Your goals are important to you. That’s why GenuLines used two days to cover the topic.
Today we offer some takeaway thoughts toward reaching your goals and building your genuine life!
How to Set Powerful Goals You Can Achieve (pt 2)
Be Measurable
At which point have you achieved the goal? If you can’t come up with a number or something that’s measurable, then you won’t have a real goal.
Let’s say you want your business to earn x number of dollars each week by a certain date. You would work out the how and why you’re going to do it.
Be Actionable
To achieve any goal there have to be steps you can take to get there. It’s like using a map to reach a vacation destination.
You need to draw a map to your vision of success with the steps and paths you’ll take along the way. Put not only what but when, and how you’ll reach your endpoint.
Be Realistic
You don’t want to work toward a goal that’s too hard to achieve or worse, impossible. Make sure to do thorough research and be realistic about your expectations.
For example, you’re not likely going to start a business today and earn six figures by tomorrow. Or even your first year in business.
Look at the research and determine what is doable and how you’ll do it.
Be Timely
Every goal has to have a time limit otherwise you may never achieve it. Start at the end and work your way back to today.
Create a list of things to do each day to finally reach the end result. But, do set a time limit. You can adjust as you get into the project if it works to be more realistic.
But resist the urge to change the time because you’re not sticking to your task lists.
Now Create!
Keep these points in mind to create powerful goals that you can achieve.
You’ll reduce your failure chances because:
you can always adjust your timeline and your goals
you’ll learn as you move along in the process
The important thing is to give each goal a lot of thought, consideration, and study before setting it.
Goals are a sort-of road map on your life’s journey. You want them to be satisfying, yes. But you don’t want them to be too challenging.
In this first of a two part post GenuLines offers a map to guide you on a comfortable and rewarding trip!
How to Set Powerful Goals You Can Achieve
Say you need a fresh start? O.K., you want to challenge yourself, but you don’t want to make things so tough that you fail.
First we’ll look inside, at the things that are important to you. And we’ll make sure that these goals are even doable.
Match Your Core Values
Start with four main areas in your life.
Family
Financial
Physical
Personal
The better you goal fits into one or more of these the more likely your goal is achievable.
If for some reason a goal doesn’t fit into one of your core values, it’s not likely you’ll experience much success.
Be 100 Percent in Control
Goals that rely on others are not necessarily wrong. But they can be harder to achieve.
A goal you control 100 percent is one that you can reach.
Make sure fear isn’t getting in your way. Be realistic about whether you do have control or not and give yourself more credit. And, don’t blame fate for your setbacks.
Don’t think you lack control over your financial future because “that’s just how it is,”
Be Able to Envision the Goal
If you can’t see the end result, it will be very difficult to move forward toward achieving the goal. If you need to draw a picture, make a vision board.
Or take a day off to fantasize about your big dreams. Imagine how it all fits together in the big picture of your life. You need to see the end to be able to achieve it.
Be Specific-Spell It Out
Every goal you set needs to be very exact in nature. If you want to be sure to reach the goal, you have to know when you’ve actually reached it. Instead of saying “I want to start a business,” state exactly what type of business you want to start.
Know who you want as your clients. Know all you can to make the goal more concrete.
So 2020 has arrived. You’ve looked forward to it. ‘Gonna make lots of changes. But will you actually make those changes?
GenuLines is here to take inventory of some of the most popular resolutions, and to add a few you may want to consider.
We begin with a look back at a GenuLines post from 2011
Ready..set..2020!
We’re off to the resolution races- lose 20 pounds, move to a nicer address, take that tropical vacation.
As we move into another year I know that many of us are asking: What is it that really matters this year?
Are your New Year’s resolutions about the small things–getting organized, losing weight, getting in shape, being a little kinder…or about something wider and deeper?
There’s nothing wrong with making small commitments, but are they enough for you and who you intend to become, what you know you must do in this world?
Or are you ready to step into something bigger and more radical–daring to fulfill your passion to evolve not only a better self but a better world and a more enlightened future?
May I suggest some inward inspection to start the process? Ask yourself:
What is happening in my life?
How is my health?
How is/are my relationship(s)? Really, how are they?
How are my finances?
Do I enjoy my work?
Just a few ideas to take care of the inner self so that the outer results might be more satisfying.
Happiness runs on a diet of success. That seems to make sense.
But GenuLines asks you to consider a different path to happiness.
Happiness Doesn’t Run On Success
It’s easy to simplify happiness and say that it’s obvious that successful people are happy. But if you interviewed 100 successful people you might find otherwise.
You can have wealth, great spouse and kids, and yet not be happy.
Turn the equation around and you find that happiness fuels success.
The Effect on Productivity
When people are happy with their work, they approach it more with a more cheerful attitude (some say they’d do it for nothing) When you have good health, food, and shelter you can find joy doing the most mundane things.
You focus on outcomes instead of effort.
The Bottom Line
Certain companies offer living wages, benefits, and flexible schedules. This can result in higher profits for the employer.
When people feel respected they’re likely happier about work, even when it’s hard.
Stability
When people are happy, they tend to be a lot more stable. They stick to tasks longer, and are more likely to complete an assignment.
