Goals Set the Stage at Any Stage
All of you are here because you want more. More success. More improvement. More control over your emotions. More mental freedom and more peak level performance.
Energy is the driving force behind your pursuit of more. Whether we call it passion, motivation, enthusiasm, or ambition – the intent is the same. This is the energy source that fuels us to learn, improve, prepare, reflect, and execute.
As I near my 20th year of coaching, my conviction around the value of setting goals has only strengthened. Yes, it’s true that you don’t need to go through a formal process like what I advocate for regularly with my clients and in this blog, but by avoiding that, to me, you’re gambling. You’re hoping that you’re among the few who can realize atypical results through the sheer power of your will.
I’ve written and talked about goals a lot over the years. In this blog I’ve pulled them together in one overview so you can focus on the piece most relevant to you at this point in time. And I promise, that regardless of where you are in your pursuit of more, and regardless of what domain you seek it in, there’s a resource below that can help.
This is also a great blog to bookmark or snooze the email to pop back up in February as a reminder – just in case you’ve procrastinated at the start of the year.
Resolutions Are Stupid, Here’s Why
Read this blog to get a deeper understanding of the difference between announcing an outcome (I will run a marathon this year) and having achievable goals (I will run 5 miles a day and then add 1 mile each week).
While this video is one hour long, you only have to watch the first 10 minutes or so where I give an overview of the goal-setting process, as well as some examples. Make sure to download the goals worksheet to follow along.
Are You Working As Hard As You Need to Be?
Sometimes you need a reality check. I’m not trying to be negative, but rather remind you why honest assessments matter for how you set your next goals.
This blog speaks to the motivation aspect of goals. Getting very clear on your “why” provides much-needed stability when you’re tested and your motivation starts to lag.
You’re Standing on A Mountain of Skill and Accomplishment
Celebrating wins isn’t a goal, but it is a great way to help you stay on track. If you didn’t do this for 2024, start paying more attention to acknowledging your progress as you go. Plus, if you aren’t finding the wins, it’s important to know that early so you can make necessary adjustments.
Solo professionals like poker players and traders are not only responsible for playing or trading, they wear all the other hats – risk/bankroll manager, trainer, nutritionist, educator, etc. But a role you need to pay attention to is being a great coach for yourself. Who else can sustain the needed accountability, focus, and discipline? It’s not easy, but it can make a big difference in defining and hitting those goals.
Even when you have clear, achievable goals, some days are just tough. Life gets in the way, a plan falls through, a trade/game doesn’t go the way you expected – the list is endless. In those times, you have to lean on your ability to be resilient.
While you can’t just sit around and wait to be inspired, a little bit of inspiration can go a long way to keeping you engaged. Think of how you might listen to your favorite song in the middle of a run because you know it will give you an extra energy boost to keep going. Knowing what inspires you and when to seek it out can be a great tool in helping you meet commitments.
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I’m personally very excited for 2025. I’ve practiced what I preach and I have defined goals I’m looking forward to achieving. I hope this summary helps you get to the next step no matter where you are and what you’re looking to achieve.
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