1.Living Purposefully by Achieving Your Goals in Life,School & Work by Jermaine M. Davis, M.A. & M. Ed. (candidate) |
How many times have you felt alive and excited, ready to accomplish the dream of your life, only to find maybe a month later, or perhaps six months later, you're discouraged, disappointed and stuck? What happened to the dream? Where is the motivation and why do you suddenly feed depressed? For the great majority of us, it's not that we don't desire to accomplish our dreams and goals, we just don't understand why we get sidetracked, and in most cases, completely derailed. Do you believe you have the power to take what is yours? In other words, that as of this moment you have all that you need to accomplish your goals in Life, School and Work? After all, your dream belongs to you , no one else. Why shouldn't you take what is completely and freely yours? Some people might feel taken aback by such admonition, but if I told you that the only thing that is keeping you from your dreams is yourself, what would you say? No one has the power to take your dreams and goals from you, but you possess the keys and techniques to help you actually accomplish them and not just talk about them to friends, relatives and colleagues. There are essentially 9 reasons why people never get ahead in their dreams and goals. You may not fall prey to all 9, but each of us has at one time or another been derailed by most of them. A few of them include: Lack of Knowledge, Lack of Effort, Fear of Failure and Fear of Rejection . All of us, at one time or another, have a lack of knowledge . That does not mean we are ignorant or stupid, we just lack the proper knowledge at the time of need to accomplish the task at hand. The only incorrect reaction to that situation is refusal to learn. Society talks so much about setting and accomplishing goals, but not much is really said about the nuts and bolts of how to go about it. How can you and I actually formulate a plan with specific and tangible steps that will prevent us from failing to reach our goals? It is not only impossible, but also easier than you think if you possess the knowledge of how to set and accomplish a goal. Lack of Effort is another dream stealer. Yes, it does take work to succeed. Talking about your dreams and goals without tenacity is only giving lip service to positive thinking. It doesn't take much effort to fail, but it takes a lot of effort to succeed. Whenever I set about to accomplish a new goal, I make myself practice my own 4 E's to Success : mental Effort , Energy , physical Exertion for the opportunity and Enthusiasm. Some people can talk a big talk about their dreams, when in reality they are only waiting for a free ride. Success takes a tenacious and aggressive amount of effort! Fear of Failure is probably one of the reasons so many of us fail to accomplish goals. No one wants to fail. No one sets out in the morning saying, "I can't wait to really mess up today!" Yet, it is the one deterrent that can grip us the hardest. You must remember, however, that "failure is an event, not a person". We will make mistakes and will have to make adjustments in our plans, but that doesn't define who we are and what we can become. Failure is a teacher. We can learn from it. Get back on the horse! Do you know that not everyone will like everything you do? Scary isn't it? The Fear of Rejection can sidetrack even the most determined of us. Many goals and dreams have gone to the grave with people because they feared being rejected by friends, peers, or even loved ones, for what they wanted to accomplish. There are 5 more reasons why people don't realize their goals. The reasons why we fail are imperative to know and understand, but far more important are the steps we can take to successfully accomplish all of our goals in every area of our lives. It can be done through specific actions and steps that anchor our goals to success. In the psychology of achieving goal, we must reprogram our thoughts to overcome fears and phobias. We must learn how to avoid wasting valuable time (you can't recreate it) and overcome procrastination. Goals and dreams must be anchored in a concrete plan of action. My "P.V.G. Theory" (how Purpose, Vision and Goals work together) can help you lay the essential groundwork to accomplishing your goals. For each goal you set, you must have a real purpose. Purpose answers the question, "Why do I need to achieve this goal?". It gives you focus to zero in on certain goals and disregard others. If you cannot answer this question, I guarantee that you will not give yourself totally to the process. Goals with purpose allow you to save valuable time and energy because you understand why you are doing what you're doing! Goals anchored in purpose greatly reduce your chances of losing focus and becoming sidetracked. You cannot visualize that which you do not understand, and you lack the mental picture required to accomplish your goal. Vision is not limited to the things we can see with our eyes. Vision is a look into the future. Ask yourself, "What are the possibilities of my goals manifesting over time? What else can happen as a result of me accomplishing this goal?" You need to visualize where the next level is . The "P.V.G. Theory" is really the first step in knowing how to accomplish goals. Take the time right now to find out how your purpose, vision and goals can work together. Don't be afraid to take what is yours! |
