Want to Achieve Your Goals? Understand This Principle!
Very few people would argue against the value of goal setting. It’s also no secret that many people fail to achieve goals they set for themselves. Failing to reach a goal can happen to anyone, and it is better to try and fail reaching a goal than failing to try at all. The real question becomes, is there a way to improve one’s chances of achieving the goals they set? The answer, yes!
One of the key reasons people fail to achieve their goals is because they set goals without including two critical components: an understanding of the discipline equation and developing a measurable system of achievement. These three components all work together as a symbiotic system of goal realization. The system does not guarantee success, but it can certainly increase one’s chances of success.
Let’s take a quick look at this process.
The Goal
It all starts with the goal. Clearly defining what it is the one wants to achieve. When setting a goal, it is important that there is a real belief that reaching the goal is possible, and that it is internally motivated by the goal setter. It must be something you really want and believe you can do.
The System of Achievement
The system of Achievement is where you determine what needs to be done to achieve the goal. It lays out the overall picture and decides what new habits need to be formed, and what daily actions need to be taken to achieve the goal.
Discipline Equation
Steven Bartlett author of Diary of a CEO provides one of the most concise explanations of the discipline equation process I’ve come across. Bartlett breaks the equation down into this simple formula:
Discipline = The Value of the Goal + The Reward of the Pursuit – The Cost of the Pursuit.
- What is the value, meaning, or benefit of achieving the goal you’ve set for yourself?
- No matter how challenging it may be, do you find the process of pursuing your goal enjoyable and psychologically rewarding? This element is directly connected to the system of achievement.
- Finally, one must also honestly assess if the cost of pursuing the goal is not enjoyable or psychologically rewarding. This determines if one will be able to persist through the challenges encountered in pursuit of the goal.
The discipline equation simply states: if the psychological and emotional cost of pursuing the goal is greater than the enjoyment experienced in the system of achievement, the discipline required to achieve the goal will not be strong enough to make it. The pursuit of the goal will inevitably be abandoned.
The opposite side of the equation of course is if the psychological and emotional value of the goal and system of achievement are greater than the pain experienced in pursuit of the goal, the discipline required to achieve the goal will be strong enough to increase the chances of success.
Growth, success, achievement, whatever term you use requires going through fear, anxiety, doubt, and uncertainty, and moving forward anyway. One of the key reasons people fail to achieve their goals is not taking how much of that they are willing to endure into consideration when setting out to pursue their goals.
Want to increase your chances of success in pursuing your goals? Have a clear picture of what it is. Keep that vision of achieving it in the forefront of your mind.
Develop a systematic process of the daily action steps you’re going to take to reach the goal, and if the psychological and emotional joy of the pursuit is greater than the pain experienced in the process your chances of success will increase exponentially.
It’s time to set a goal, develop the system of achievement, get going and enjoy the process. I believe in you, and if you believe in yourself, there is no stopping you.
Namaste.
Hollis Nelson is one of the innovative and bold leaders at GPOIC. We highlight Hollis today because his passion to train in-spite of the difficult times GPOIC has gone through, he continues to push GPOIC to provide relevant and improved services.
