We need these
intermediate goals because the larger goals are generally too broad
or too far off in the future to generate specific actions. If
your goal is "To have a strong, loving marriage," that's good.
But it doesn't prescribe an action or behavior you can focus on
today, or this month, or this year.
Many plans for
success aren't really plans at all because they lack short-term
goals. Broad goals without specific, narrower goals, are
really just pleasant dreams. You may want good relationships,
a comfortable retirement, and to make a difference in the world.
But without specific, actionable goals, you can't make any progress.
Imagine that your
goals are a journey to a destination. The long-term goal (the
first focal point) is like a pin on a map. Once you establish
your destination, you can begin working toward it. The
short-term goals (the second focal point) are the steps you take to
reach your destination.
If you wake up
every day, look at the pin on the map, and then watch TV, you'll
never reach your destination. You need to take actions every
day, every week, every month that move you toward your goal.
The third focal
point of success is the present moment. At each moment
in your life you take actions that affect your goals. Each
action, at each moment, either moves you toward a goal, away from a
goal, or has no effect on a goal. Of these three options, only
one advances you toward your goal. Even the neutral option is
really a move away from your goal because it is the actions of daily
life that become the habits of success.
Let's say you have
a goal of having a healthy body. That's a long-term Focal
Point One goal. To reach this end, you set goals of exercising
every day and eating a healthy diet. Those are short-term,
Focal Point Two goals. Great. You're on your way to
success.
The hard part comes
at the holidays. Too much candy and fudge. Potatoes with
gravy. Second helpings. Skipping the exercise today.
And today. And today.
The hardest part of
success is not the goal-setting (long-term or short-term).
Goals are necessary for success. But the hard part comes with
every action, every day. Every single bite you take affects
your diet. And every step you take affects your exercise
level.
It's always okay to
take a break--to skip the exercise one day. We can always get
back on track. But it's also easy to feel very committed to a
goal and yet be in the habit of skipping the exercise every
day.
|
"It’s not your commitment I’m worried
about. . . .
It’s your commitment to your
commitment."
-- Kenneth Blanchard and Robert Lorber |
Ultimately, our
progress comes down to this moment--each moment of each day.
Perhaps our progress is so small that no one can see. But our
actions either move us toward our goal or away from it.
Whatever your
goals--to be more loving, to be more energetic, to lose weight--you will get there one moment at a time.
I believe this
approach, the Three Focal Points of Success, can be a powerful
method of viewing your path to your goals.
Focus on the
moment.
Focus on
the short-term goals.
Focus
on the ultimate goal.
And the most
powerful consequence of this approach is that you can begin at any
moment to move in the right direction. As long as you have the
long-term and short-term goals, you can always advance toward them.
This is true even if you've failed to focus successfully before.
Begin today.
Begin this moment.
The first focal
point of success is the "big picture" or the ultimate goal.
Obviously, you need to set your goals first. This is a
lengthy, ongoing process. Your goals might be to excel in your
profession, to retire comfortably, or (and?) to raise your children
well. Of course your goals may be quite different.