They tend to job hop a lot less, too. This is one reason smart employers know that by making work a happy place they can reduce turnover.
A Better Work Ethic
People often think of work ethic as something that grows out of adversity. Happy people tend to stick to their jobs longer and work even harder.
They put their positive energy into envisioning the outcomes.
Don’t Bet on Wealth
An unhappy wealthy person may even be hateful. They seem to have everything but happiness.
Bank balances look good but don’t always make you feel good.
A New Attitude
It may surprise you but happiness can color your view of the world. You’ll see brighter outcomes regardless of your situation.
Staying In The Now
If you’re happy today you’re more likely to eat right, move more, get your work done, and do everything well. Of course, that can affect the future too.
Mindset
Still, doubt that happiness comes from your mindset? With some effort, you can train yourself to have a happier and more positive mindset.
This can work during tough times, too.
You can realize happiness now regardless of your life situation.
Accept that possibility while at the same time planning to make changes.
Happiness has a reputation for being elusive. Some would say it’s not even possible.
GenuLines offers you some points to consider as you do your own evaluation.
Is True Happiness Possible?
When your struggles get to be too much it’s easy to think that happiness is not even possible. The truth is there are different levels of happiness that you can experience in your life.
The process doesn’t move in a straight line. Your attitude is the difference maker.
Look Around You
It’s one thing to say that people can’t be happy unless they have their basic needs met. But there are people all around you who don’t have their needs met yet are very happy.
Studies of affluent people tend to show find they’re not happier than poor people in general.
It’s Not About Stuff
If you look at a list of the happiest countries in the world, you tend to find that being happy isn’t about owning things. Often the happiest people live in the poorest countries.
It’s common to find that the USA ranks in the teens on these lists. Stuff doesn’t guarantee happiness.
It’s Not Even About Goals
You may insist that it’s all about about reaching your goals. If you often say things like “I’ll be happy when…” then happiness may elude you.
You can be happy now, before you reach your goals.
It’s Not About Your Circumstances
Now, of course, some things in life can really get you down. But a happy disposition can serve you well.
You’ll be better able to navigate the murky water.
*Dr. Gillian Mandich is a well known name in this area. She believes that our circumstances account for only 10 percent of our happiness.
Happiness is about accepting that you can experience it and understanding it’s meaning. A happy person isn’t going to be the same level of happy 24/7, 365 days a year.
Think about cancer sufferers who manage to have a happy attitude. Or children around the world who don’t get enough to eat.
Be in that state of mind and you can be happy, too.
If you’re celebrating Christmas today you’re probably in close proximity to angels. We see them on decorations, greeting cards, and tree ornaments.
Do you know that the majority of North Americans believe angels are real? In this interview we hear from Corin Grillo. She says angels are real, and they’re standing by to help you in your daily life.
Corin Grillo is the author of The Angel Experiment: A 21-Day Magical Adventure to Heal Your Life.
Click on below to hear the interview. And, enjoy your holiday!
Your happiness level isn’t what you’d like it to be. Someone in your circle suggests that you should think positive thoughts. That’s the answer, or so it seems.
Today GenuLines looks at happiness as more than just staying in a positive mindset.
Happiness Is More Than Thinking Positive Thoughts
The dictionary defines happiness as “the state of being happy.” Not a lot of information to go on there.
Let’s look at some different things that happiness can be. But realize that in truth, happiness is in the mind of the beholder.
Your Needs are Met
When a person is happy, they usually aren’t wanting for much. It doesn’t mean that they’re not having a tough time.
Rather, they’re making what they have fill their needs.
You feel satisfied
When you’re happy you tend to feel satisfied with your life. You think about your life and feel good about your good fortune.
This could include your living space, your life partner, or the fact that you live alone.
Contentment is a hallmark of happy people. Whether it’s their job, home, health, or things in general.
Happy people do experience stress. But they have a way of drawing on their contentment when things are less than perfect.
You Are at Peace
A happy person often feels a lot of peace surrounding their life and family. They tend to know that everything will turn out okay.
They’re pretty good at turning negativity into positivity.
Your Definition
You can set your own definition of happiness. It’s not necessarily about getting tons of stuff.
It’s not about finding a spouse unless you want that. Or about having kids, unless you want that.
It’s a Journey
Happiness isn’t a destination where you’ll forever dwell. It’s a lifelong journey that will have many ups and downs and struggles.
Still, you manage to feel good about it.
In the 1989 movie “Parenthood”, one of the main characters is a struggling mother. She says she loves “the roller-coaster” of life.
Her husband, though, is struggling and not as happy. He focuses on the downs instead of the ups.
It’s How You Act
When you’re happy your actions lean toward the positive. You eat better, you move more, you think better thoughts.
Know that you have it in your power to be happy where you are in your life right now.
Thinking positive thoughts is not the be-all and end-all of happiness. It’s having your needs met, yes.
But it’s not about having everything, or even the best. It’s about being satisfied with what you have while also being able to work toward the things you want.
It starts with your thoughts. And it manifests with your actions.
Today we look at the idea of happiness. It would take a lot more space than we have here to completely cover the subject.
