining what you have set out to do. Such a person will serve as an inspiration, a stimulus and an encouragement – call it what you will – it is crucial to the success of your own personal goal.
The reality however is that no plan or support will help, if you lack focus and steadfastness. The determination of making something happen must come from you – from the deep desire to accomplish your goal. Weave the plan in to your everyday life – make it a habit – we all know that habits are hard to break and therefore easier to stick with.
Goal setting for personal development or professional growth means that you are already committed to make changes in your life for the better. I believe that the achievement of anything is a mind-set – positive and resolute. This perseverance and a single-minded focus will be the cornerstones in the achievement of these goals. Take small steps and as you overcome each one, your confidence will steadily build and each subsequent step will become easier and more achievable as you move along. It’s been working for me!
by chandiniann | Sep 17, 2018 | Interesting Reads
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“When you do what you fear most, then you can do anything.” – Stephen Richards
When I changed my thought process to understanding what I need and want right now rather than what I hoped would happen in the future, I added a new dimension – self-motivation. This term means taking ownership of one’s destiny now and calls for initiative and drive. Self-motivation is the fire that pushes someone forward helping to get closer to their personal and professional goals. A lack of self-motivation, in my opinion, would sound the death knell on progress and the achievement of anything and relegate the person into nothingness and maybe even abject failure.
Self-motivation is more than just a skill – it is difference between moving forward and hitting a plateau that will interfere with every aspect of the person’s life. It is a life sustaining attribute then. Self-motivation pushes us mentally even if we may feel physically spent and tired. It is proven that people who have strong urges and drive, will be more passionate, organized and have the zest to get more done in a shorter period of time. This leads to higher and sustained levels of self-confidence and enhanced personal esteem. Do you understand your self-motivation?
Why is self-motivation so important?
Self-motivation works as an elixir for life. It helps you accept and take on challenges and struggles head on, safe in the knowledge that you will be able to tide over.
– It keeps you focused and also provides new ‘leads’ and direction to your life. You feel more in control and are able to plan ahead with more ease. Life’s difficulties become a given and yet are unable to deter you from your chosen path.
– Self-motivation lends eagerness and interest in everything you undertake. Be it cooking up a tasty meal or completing an important project – self-motivation will let you go at it with gusto.
– When you are able to complete whatever you undertake with a high degree of excellence, you feel satiated and fulfilled. This feeling is probably incomparable to any other.
– Self-motivation empowers you not just in the face of tough times but also tough people and their barricaded thought processes. It keeps you positive despite negativity that may surround you thereby ensuring that your mind remains balanced and focused only on what you have set out to achieve. Over time, sustained use and understanding of self-motivation becomes your trademark and a robust habit.
Self-motivation is like fuel, the more you use it the faster you will move towards your chosen destination. Each person needs to have some kind of motivation – for some it is achievement or affiliation, others thrive on competing and power and yet others are motivated by reward or fear. The desire to attain a goal and advance in life is achievement motivation, being liked and to build cooperation with like-minded groups is another kind of self-motivation known as motivation through affiliation. For some others being ahead of others while competing, being masters of their chosen field and being known as leaders are motivating factors and is known as competence motivation. Yet others are motivated when they are in positions of power and influence – able to control others and bring about changes while taking calculated risks – this is power motivation. Some people are motivated when the situation answers the question “what’s in it for me”? Awards and rewards drive such people and this is motivation by incentive. Fear is another great motivator – it pushes people to doing things instantly and speedily. However, this kind of motivation is not long-term, since people eventually learn how to deal with their fears.
Self-motivation as an attribute may seem like common sense but the reality is that motivation changes depending on the situation and a person’s needs and wants. A clear understanding of what will drive and motivate you is the key to moving ahead and overcoming your own biases and the prejudices of others.
