Don't Set Goals
Make Commitments Instead!
I believe we create a more meaningful lifestyle by making and keeping commitments instead of setting goals. Hold on before you tune me out wondering what my point is or if there is even a difference.
Let’s begin by reframing our thoughts concerning goal-setting in the general sense of the word. I’m speaking of goal-setting as a lifestyle within the context of wishful hope. In this sense oftentimes life simply gets in the way of a goal that was made with genuine sincerity towards its completion.
Poor results, those inconsistent with desired results reveal a few things:
- the goal was either unrealistic & unattainable
- there was not enough desire or clear definiteness of purpose
There may be other factors, understandably; however, I am convinced that whatever they are, they can be easily boiled down to these two.
Commitments on the other hand are action oriented ~ which means they demand action. Making commitments become a way of life, in other words it becomes a lifestyle. The level of commitment to achieve desired results can simply be gauged ‘by the result’. If the truth were told one could easily recognize whether true commitment exists or not simply by the end result. Now stay with me, ‘Desired Result’ and ‘End Result’ may be two entirely different things.
Desire represents one’s longing while the end result clearly demonstrates the Reality. There’s no way around this, either your lifestyle is reflective of someone committed or not. The end results always tell the truth concerning the degree of your resolve. So my point here is simply this: don’t set goals … create the lifestyle of one who keeps commitments instead!
Commit to dramatically change your lifestyle by becoming the person you need to be. Make commitments the habitual component of your life journey and things will change right before your eyes.
Set small attainable, under-achievable goals (stepping stones toward commitments) and develop the habit of completing them on a daily, consistent basis. One of my mentors is fond of saying: “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” I found his words to be true. They constantly ring in my ears whenever I pursue new objectives. Measuring pertains to fixed timelines, well defined, clear objectives and a changeless reality.
You know … something immovable despite the circumstance.
In absence of a consistent fatherly role model and presence growing up, I was influenced primarily by seven uncles each contributing in their own way. They constantly admonished me to ‘Be the man’. While after a long period of time I had a fuzzy notion of what those words truly meant I grew up doing the things I thought were consistent with ‘Being the man’. I worked hard at becoming a responsible adult although there were times when I simply wanted to ‘Be a child’.
Be, Do, Have
That’s What It Takes!
Lacking a clear understanding of who I was or who I wanted to be I did a lot of irresponsible things as a result. However, as I matured and learned the real truth supporting those words I readily accepted the responsibility to ‘Be the man’ according to my own definition.
I created a more meaningful lifestyle by applying the same principle in other areas of my life. Recalling my service in the military when I wanted to be the best construction equipment operator I could be, I discovered effectiveness came when instead of setting a goal to operate equipment the best I worked on ‘Be-ing the best operator’. I simply learned to do what the “best operators” did. In a short time I discovered I aimed low and hit the mark according to my potential.
Afterwards, I longed to grow in other areas of my life and “Became” … the best husband, father, salesperson, manager and trainer I could possibly be. Today everything I do is with the commitment to ‘Be’ whatever it is that is required of that person to be. I desire to be great so I hang out with greatness ~ people who are hungry for wisdom and are willing to pay the price in advance for success.
Be the person you need to be in order to do the things as necessary to have everything you can possibly desire. Create and live the exceptional lifestyle. Be committed to doing those things that most people won’t so that you can have all that most people can’t. I now pass on my uncles’ advice to you, ‘Be the man’, so to speak!
According to my mentor, Mr. Jim Rohn, the major question you must ask in every circumstance, relationship or venture is not what you are getting ~ instead the major question to ask is who are you ‘Becoming’. Keep your commitments, that’s key!
Prioritizing means to say, Yes! Saying yes to one thing invariably means one must say "No" to something else.
You can’t have it both ways, it’s either Yes or No What happens to a lot of people is they generally get stuck between Yes and No out of fear, it's either fear of gain or fear of loss.
Make the decision to move towards an abundant lifestyle and move without delay. A certain level of trust and faith must be activated because without these there can be no bold action.
I’m reminded of the guy who was lost. Trying to find his way he came across a person he thought to be helpful, he asked, “How can I get to Carnegie Hall ... the reply he received was ... 'Practice, man ~ Practice’
Make The Commitments Necessary To Create Massive Wealth!
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