Category: starting

You have probably heard about the importance of writing down goals and making them specific.  It is good advice.  

I recently read an article by Dr. Phil that took the goal-setting process one step further.  “The difference between a dream and a goal is a timeline,” he wrote.  “The deadline you’ve created fosters a sense of urgency or purpose, which in turn will serve as an important motivator, and prevent inertia or procrastination.”

How often have you thought about doing something “someday?”  You may even have a written bucket list, but unless there is a timeline for accomplishing those dreams they will remain nebulous and likely undone.

At work, be skeptical of those who share plans, but without a timeline attached.  It makes for an easy way to weasel out of accountability or to provide excuses.  

A deadline is different than a timeline.  A deadline implies that the task will be finished by the set date, whereas a timeline is a suggested path for implementation.  

The publisher of the daily paper doesn’t dream about getting today’s edition out on time; she has a deadline to do so.  Think of yourself as your publisher and set a firm deadline to get your dream out the door.  

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6032668?&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000067

On this date in 1975, “NBC’s Saturday Night” debuted with host comedian George Carlin.  The show was original from the beginning, opting for parodies and satires instead of more stand up comedy and it featured a different guest, host, and musical guest each week.  

A few more thoughts from the Tory Johnson webinar I referenced yesterday.  

Tory shared five steps that she believes will help you achieve any of your goals because they “shift” your thinking (which is conveniently the title of her recent book)

1.  If you have tried and failed, spend the time to dig deep to understand “why this next attempt must be different”.  She advocates outlining in brutal black and white why you are too fed up to accept the way things are.

2.  Ask yourself what you are willing to give up. Tory believes that you have to get uncomfortable to get where you want to go.

3.  Develop a specific plan that outlines the three key things you must do to get the outcome you desire.  Her plan to (successfully) lose 60 pounds:  “Eat less, choose smarter, move more.”  Repeat it over and over when faced with choices that make you uncomfortable (see #2!).

4.  Determine your DAILY accountability.  If you see daily progress, it will be a motivator to continue.  (There is a reason I number these blogs!!)

5.  Embrace patience and celebrate victories.  “There is no potion that trumps patience and perseverance and we can control these,” she said. 

What big goal do you have that could benefit from a shift in thinking?  Perhaps employing Tory Johnson’s methods will make you uncomfortable enough to become successful.

The Shift: How I finally lost weight and discovered a happier life by Tory Johnson

I read an article written by a woman whose daughter had to make a piñata for Spanish class.  The girl decided on an overly ambitious design, and by the end of the first hour it was clear that it was going to take far longer to finish than could be reasonably expected for this homework project.

The mom urged her daughter to dump the design and start over with a more simple one, but the daughter persisted.  After 22 more hours, it was done.

This project reminded me of the foundational economics theory of “sunk costs.”  She had already sunk one hour into the project regardless of whether she dumped it or pressed on.  Staying with something that would drain more energy was pointless “just because” she had started.  

Do you have projects in life that you stick with even when the outcome is dubious?  Do you press on and read the book even though you are bored after the first 100 pages?  Are you in a career because you are invested in it, rather than because it brings you joy?  Have you stayed with a project that was a perpetual energy drain when there was another way around it?

Sometimes you’d be better to regroup and start afresh with something entirely different.  May you have the courage and wisdom to know when you should rethink your version of the piñata.

–— beth triplett

What’s your 22-hour piñata?  by Allison M. Vaillancourt, Chronicle of Higher Education, February 15, 2013, p. A37