You may have heard me speak before about the importance of setting goals that are within your control. But it’s just as important to be excited about your goal.

Now, few people put the words “goal” and “excitement” in the same sentence. And for those who cannot, they often struggle to achieve their goals.

Granted, there are some “goals” set by others, such as our boss or clients. But even those goals can be exciting when we rework them into something more enticing for ourselves.

Action – Look at one of the goals you’ve recently set. Are you excited about the outcome? Do you feel excited about the actions you’ll need to take?

If you answered NO to either question, you may find yourself procrastinating or worrying. You may feel like you “have to” do it. Either drop the goal completely or rework it into something that makes you smile.

Your time, energy and resources are far too valuable for anything less!

17 Responses

  1. I am so excited to get started in your 6-week challenge. I need this class!

    I know I am going to take home alot of great knowledge at the end of this series.

  2. Goal – The Himalayas, tomorrow @ 4 pm

    Yes, I’m stressed because I have yet to pack.
    Am I excited -you bet.

    Corrective Action Now:

    I will start packing before hitting the sack.

    Thanks for the teach.

  3. Starting the 6 weeks challenge and struggling with my goal…:-(, Now I know why…

    Time to drop it and create a new one that excites me!

      1. I’ve been running a corporate 6 week Challenge Series all about goal achievement. I also do this in my 1-to-1 work.

  4. I remember you speaking to our team about this one time Nancy and it hadn’t occurred to any of us at the time that a goal is not a rank level if it depends on others making a decision to say yes or no. It’s not in our control to have people join our business, but it is a goal to say you will call 10 people each day, follow up with 5 people a day or make 3 new connections a day. A goal is committing to the actions that help us get the end result. I thought that was profound when you taught me that a couple of yrs ago.

    1. It is unfortunate that we do not learn this difference between a ‘performance goal’ and a ‘desired outcome’ earlier in life. It would certain reduce a lot of heartache and loss of self-confidence!

  5. I can hardly believe this is needed.
    Why are people setting goals that don’t excite them? I understand that goals that are set by others are not always exciting, but goals we set ourselves?

    1. Ken, have you ever set the goal of cleaning your house? How much excitement did that give you? It’s a goal of mine, I set it myself, however I keep procrastinating. I guess goals like obtaining new clients or increasing turnover are way more exciting, nevertheless Nancy’s tips also apply to the more mundane things of life and are therefore much needed. So thank you Nancy, I will try to envision a cleared out, tranquil space, maybe the task will be lighter that way 🙂

  6. All of this makes much sense. I had never thought about it, and really often found myself wondering “have to do”. With the tips of the Challenge Series Journal, my goals will surely be excited for me.

  7. Agree Nancy. The same applies for the opposite: to break a bad habit, the key is linking the habit to ultimate pain.

  8. Thanks Nancy for a beautiful daily SSS to change the life of man.
    You say right each and every goals depend upon the excitement of how we are doing our job with time frame and overall success comes through excitement.
    APJ Abdul Kalam says dreams are not which see in night the dreams are that which seen in days and for fulfill that we do not sleep.
    Means excitement is compulsory to achieve goals.
    Thanks again for your beautiful messages which I read daily and got motivated with remove of some bad habits.
    Regards,
    Rajeev

    1. I just looked up some of Dr. Kalam’s quotes on BrainyQuote.com. A very insightful man and, from what I understand, a true visionary for India when he was President.

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