Today GenuLines zeroes in on how a happy attitude can be a boost for your health.
Happiness Can Improve Your Health
Happiness is an important ingredient in a healthy life. Studies find that happiness plays a big part in good health.
This ranges from living a healthy lifestyle to reducing chronic pain.
Happier people are about twice as likely to eat fresh vegetables than unhappy folks. This is a much healthier option than a diet high in processed foods.
Better eating habits translate into more energy. Keep in mind that negativity or sadness can drain the energy from your body
Boosts Immunity
Feeling happy also helps boost immunity. In one study researchers actually gave the cold virus to a group of people.
Those who said they’re happy were three times less likely to suffer cold symptoms!
Lessens Stress
If you’re happy, you’ll have a lot less to keep you up at night, to worry about, so you’ll end up with less stress. But that’s not all.
Happy people tend to report less stress even in stressful situations.
Protects Cardiovascular Health
Eating better and moving more combined with your happiness, also boosts cardiovascular health. You’re less likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke. or other heart health and cardiovascular issues.
Increases Longevity
Eating right, exercising more and feeling great about life can mean living longer. One long-term longevity study tracked the lives of 32,000 people.
It’s not surprising that the happy people tended to live 14 percent longer.
Diminishes Pain
Happiness benefits extended to chronic pain sufferers, too. Happy people tend to deal better with their pain.
This extended to other illnesses as well.
When you’re happy, you’re more likely to eat right, drink enough water, and move. Don’t be surprised if being in better spirits means being more active.
Change your mindset and watch how you change your level of happiness. Your happiness has little to do with your circumstances.
It has everything to do with how you react to them.
Self-belief makes you unstoppable. Don’t believe it?
Allow GenuLines to offer you a little reminder of how this works.
The Power of Self-Belief
You’ve heard it before. If you believe in yourself, there’s little to stop you in whatever your pursuits.
It gives you the power to push forward and to defy the odds. You’ll be able to handle any roadblocks that come your way.
And you’ll brush off the naysayers.
It gives you peace of mind when you stick to your self-belief. To keep that self-belief strong, you need to define your goals.
You wouldn’t expect a general to fight a war without a map. You too need a map to guide you on how to proceed.
Too many people skip this step and wonder why they aren’t getting anywhere. Goals are your guidance, but carrying through with them is only done when you believe that it’s possible.
This belief is the energy you need to take action.
It helps you to focus on getting your tasks completed. You’ll also build confidence when you have self-belief.
It’s a powerful tool that will attract others to your confidence.
They’ll follow your lead, and you’ll help show them what is possible. When you run into any stumbling blocks (and you will), that confidence will help you see them through.
You’ll know how to take alternative action when necessary. The people following you will respect that as well. Several forces will try to beat you down.
You may even find yourself letting it happen.
You need to get centered on why you started your journey in the first place. Use affirmations to reinforce your message.
Be consistent with your affirmations
Unfortunately, many of the negative forces are going to be from your family and friends. They will see it as helping you avoid mistakes.
Many people will succumb to this negative pressure and give up. One way to prevent this is to join groups of like-minded individuals.
These can be connections to your business. Or they can be groups that focus on self-help.
These organizations exist to try and push the negative forces out. It’s great to go to meetings and get encouragement from the group.
These associations can lead to friendships that help you encourage each other. You may even form business partnerships from these friendships.
It’s good to know that you have this kind of support. They understand when everyone else around you doesn’t.
Business magnate Richard Branson says he’s “passionate about lists.” What’s on your lists?
GenuLines suggests making a list that proclaims your gratitude.
Make a List of Everything You Are Grateful For
You may forget the little things that you’re grateful for in your life. But, if you keep them in plain sight, it can help you reinforce your gratitude.
So why not write them down, and keep them close by?
If you find yourself overwhelmed by negative feelings, refer to your list. It can serve as a way to reset your negativity.
Think of all the things you’re grateful for and start listing them. If you get stuck, think about the people in your life.
Who gives you happy thoughts?
List the aspects of what those people do to make you happy. If you love the way your spouse smiles at you, write that down.
It can be something simple, such as reading the newspaper on the train. The point is, no item is too small to add to the list.
Do you love the jokes that the server tells you when you get your cup of coffee and your muffin? That goes on the list, too.
Your list should never be complete as you will find new experiences and people to add to it. Each day, there is potential for people to make a small difference in your life.
But, remember that you make differences in other peoples’ lives as well.
Try to make those experiences more positive than negative. If people around you bring you down either avoid them or try to help them to be more positive.
If you are the one bringing people down, you need to try and reverse this.
The list will be a big factor in helping you. Negative and bitter feelings stem from not appreciating your life and all the things in it.
That’s one reason why keeping a list is so important.
You can choose to write this list on a piece of paper, or keep it on an electronic device. It doesn’t matter how you store it, but you want it to be accessible.
Commit to reading it and make regular updates to it. Add to it as you find more things that you are grateful for in your life.
Maintaining this list could be the basis for a book that you write about appreciating your life. By publishing your list, you may help others do the same.
Reading your ideas might spark them to be grateful, too.