Small Goals Help You Win
Edition #05 THE BLUEPRINT
If you joined in making last week social media free, I hope it was refreshing! I noticed an increase in my focus and had two fantastic work days in a row - usually these are interrupted by the occasional scroll but I didn’t have to worry about that. I hope you enjoyed a similar result.
Today we will cover how to build determination and grow confidence by creating small goals.
Alarming Fact: 90% of New Year’s resolutions fail. Alternatively, 10% succeed.
What’s the difference between these two groups of people?
Determination and Self-Confidence
Here is a common route most people take when setting goals. We are told to set big goals and shoot for the stars our whole life, so why not make it my moment: Set Big Goal. Next, start on the path of this goal, realize it is difficult and eventually, give up because I really don’t care that much. Life goes on!
In this scenario, we have made a connection in our mind that when we set a goal, it is okay to not complete it. This will reflect in the rest of our lives: work, school, family, hobbies, etc.
The problem most of us face is not that our goals are too big. I believe we can all achieve the goals we put in front of ourselves. Rather, the problem is we build habits of weak-mindedness and allow ourselves to quit.
This may be difficult to hear, but the good news is there is a way to reverse this effect, build back determination, and conquer our large goals.
The answer: small goals.
Through setting a small goal, measuring results, and chipping away at something that can be completed rather quickly, we build confidence in our ability to attain this. With just enough effort, we succeed. Now, maybe you haven’t solved world hunger or stood atop Everest, but you have created a connection in your brain that says when I set a goal, I achieve it.
You have accomplished the first step in building determination. Now do it again. And again. You will become addicted to the success you begin to feel. And this success directly correlates to how you view your abilities in reaching larger goals - they will seem more attainable.
Stacking one accomplishment atop the next will engrain that you are a successful person. And your confidence will blossom because whatever you set out to do, you have proven to yourself you will succeed!
Because of this affirmation, you can now set larger goals. Our mind has become formidable and will put up more than a week’s worth of resistance to challenge.
Now whether you have quit a goal at some point or have always been one to strap down and see it through, more confidence to complete what you set to do has hurt no one. Achieving small goals should be on everyone’s to do list because it drives motivation, strengthens determination, and optimizes the individual.
My call-to-action for you:
Set a small goal today. If it is part of day to day upkeep, great. If it’s aligned with your job, mission, or purpose, fantastic. Even set a goal entering into a hobby or activity you have always been interested in.
Right now, decide on something that you can do for a week.
Make it relatively easy, don’t be afraid to set something ridiculously small to start the momentum, and it does not need to be life changing. Do something for a week before committing to longer timeframes.
Small goals I have taken up:
Practicing gratitude every morning for 30 days
Producing a 14-week newsletter
Social Media free last week
Best,
Spencer Abts
Retired United States Navy Admiral William H. McRaven shares a fantastic example of using small goals to create a winning mindset.
Watch the 2-minute video here
