Time to dump goals in exchange for a joyous journey toward what you want!

Setting goals is a loaded topic, especially the first of any January. I chose to create a simpler process and through in a few insights around getting what you want. Check it out and let me know how it works for you. Also, here’s a live training recording of the process plus a worksheet to help you set up your fun action plan. Enjoy!

A live training I did for your fun action plan.

Fun action plan process: three problems and how to solve them

Problem #1: Not enough clarity

What is the problem: There’s not enough clarity around what is wanted, it’s too broad or conceptual — Examples: Grow biz to $500K gross revenue this year, get outsourced help, start a podcast etc. Have you really thought about it? Or is it knee-jerk generalization with broad strokes and no detail?
Why is it a problem: Too much attention is placed on the end goal, and when it’s not clarified, it’s a lot harder to believe you can achieve it let alone how you’ll get there.
How to solve the problem: Take the time to become clear about what it is you want and why you want it, and associate emotions with the desire (this is key).

Make a speedy list of the things you want, and don’t overthink, just brain dump
Select the item that resonates the most in that moment
Focus on clarifying your item
Be as specific as possible in the way you describe it
Engage your emotions and all of your senses to capture the desired feeling and outcome experience of achieving your item
Paint a mental picture of what that experience and state will be like for you and really sit with it, write about it, let it sink in

Problem #2: No planning and no execution

What is the problem: No workable plan is created as part of the process — Examples: If you are wanting to gross $500K, how is that going to happen and is it even realistically achievable?

Why it’s a problem: Without a workable plan, you have nothing to execute against so you’re making random in-the-moment assumptions about things and don’t experience progress.

How to solve the problem: Base your plan and execution around micro activities:

Break it down into activities, not goals, that you can do on a frequent, consistent basis
Brainstorm, be creative and make the activities fun so they suit your personality
Reward yourself! When you complete activities, acknowledge it with a reward of an experience, treat or anything that you would view as pleasurable and make that part of your plan!

Problem #3: It’s difficult to sustain

What is the problem: People lose thrust and faith and then justify and bargain about giving up and return to the status quo, especially when they start sliding on activities.

Why is it a problem: It’s looked upon as work and work is hard! No one wants to work harder than they already do, and since it’s a goal YOU set, it’s a goal YOU can break. The penalty isn’t that bad because you were already in that state to begin with, survived it, so it’s logical to return to the status quo.

How to solve the problem: Sustaining your journey and the desired state is unique to everyone. Some need accountability and a continuation of reminders, micro activities etc. Others are able to achieve the new behavior that achieved the desired item/state, but need support dealing with the external or related things that changed or opened up as a result of them achieving that item, for example, if you reach your goal of making $500 gross revenue in your business, how do you sustain that, create greater efficiencies, get more support, expand your reach, level up that revenue or other new opportunities that have opened up?

Example

Goal: Fit my car in the garage/clean out the garage

Clarify: What is not clean about it? How much room do you need? How do you use the garage? Can you find things and what things must be in the garage and what isn’t needed in the garage? What will it feel like to park in my garage and get in and out of the car easily and find things easily and not be embarrassed about how it looks when I leave the garage door open to my neighbors?
Planning/Execution: What are the general areas I need to focus on now that I have greater clarity from the last step? Can I group them into segments? How can I organize it so it doesn’t feel so overwhelming? How can I enroll my family or spouse into this vision? Such as what can be organized to maximize space like bicycles mounted on the wall or from the ceiling opening up floor space? What items can be donated to Goodwill or sold in a garage sale? What can I do every week to focus on one aspect of the garage and what day/time should I dedicate to doing it so it gradually gets done instead of the heaviness of tackling all in one weekend resulting in it never getting done? How can I reward myself for each activity or milestone? Buy a new bicycle? Invest in a home improvement garage organizing storage system? Buy a new car?
Sustain: Once the garage is in the desired finished state, how do I keep it that way? What do I need to clarify, plan and execute to keep it open, my car in it and not an embarrassment in the neighborhood? How can I instill “garage happiness” so it becomes a new way of life?