Have you ever dreamt of going somewhere or doing something and it never happened? Why was that?

There are many factors that go into being able to accomplish a goal; access to the right resources, your reason for that goal, having the time to commit to it and so much more. What if most of the elements needed to get to your destination can be addressed by doing just one factor that people often miss when setting goals?

Make your goals specific.

“I’m going to write a book.”
“I’m going to travel to Australia.”
“I’m going to climb Angel’s Landing.”
“I’m going to open my own business.”

I used to write my goals like this, lacking the details that would take me there. I wrote them as if just wishing and writing them down would be enough intention to make them come to fruition.

Here’s why that didn’t work for me:

1. I didn’t USE INTENTIONAL PHRASING. By saying “I’m going to do this thing” I was putting that goal so far in the future that I couldn’t see myself actually doing it, accomplishing it right here and now. So I started writing them in the present; “join remote traveling business owners group”, “plan four domestic family trips”, “launch Trained for Adventure”. Writing them in this way allows me to say that I’m accomplishing that goal RIGHT NOW even if I haven’t arrived at the final destination.
2. I didn’t GIVE THEM A COMPLETION DATE. Without a completion date I was saying “it will happen when it happens”…if it happens at all. The lack of a completion date was actually me not having faith in myself to accomplish it by then. Now I have the “SO WHAT?!” mindset. Give your goals a completion date and work hard to complete them by then but if you don’t it’s not the end of the world, set a new completion date.
3. I didn’t CONSIDER INVOLVED PARTNERS. I was a do-it-myself kind of gal, afraid that others would let me down. Over the years I’ve learned that it’s my expectations of myself that often let me down and that involving others actually takes those goals to a whole new level. Whether those partners are hands on or what I center my goal around, I’ve found that community enjoyment is something that keeps on giving even after the goal has been reached.
4. I didn’t DETERMINE MILESTONES. There are so many parts that stack on top of one another to help you achieve a goal. I thought that by simply jotting down my destination, the journey would figure itself out. Boy was I wrong! Today I understand that not knowing your stepping stones leads to frustration and let downs. Now I write out at least three milestones that I have to reach in order to obtain a goal and then break those down into smaller pieces to check off. By doing so I don’t miss out on important factors and can enjoy the journey because I’m completing the steps needed to get to where I want to be.
5. I didn’t UNDERSTAND WHAT MIGHT NEED TO BE SACRIFICED. Going after a goal takes energy and we only have so much to give to each part of our life every day. There will be things that sit on the back burner or leave your life because you simply can’t give your all to everything all at once. And that’s okay. Understanding that will help you cope with the feeling that you need to do it all, which can eventually burn yourself out.

If you get anything from this reflection of mine, I hope that it’s realizing that implementing specific intentions is not only important for arrival at your destination but also the enjoyment of the journey.

If you’re ready to upgrade your goals and go to those places you’ve been dreaming of, take each of those five lessons I learned and complete them for every one of your goals.

Love, 

Ash