Ready to dive into a world of achieving your dreams? We’ve got a secret to spill: it’s not about the one big moment, it’s about the choices you make every step of the way. That’s where commitment, willpower and motivation come into play.
Buckle up as we explore how success is all about those daily decisions that point you towards your dreams. Let’s uncover the magic of staying committed, shifting your focus, and making the right moves. Get ready to turn your goals into reality!
Commitment and priorities are closely related because if you’re not really dedicated to your goal, you won’t give it top priority in your life.
Starting with a Promise
When you decide to do something, it’s like making a strong promise (to yourself or to another) that you’ll do it. But a promise means nothing without commitment.
Often, instead of fully committing, we kind of make excuses or say we’ll try until we lose interest or face difficulties. That’s why it’s crucial to be very clear about what you truly want (like we talked about in Obstacle #1 Unclear Objectives). You’ll work harder and longer for something you really, really want compared to something you only sort of/ kinda want.
Here’s a simple example of a goal that failed due to lack of commitment:
Sam wanted to learn how to play the guitar and become proficient enough to play her favourite songs. At first, it excited Sam about learning the guitar. She bought a guitar, took a few lessons, and practiced regularly for a couple of weeks. However, as time went on, she got busy with work and other activities. She began skipping practice sessions and didn’t prioritize practicing as she originally intended. She didn’t push through the challenges of learning and gradually lost interest and the guitar ended up gathering dust in the corner of her room.
Result: She didn’t stick to her initial pledge to practice and improve, and as a result, she didn’t achieve her desired outcome.
But no matter what your goal is, you must promise yourself to reach it – no matter what happens. That’s what commitment is all about: promising to stick with it and not giving up.
The Solution
Now, how can you become committed to a goal and stay that way? The best way is to make your goal so incredibly important that you can’t even think about quitting. Imagine having a goal that you absolutely can’t let go of; a goal that you’d work on for many years without giving up. Are your goals that important?
If not, you have a couple of options:
Spend some time thinking about what could happen if you give up on your goal. Are you okay with those results? You need to convince yourself that it’s like a “do or die” situation for your goals. You’re either going to succeed, or you’ll keep trying no matter what.
If you can’t find the determination needed to reach your goal, maybe it’s not as important as you thought. Take some time to figure out what you really, really want, and then set a goal that will be incredibly important to you. It should be so important that you’ll be super committed to it, no matter what challenges come your way.
Ask Yourself
♦ Am I truly passionate about this goal, or am I pursuing it because others expect me to?
♦ Have I clearly defined what success looks like for this goal?
♦ Do I consistently make time for activities that contribute to my goal’s achievement?
♦ When faced with obstacles or setbacks, do I give up easily or push through them?
♦ Do I frequently procrastinate or making excuses for working on this goal?
♦ Am I willing to sacrifice other activities or pleasures temporarily to prioritize this goal?
♦ Do I regularly review my goal and remind myself why it’s important to me?
♦ Am I willing to accept failure as part of the learning process and keep trying, or do I get discouraged easily?
♦ Do I understand the potential benefits and consequences of achieving or not achieving this goal?
♦ Do I have a backup plan in case I encounter unexpected challenges that threaten my commitment?
♦ Have I communicated my goal to someone else who can hold me accountable and provide encouragement?
♦ Do I see this goal as a “nice to have” or a “must-have” in my life, and am I willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it?
These questions can help you assess your level of commitment to your goals and identify areas where you might need to adjust to stay on track. Remember, it’s okay to reevaluate and make changes if you find that your commitment has been lacking.
Obstacle #12 Not Having Enough Willpower
Willpower is like your inner strength to stick to what you plan to do. It’s about making good choices each moment to match what you want to achieve.
Related Reading: Set and Achieve Your Goals with These 15 Easy Tricks
The Small Decisions
It’s a bit different from committing to a big goal. Willpower is more about the small decisions we make every day to stay on track. Imagine this: you can decide on things you want to do, but if you can’t stick to them, it’s tough to make progress!
Lots of us feel strong and determined until something tempting shows up.
Javier’s goal was to write a novel and become a published author. Javier was passionate about writing and had a great story idea for a novel. He started strong, writing a few pages every day, and making progress on his book. However, as time went on, he encountered challenges that tested his willpower.
Whenever Javier faced writer’s block or felt unsure about a section of his book, he would get frustrated and put off writing. He started procrastinating, convincing himself that he needed to be in the “right mood” to write effectively. Days turned into weeks, and Javier’s writing consistency suffered.
Additionally, Javier had a busy schedule with his day job and other commitments. He found himself getting tired after work and often chose to watch TV or scroll through social media instead of working on his novel. He would tell himself that he deserved a break, but those breaks became longer and more frequent.
Months went by, and Javier’s dream of becoming a published author seemed distant. His inability to push through challenges and make consistent writing progress hindered his journey toward becoming a published author.
The Solution
How do you get better at using your willpower?
The best way I know is to practice. Plan and stick to that plan really well. You could start with smaller plans if the big ones seem hard; for instance, you could plan to write 1500 words a day. But start with 750 words a day to get your momentum up.
The important thing is to not give up when you make a mistake. If you give in to temptation once, just get determined again and start over. The more you do this, the stronger your willpower will become. It takes time, though, so don’t expect to be super good at it right away. Just keep trying to plan things and stick to them, and soon it’ll be easier to ignore things that might steer you off course.
Ask Yourself
♦ Do I consistently make decisions that align with my goal, or do I often give in to distractions or temptations?
♦ When I face challenges or setbacks related to my goal, do I lose motivation and give up easily?
