By Ahsan
Here we are; it's the first week of the New Year! We are all hopeful and apprehensive at the same time for obvious reasons. Regardless, we still look forward to making life a bit better with a bit of old-fashioned determination and goals for the new year.
So how many goals and resolutions have you set for yourself? In my opinion, the average number is likely four, the usual four…exercise more, eat healthier, make more money, stay in touch with family and friends. And therein lies the challenge.
You have all these unique goals, but few of them get done due to a familiar pattern: set goals, start all of them at once, get overwhelmed, get distracted and then using “busyness” as an excellent excuse.
Well, there is always next year. Right?
Let us think about this for a second. Why don’t we achieve more of our goals? It’s because we have too many of them.
Having too many goals is like going to the buffet for dinner; there are too many choices, and the food ends up creating indigestion in the end. With too many goals, you end up in a world of overwhelm, dissatisfaction, self-incrimination, and your goals go to the wayside.
So, is there a better way?
Of course, there is. And here it is.
You need one "WATERFALL" goal. A waterfall goal is a particular goal that has a cascading effect on all your other goals.
Let's give you an example: Let' say your Big Important Goal (BIG) for the year is to write a book. You will need to break that goal down into several actions and stay motivated and act on your plan. You know this, and I know this. But what if you also had a goal to get in shape this year too? What if you made working out your Waterfall goal?
It’s just like seeing Niagara Falls. When you stand near the Falls, you see the water calmly flowing over the edge, and then it powerfully crashes against the river and rocks below, setting in motion a constant mist! A Waterfall goal of working out will spill over and cause motion for the BIG goal of writing the book.
Your Waterfall goal can have an impact on all your goals. Your daily workout will cascade into better eating, increased alertness, so you write better; increased confidence so you perform better at work or business; and gives you a sense of well-being, making even your relationships more harmonious.
As the famous business philosopher Jim Rohn said, “if you really want to do something, you will find a way, if you don’t, you will find an excuse.”
So here is what you might like to do.
Actions:
Make a list of all your goals for 2021.
Choose one goal out of your list and make it the Waterfall Goal: Set aside 6-12 months to master it! Think of how it will create the cascade effect.
Track the accomplishment of your BIGs that are fueled by your Waterfall Goal.
Keep your Waterfall Goal as a life-long commitment because it will likely accelerate all your present and future BIGs.
What goals do you need to focus on for 2021? It’s very natural to have more than one goal. Just figure out one Waterfall Goal and make it your focus for all of 2021.
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