How to Use These 2 Powerful Strategies to Realize Your Major Life Goal
Learn how to commit to your goal in a way that supports your identity
I have only had a small handful of major goals in my life. And most of them I failed.
When I didn’t get results about the goal, I questioned whether this was the correct goal for me.
There are 2 reasons why you may not realize your major life goal. Firstly, a lack of clarity on the goal. Secondly, several areas in your life that don’t support your journey.
I learned this the hard way by not realizing my dream to be a professional footballer. However, I later learned the lessons and how to apply them when I became an international yoga teacher.
#1 Be clear on your goal
In Locke’s groundbreaking research into goal setting in the 1960s, his article Toward a Theory of Task Motivation and Incentives, states the first task in goal setting is having crystal clear clarity on the goal.
Your energy and focus are scattered when there is ambiguity around the goal.
To remedy this Jim Rohn comes to the rescue with this 3-point plan:
- Evaluation and Reflection — Make an assessment of where you are right now and your current level of satisfaction.
- Goal — What is the main focus of your goal? This is to be independent of past experiences or what you can get. Rather what is your real heart’s desire? Not what another person has told you, you should do. Not what society says you should do to be a person of value. A goal that is uniquely yours. That will be created by you and your gift to the world.
- SMART Goal –
- Specific — state exactly what the goal is.
- Measurable — quantify the goal.
- Attainable — Hand on heart, can you reasonably complete this goal? Consider other factors in your life such as your responsibilities and age.
- Realistic — It’s has to be something that can be done and practical.
- Time-sensitive — Put in place a time frame for completion.
When you are clear on your goal you then set your life up for success. All the various aspects of your life can then be lined up towards fulfilling that goal.
2# Carry out those behaviors that support your goal
Set up your lifestyle so that the success of your goal is inevitable.
Collins dictionary defines lifestyle as:
a set of attitudes, habits, or possessions associated with a particular person.
If you engage in behaviors that self-sabotage this will impact negatively your ability to reach your goal.
When I was a teenager I had a goal of being a professional footballer. I trained 3 times a week, went to the gym 3 times a week, and did extra unscheduled sessions by myself. I played in all the representative sides. But I failed to get picked up by a professional organization.
During the week I was the model professional. But on the weekend after the game, I would go out after game drinking until 5 a.m. the next day. And I would destroy greasy KFC and blocks of chocolate.
Come Monday though, I was back to training like a machine for Saturday’s game.
The heavy drinking and junk food impacted heavily on my recovery.
Although I wanted to be a professional footballer I didn’t see myself as a professional footballer.
How to identify what behaviors support — create an identity
James Clear in his book Atomic Habits states to build supportive habits, adopt the associated identity with your goal.
James says that there are 3 levels to process through to get to the stage of adopting an identity:
“The first layer is changing your outcomes. This level is concerned with changing your results: losing weight, publishing a book, winning a championship. Most of the goals you set are associated with this level of change.
The second layer is changing your process. This level is concerned with changing your habits and systems: implementing a new routine at the gym, decluttering your desk for better workflow, and developing a meditation practice. Most of the habits you build are associated with this level.
The third and deepest layer is changing your identity. This level is concerned with changing your beliefs: your worldview, your self-image, and your judgments about yourself and others. Most of the beliefs, assumptions, and biases you hold are associated with this level.” —James Clear
I had for a long time had an interest in spirituality and India. After my dream of becoming a professional footballer didn’t come to fruition I started to follow my interest in spirituality.
I wanted to become a yoga teacher and travel internationally. I did a 5-year (not a typo) Iyengar yoga teacher training. But for some reason, things still didn’t click for me.
A teacher I had sat me down and spoken to me at length and with understanding and wisdom.
He said to me “Damian you are a yogi, this is your lifestyle now.”
When he said this something clicked inside. I immediately thought about what it meant to be a yogi. I had read all about them. I asked myself, how do they move and behave in the world? What are the appropriate foods to eat, what time do they get up in the morning, and how to set up my practice like a yogi, etc?
Beyond that, I was reassessed by beliefs and values. Do my values marry up with the values in the yogic texts?
The outcome was when I shifted to take on this identity associated with the goal, I automatically when to a whole new depth of embracing my goal. All other activities I did then fell behind my goal.
My self-image changed and so did my life.
I have now successfully run Yoga programs in Australia and India.
Twist the knobs
If you are struggling to adopt your identity then ‘twist the knobs.’ Reverse engineer how you behave. This comes straight out from our behavioral psychology 101.
Examine your behaviors and see how much time you are spending on those behaviors that are not aligned with your goal. Then ‘twist the knobs’, that is turn down how much energy you put into those activities and spend more time doing those things that are in line with your goal.
I turned down going to bed late at night and eating junk food. I turned up going to bed early and eating small healthy meals at night. This helped me get up to do my practice in the morning.
Unexpected Benefits — How this affects other areas of your life
Working towards this one goal creates other great habits in your life.
Taking on the Yogi identity I started eating clean. I ate organic plant-based food.
The values that you adopt to achieve your goals become the place from which you act about your work, finance, and relationships. As your values now permeate your life.
The people in your life change when you are committed and clear on your goal. I have reached out to many teachers around the world. When they can see your genuine and commitment, they take the time to talk and communicate with you.
Concluding thoughts
Avoid the doubts that may have crept into your mind regarding your goal. Instead, shift your perception on how you see yourself.
Whether you are starting your own business to be a successful coach or a professional writer. Project yourself out into the world as an expert coach or as a successful writer.
Lead by example, be an inspiration, and show your family, work colleagues, and friends how to achieve a massive goal.