♦ Am I able to stick to my plan even when circumstances become difficult or inconvenient?
♦ Do I procrastinate or delay actions that are necessary for achieving my goal?
♦ Do I make excuses for not taking steps towards my goal, or do I hold myself accountable for my actions (or inaction)?
♦ Do I often choose short-term pleasures over activities that contribute to my long-term goal?
♦ Am I able to resist immediate gratification in favor of long-term rewards and progress?
♦ When I encounter moments of doubt or uncertainty, am I able to push through and keep working towards my goal?
♦ Do I have a strategy in place to handle situations where my willpower is tested, such as avoiding or managing temptations?
♦ Am I committed to practicing self-discipline even when I’m not feeling motivated or enthusiastic?
♦ Do I believe that setbacks and mistakes are a normal part of the journey and continue working towards my goal regardless?
♦ Do I hold a positive vision of the future that my goal will help me achieve, and does this vision motivate me to stay disciplined?
Asking these questions can help you reflect on your willpower and its impact on your goal pursuit. It’s important to recognize areas where your willpower might lack and develop strategies to strengthen it.
Related Reading: Can Wishes and Dreams Lead to Goals?
Obstacle #13 Losing Motivation
Sometimes, the hardest part of chasing our dreams is keeping ourselves motivated. Have you ever felt like your enthusiasm runs out, and it’s tough to keep going?
Fading Fast
When you first decide on your goals, it’s easy to feel excited because you’re thinking about all the great things that will happen. But then real life comes in – obstacles, stress, and frustration. And suddenly, that excitement starts to fade.
As you work on your goals, that initial motivation can start to dwindle. Maybe you get frustrated because results aren’t instant or you feel like your goal is too big. Doubts can creep in and dampen your enthusiasm.
Alex wanted to start an e-commerce store selling handmade crafts. They were passionate about their craft and believed there was a market for their products. Alex spent a lot of time researching e-commerce platforms, making product listings, and designing the online store. They were excited to see their creations showcased on the internet.
However, as time went on, Alex’s motivation wavered. They had a tough time finding materials for their crafts, had some tech issues setting up the online shop, and didn’t know how to market it. The initial excitement faded, and doubts crept in. Alex wondered if their crafts were unique enough or if anyone would actually buy them.
With each setback, Alex found it harder to dedicate time and energy to the e-commerce store. They put off work, like updating listings, answering customers, and promoting on social media. The lack of motivation and growing frustration made it difficult for Alex to overcome these obstacles.
The store’s website wasn’t doing so hot, sales were inconsistent, and the dream of a booming online business seemed far away.
The Solution
Here’s how you can fix this:
Take a Break: If you’re feeling stressed and worn out, take a short break. Stepping back can help you feel better. Give yourself time to rest and recharge.
Try a New Way: If what you’re doing isn’t working, change your approach. Think creatively and find a different path that excites you.
Get Fired Up: Anger can actually help. Get mad at the things holding you back. Use that anger to fuel your determination.
Boost Yourself: Focus on your strengths and past achievements. Remind yourself of what you’re capable of and what you can achieve.
Rekindle Excitement: Remember the feeling of achieving your goal. Write down all the great things that will happen when you succeed. Read it whenever you need a boost.
Stay Positive: There’s no one right way to do this. Write down what you want to happen when you reach your goal. Keep it nearby and read it whenever you need a lift.
The key is to find ways to keep your motivation strong. Even when things get tough, reminding yourself why you started and focusing on the positive outcomes can help you stay on track.
Ask Yourself
♦ Has my initial motivation faded over time?
♦ Am I finding it difficult to take consistent action toward my goal, and if so, what might cause this lack of consistency?
♦ Have I encountered obstacles or challenges that have dampened my motivation? How have I been handling these setbacks?
♦ Do I often procrastinate or delay working on tasks related to my goal? What reasons or excuses do I give myself for this behaviour?
♦ Am I doubting the feasibility of achieving my goal, and if so, what specific doubts or concerns are affecting my motivation?
♦ Have I experienced any recent successes or positive outcomes related to my goal, and how did these affect my motivation?
♦ Do I feel overwhelmed by the tasks required to achieve my goal, and does this sense of overwhelm contribute to my lack of motivation?
♦ Am I comparing my progress or results to others, and is this comparison affecting my motivation?
♦ Am I focusing too much on the potential challenges and negatives associated with my goal, rather than the positives and rewards?
♦ Has my goal become disconnected from what truly motivates me?
♦ Have I revisited the reasons I set this goal in the first place and the benefits it will bring to my life, and how has this impacted my motivation?
Summing it up
When you’re chasing your dreams, remember that success comes from making smart choices that match what you want. It’s not just about reaching your goal once; it’s about the journey of growing and getting better.
Think of it like this: achieving your goals is like changing from one way of being to another. To make your goals happen, think of resolutions as promises to make the right choices – choices that move you toward where you want to be, now or later.
The cool thing is, there’s no such thing as just “succeeding or failing.” It’s all about the choices you make. Some choices help your goals, and some don’t. But the great news is, no matter how long you’ve been making not-so-helpful choices, you can start making the right ones right now!
Last Words on Commitment, Willpower and Motivation
So, remember, it’s not about some grand success or crushing failure. It’s about those choices – the ones that nudge you closer to what you crave or take you off course.
Your journey to success is like building a bridge, one solid decision at a time. Whether you’ve been off track for years or just starting out, it’s never too late to steer yourself towards your goals. So go on, keep those intentions alive, and watch as your choices transform your dreams into achievements. Here’s to your unstoppable success!
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