| 2.Tailor-made Success: Getting What You Want Out of Life School & Work
by Jermaine M. Davis, M.A. & M. Ed. (candidate) |
There are a number of ways people have achieved success in life, luck, chance, or often, just by the seat of their pants. However I strongly recommend taking another path to success. Set goals! Yes, it is possible to succeed without goals, but the chances of bona-fide success are so much more reliable and predictable when one sets goals. However, 95% of people never set one single identifiable goal in their life. What is the mystery in setting goals? Why do some people have multiple successes while other seem to just muddle along? In studying the lives of successful people I have seen a pattern that repeats itself. They have set goals--which in essence is simply following a well-planned, organized and structured system that can be duplicated over and over. Their goals were all different and unique, but the common thread running through their lives is that they knew how to set a goal system and then implement it, regardless of the object of the goal itself. The major distinction between the successful and unsuccessful is that one group makes things happen while the other group waits for things to happen in their favor. One group creates opportunities, the other crosses their fingers, relying on wishful thinking or good luck. CYCLE OF DUPLICATION In a previous article, I covered some of the reasons why people do not set goals and the "P.V.G. Theory" (purpose, vision and goals). Successful people have overcome the obstacles to setting goals and have put the theory into action. They have a purpose and vision, and then anchor them to a goal. But how do they keep this pattern going throughout their lives? I think it's safe to say that people want to get the most out of their lives as they possibly can. I think it's safe to say that people want to get the most out of their lives as they possibly can. Yet you can want something with all your heart, but unless you are effective at securing it, there won't be much satisfaction at the end of the day. Effectiveness is the key! It means getting what you want over and over and over again according to your individual system. I call this process "The Cycle of Duplication". A PERSONALIZED FORMULA The cycle consists of two components. First, each individual must develop a personalized formula that he or she will consistently follow for each goal they plan to accomplish. A goal is as unique and individualized as the person setting it is. There is no right or wrong goal. People's goals must be geared for their lifestyle, personality and needs. Therefore, each person must then design and create a formula for his or her own goal setting process. In fact, it is entirely possible for two people to have the same goal. Each person must develop and determine that for him or herself. But the end result must be a formula that can be applied to a goal and executed over and over again regardless of the goal itself. Its the process that is the necessary element. Even a small goal or a short-term goal requires a well thought-out plan and process. This component of "The Cycle of Duplication" will ensure the accomplishment of your goals and you will improve each time you apply it. Quite often it can speed the process along, eliminating stress and allowing you to savor the satisfaction of success sooner! PHASES OF A GOAL Second, each person must understand that every goal has three phases, the beginning, the middle and the end. Each phase must be mastered and understood to fully apply the process of "The Cycle of Duplication". Too often, people see only the beginning and the end. They know their goal, and they know their desired outcome, but they don't understand the process it takes to get there. You cannot duplicate the successful accomplishment of goals without mastering the process, in essence, your individualized formula. People will most often get derailed in the middle of the goal process. Perhaps you can't see the progress at the moment and discouragement sets in. You are tempted to give up or start itemizing reasons for failure. Now is the crucial time to get back to the process, the formulated steps. Applying the formula and not deviating from it will move you through the phases. Whether your goal is getting the garage organized, or obtaining a college degree, being able to identify the beginning, the middle and the end and then applying your formula to each phase, will help you arrive at your destination. In addition, it makes the process along the way more enjoyable. It has often been said that the destination is not the only success, it's the "getting there" that is half the fun! |