Once you’ve set your massive goal, chances are that it looks daunting. In fact, if it doesn’t, then it’s probably not big enough!
Once you get over that perfectly normal reaction, it’s time to tame that goal and the best way to do that is to split it into bite sized chunks.
What that means is that you need to dissect the massive goal and work out at least some of the steps you need to take in order to reach the goal.
Don’t worry about working out every single step – you probably won’t know that ahead of time.
Just concentrate on starting the process.
For instance, there will be something you need to do in order to start working on the goal. It could be a phone call you need to make, it could be an email you need to send, it could be near enough anything. But this will be the first stepping stone towards your big goal.
Jot that thing down. Either in a spreadsheet or on a sheet of paper like a personal development plan.
Then move on to at least six more items you’ll need to do to move closer to your goal.
Why six more? That gives you a week’s worth of things to do towards your new goal. Enough to be able to come up with at one sitting. And enough to mean you’ll get them listed without procrastinating!
Then make a start on the first item (or at least one of the items on your list).
This is very, very important.
Humans like things to be complete – it’s why companies like Franklin Mint sell collectibles.
Most of us can’t stand it when something is incomplete.
So by making a start, you put that nagging thought into your mind that you’ve now got to complete the task.
Each day for at least the next month, make sure that you do something towards your big goal.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a small thing – they build up – or a large thing.
But it definitely matters that you do something. Anything that gets you closer to your goal.
The momentum this builds up should mean that this becomes more and more automatic.
It takes about three weeks to a month to make a habit, hence the suggestion that you keep yourself on track and do this each and every day for the next 4 weeks.
I find it easiest to do this first thing in the morning. Before life gets in the way and before I get a chance to procrastinate. You’ll need to work out what works best for you and then stick to it as closely as possible.
When you get to the end of the first month, keep going until you’ve reached your big goal.
It sounds simple…
Because it is!
The trick is to keep at it – keep doing something, anything, that will take you closer to your goal.
Don’t worry if you drift off course occasionally – that happens – but do take steps to get yourself back on course as soon as possible.
