Faith: Turning goals into reality
Crossing the finish line after completing Ironman 70.3 a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run. A goal I have had since I was a child. I held my face right after because the tears started flowing I was so happy.
Throughout my entire life I have always been a goal setter. I think of so many things that I want to accomplish on a daily basis. I make list. I dwell on the goals. Sometimes I forget them and other times as the months pass the goals become less important. I am a great goal setter (most of us are) however, I have not always been a “goal finisher.” There are many goals I have set for myself that I have not reached.
One specific time in 2008 I set all of these goals after watching the documentary The Secret. I filled my apartment with affirmations about receiving a new car, homes that I wanted to own and money in my bank account. It is quite comical thinking about it now. I sincerely expected to get these material items by concentrating on them. Even if I had received them, the happiness of the attaining that goal would not have lasted because my motivation for receiving these items was rooted in my ego.
I also remember the weight lose goal. Every New Years Eve this was my resolution. I would exercise and eat right for maybe 2 months then give up. I tried almost everything (healthy and unhealthy) to lose weight but nothing happened. Finally, I have succeeded at this goal! However, this is because my motivation has changed. I am not focused on the scale I am focused on the fun I have competing in sports. I am not focused on my dress size I am focused on being happy and healthy. In those HARD years of trying to lose weight I was at the gym running on the treadmill thinking about how sexy I would be and how all my ex boyfriends would die when they saw me. My motivation then was rooted in negativity and thus my goal never came to fruition.
The truth is the motivation behind our goals is directly linked to the success or failure of that goal. Why do you want to lose weight? Why do you want to have a wildly successful career? Why do you want to be wealthy? Dig deep to find where the motivation behind these goals are rooted. If the goals are rooted in expectations placed on you, vanity, revenge or a self centered fantasy chances are you wont be a “goal finisher” and more importantly you wont be happy.
The sky is the limit on the success that you can have in life, but it all depends on your motivation. Is it positive or negative?
What do you think? What hinders people from reaching their goals? What is your motivation behind a big goal you have for yourself? Leave a comment.