There is truly no greater gift you can give yourself than setting a goal. When you set a goal, you are positioning yourself for transformation. You are pushing yourself to evolve. You are proclaiming your worth. You are investing in you and taking a huge step towards the life of your dreams.
It sounds SO good, right?
But as soon as you set a goal, your brain screams, “STOP!!!”
See, your brain is conditioned to keep you safe and confined to your comfort zone because anything outside of your comfort zone is perceived as danger. Your brain still operates like you are a cave person and anything new or foreign is most likely going to kill you.
Trying out for the tennis team = DANGER
Asking for a raise at work = DANGER
Reaching out to a certain someone for a date = DANGER
Setting a fitness goal = DANGER
You might be laughing as you read those, but this is truly how your brain is programmed. It hasn’t evolved enough to realize that rejection is not equivalent to death. That embarrassment won’t actually cause physical pain. That failure is a chance to learn versus a life sentence.
So, when setting a goal, you need to be prepared that you will be working against your human programming. Nothing has gone wrong when fear, doubt and anxiety creep in. This actually means you’re on the right path.
A goal should bring up those uncomfortable human emotions and it should push you out of your comfort zone. This is where positive change happens - when we are pushing ourselves to become the best versions of ourselves.
The key is to not let those feelings stop you from taking action. Acknowledge them. Allow them to be there. But do NOT let them derail you. They can come along for the ride, but when setting a goal, belief in yourself must be in the driver’s seat. Anxiety, doubt, fear, nerves…expect them. Welcome them. And then keep moving forward in spite of them. Let your belief in YOU take the wheel.
Test it out for yourself.
In a recent post, I encouraged you to make a list of 25 things you want (click here if you missed my fun assignment on how to determine what you want).
From that list, pick one to will be your goal. The one you will crush, conquer, achieve, and celebrate.
Now, check in with yourself.
Does it seem scary?
Does it seem impossible?
Do you doubt your ability to know HOW to do it?
Do a million thoughts come to mind about why you shouldn’t do it?
If the answer to all of the above is yes, then we are on the right track. While you might not believe you know HOW to accomplish it, you do believe in you (if not, we should chat). For now, just get intimately acquainted with that belief in yourself. That belief is the foundation to making all your dreams come true.
Because the truth about goal setting is this – achieving your goal is AMAZING. But the true gift is the person you become on the journey to achieving it. The real reward is the evolution that occurs when you choose to bet on you. To believe in you. Despite the fear and doubt.
Enjoy the ride xo
