(Un)controllable goals, Developing in-depth curiosity and Discipline - the Sport of Champions.

Can we get to the good part already?

You have jotted down a list of things you want to achieve for the year 2023.

And while that is a good thing, your list of goals may just be setting you up for failure.

Let me tell you in 2 simple sentences how your goals can set you up for failure.

1. Goals are definite steps you can take to achieve your dreams. Goals are definite actions you can take to make certain your dreams are actualised.

2. There are two types of goals. Controllable goals and uncontrollable goals. Controllable goals are goals whose actualisation are within your power I.e for these goals to come to pass, the whole power is on you.

Uncontrollable goals are goals whose actualisation depends on other people to come into reality. That is, the whole power of making the dream come to pass is not on you. It depends on other people. When it comes to setting your goals, your goals should consist only of controllable goals.

Your goal to get 10 awards this year is not a goal. It is a dream. (You can’t gift yourself 10 awards)

Your goal to make N1 million this year is not a goal, it is a dream.?

However, setting a goal to write more content that would earn awards is a goal. Setting a plan to take more action that would earn you Employee of the month is a goal. Setting a goal to close 20 clients to land the N1 million is a goal.

The difference is where the power lies. (Where the control lies)

For a goal to be a definite goal, the defining power to achieve it should be on you.

On the issue of Discipline:

You can set the most beautiful of goals but they will be just that - beautiful goals if you do not have the discipline to back it up.

In achieving discipline, the trick is to do the necessary things when they need to get done. Whether you feel like it or not. Whether you want to do it or not.

I would borrow words from Shane Parrish, Host of The Knowledge Project:

The biggest generator of long-term results is learning to do things when you don't feel like doing them.

If you let excuses or emotion drive behaviour, you're cheating your future self.

Create a boring routine that allows you to hit your goals consistently. Create a system of actions where you do not second guess whether you should stick to your goals or not.

Doing the necessary things whether you feel like it or not or whether you want to do it or not, sets you apart from 99% of other people.

On the Issue of Finances:

I tend to liken Finances to a bucket. A bucket can carry your water but where it is leaking, it can never fill up to the point you want it to.

Your finances is like a bucket. No matter how much you earn or put inside, if it is leaking, you would never get to the point you want to reach in your finances.

For this year 2023, it is not enough to plan to earn higher. You must equal close leaking holes where your finances goes away.

This can be done by taking better financial decisions. It can be done by avoiding unnecessary expenses. It can be done by being intentional with investments. Don’t invest in what you are not certain of.

A random thought from me:

How curious do you get? This is not limited to the ‘oh, I never knew that’

I mean in-depth curiosity that has the capacity to ignite your passion.?

What is your attitude towards new concepts, new ideas you are not aware of? Do you add them to your category or new things I saw and learnt today?

The secret to your growth lies in your curiosity. The things you wonder about, the things you ask ‘why’, the things that leaves more questions than answers in your mind, those are your super powers.

Find yourself in your curiosity.

P.S: Let's stop seeing life as a Sprint. Let's see it instead as a marathon. You are allowed to fall down. You are allowed to go the wrong path. You are allowed to make mistakes. And most importantly, you can still get on track.

P.S.S: Hope you are heavy on removing negativity around you this 2023?

In Sincerity,

Osinachi Akanegbu,

Somewhere in Africa!