It is Time to Set *Real* Goals Again
Recently, I was quoted in an article on marthastewart.com entitled,?10 Habits of Highly Productive People – and How to Build Them into Your Routine. Quite the keyword-rich title, huh?
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I have been interviewed by journalist?Nashia Baker?in prior years, and I remember her contacting me for a couple of quotes for this article. I replied to her email with some pithy statements that I, honestly, didn’t spend too much time pontificating over.
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So, when I read the final post, I was kind of impressed with myself. Well, that, or Nashia just made me sound really smart. Potayto, potahto.
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Habit #7 on the list was one of these surprisingly smart statements:
Since the pandemic began, goal setting has been especially difficult for me. The goals I set in 2020 went to heck in a handbasket, and I am still getting over the fatigue and trauma of the past few years.
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I distrust…time. I am giving the Universe the side eye. I flare my nostrils, clench my jaw, and wonder what will be thrown at our species this year.
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And this distrust has turned my?love affair with setting goals?into a bitter memory of an abusive relationship.
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I am afraid. I am afraid of another metaphorical smack down. I am afraid to make big plans or dream big dreams.
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So, I am focused on the ground in front of me. I am watching my feet take baby steps forward. I nervously scout the earth for sinkholes and have no desire to gaze at any mountaintops in the distance.
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I don’t blame myself for my apprehension. I have good reason to be concerned. However, to be authentically?me, I need to recommit to the goal setting process I value and credit with my success. I need to show courage.
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Courage is elevating my gaze toward the horizon.
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Courage is trusting that I am strong enough to recover from a stumble.
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Courage is a steady jog toward that mountaintop in the distance.
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My goals recently have been vague and unchallenging. This is the opposite of everything I know about goal setting theory and practice.
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<<Deep breath>>
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It is time.
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It is time to swipe right on goal setting.
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Setting specific, challenging goals is hard. Committing to and tracking progress toward those goals is hard. Sharing my goals with an?accountability partner?is hard.
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It is time to do it anyway.
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Melissa Gratias (pronounced “Gracious”) used to think that productivity was a result of working long hours. And, she worked a lot of hours. Then, she learned that productivity is a skill set, not a personality trait. Now, Melissa is a productivity expert who coaches and trains other businesspeople to be more focused, balanced, and effective. She is a prolific writer and speaker who travels the world helping people change how they work and improve how they live. Contact her at?[email protected]?or 912-417-2505.?Sign up to receive her productivity tips via email.