Whooohooo! We did it!!!
Wait. You are probably wondering what we did.
Exactly one year ago, I committed to writing one blog article weekly for one year (despite everyone telling me I was nuts).
This post marks the 52nd article, so it’s kind of a big deal.
Most importantly, thank you for being here. I know your time is valuable, and I hope you have gained insight that has improved your world in some small way.
(And please email me back and let me know because I love hearing from you.)
So to honor this momentous occasion, here are the seven key ingredients to help you make any of your goals happen.
Ingredient # 1: Know what you want, why you want it, and how to get there
Know what you want to achieve and be as specific as possible so that you have a target in mind and know when you have hit that target.
Read How to Know Your Next Step Forward or watch this free training for more.
Most importantly, what is your true purpose in achieving this? Why do you want this to happen?
How will it positively impact your life or the lives of others?
Make sure you care about achieving your goal.
Because if not, don’t even bother. It’s not worth it to do something that doesn’t hold significant meaning, and you don’t love.
A compelling purpose will help motivate you to continue moving forward. And if your reason is beyond yourself, you will find the genuine drive and fulfillment that will encourage you to take action.
Pro Tip: Post your reason in a visible place to help motivate you. It can be a post-it, on your screen saver, on your fridge, or in any visible location.
Last but certainly not least, make sure you have a plan to get there. If you don’t, it’s like setting sail across the Atlantic without a map, hoping you will wind up in the right place.
Read How to Get Sh*t Done and Ready. Set. Goals. (free training here) for more.
Ingredient #2: Make it non-negotiable
Let me tell you a little story. I never thought I would become vegan in a million years. I loved a great cheeseburger, but it became a decision to eat animals or still be alive.
So you can imagine that when I became vegan, it was non-negotiable. If asked, “do you eat meat?” It was an easy no.
One day after I was healthy again, I visited Japan, where my love of great sushi persuaded me to start eating fish and eggs “sometimes.”
I convinced myself this was okay because I would still eat vegan “when I can.” Life’s all about compromise. Right?
Except, I slowly slipped into the habit of bringing more and more fish into my diet.
So, why did this happen?
Because each time was a negotiation, I would convince myself it was okay, “just this time.”
What is the point here?
When you have made a non-negotiable decision, that is what you do because there is no choice. Therefore, it’s an easy decision.
For example, the goal of writing this blog was a non-negotiable decision. I was writing it each week, and that was final.
Did I want to write it every week?
Definitely no.
I will say that there were many weeks when zero part of me wanted to create a blog. But I did. Because it was not a question, it was a commitment.
So make your goals non-negotiable so that you show up daily with determination. Make it easy on yourself to fiercely commit because you deserve it.
What will it take for you to commit to showing up 1000%?
Do you need a better reason why it’s important? An accountability partner? What will it take?
If you are struggling here, read How to Develop Habits (you’ll actually stick to) or watch the free training for more.
Ingredient #3: Just start
Writing my first-ever blog post felt like an enormous weight. I did not know where or how to start. Sound familiar?
Maybe you feel frozen and are afraid to start something new.
You may be thinking, How do I start? What do I do?
Or if you are your brand, maybe it’s, What do I say? How much of my life should I share? How vulnerable should I get? What will people think? What if no one even sees this? What if they do see it and judge me?
All of those feelings are valid. Putting yourself out there can feel like a lot.
Just recognize that anything worthwhile feels scary because it’s important to you.
But did you know that fear and excitement are the same emotion?
So how can you reframe your fear, acknowledge your excitement, and start this incredible goal?
And if you get stuck, remember why you want to do this in the first place.
Are you trying to help people in some way? Do you want to share your compelling message? Restart your ignition by remembering why this matters.
And I get it. You have never done this before. Trust that you will learn what works best for you in time.
Now, it’s time to embrace resistance, stop procrastinating, overcome your fear, and start taking action.
Read How to embrace resistance to move forward (free training here), 5 Steps to Stop Procrastinating (free training here) or 5 Steps to Overcome Fear and Take Action (free training here) for more.
Ingredient #4: Consistency is key
Consistently following through builds credibility, trust, confidence, and momentum.
So how do you do this?
1. Focus on what’s important by following the Pareto Principle, where 20% of the work will account for 80% of the results.
Identify the 20% of tasks that will be most impactful and prioritize those.
Always remember that less is more. It’s better to focus your energy on one goal, platform, or task at a time to gain the most impact.
Read Focus on What Matters or watch the free training for more.
2. Schedule and block time in your calendar while maximizing your “flow state” to ensure your essential goals happen.
And since it takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds to return to your original focus after being interrupted, protect your time by avoiding distractions.
Read How to Plan Your Day for Success (free training here) and How to Get in the Flow State to Boost Creativity (free training here) for more.
3. Reflect and consistently check in with your original plan while being flexible so you can make adjustments as needed. And always celebrate your wins to recognize what is working, so you maintain motivation to continue your progress.
Read Developing Goals You’ll Stick to (free training here), How to Hit Your Goals Consistently and How to Know Your Next Steps to Success (free training here) for more.
Ingredient #5: Progress is perfection
Bringing us to this. Your first try is not going to be perfect.
(Gulp, I know it’s hard to swallow. Especially for us perfectionists.)
Your hundredth try also won’t be perfect.
It won’t ever be perfect because nothing ever is.
That’s right. Nothing is perfect.
It is good news because it means you don’t have to worry. Just do your best and always strive for excellence.
Sometimes you will have a better outcome than others. And that’s okay (and normal too).
Make progress, grow in the direction you want to go, and slowly, you will improve and master your craft over time. Progress is perfection. Growth is perfection, so give yourself grace and time to succeed.
Don’t let anything stop you from starting because it’s better done than perfect.
For example, I know my blogs are not “perfect,” but I do my best. I review these articles multiple times, and even after my editor reads them, I STILL find errors. Just do your best too.
Read How to Silence Negative Self Talk (free training here) and How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome (free training here) for more.
Ingredient #6: Have an excellent support system
Having a mentor who has been in your shoes is essential to success. Relying on this expertise will be a shortcut, helping you to avoid unnecessary mistakes.
I am so blessed and grateful to have POWERHOUSE mentors who have helped me along the way.
It has been essential. Always try to ask someone when you don’t know how to do something or have never done it before.
But keep in mind that only you know what is best for you. Even though someone else is the “expert,” it may not suit you.
So always listen to your gut and tap into your intuition if it is not resonating. In the end, you know what is right for you.
And that is okay.
But before dismissing an idea, ask yourself if this just feels uncomfortable because it is unfamiliar. Could you become open to trying to see a new possibility?
And if you need help in building your vision by creating a step-by-step strategy (you can actually stick to) email me the word PROGRAM to see if we are a good fit to work together.
Ingredient #7: Be patient and give time some time
I get it. You may feel like you will never achieve this goal or gain momentum.
You can.
Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it also may not take as long as you think, as long as you put in the work and are consistent.
Here is some perspective.
One year ago, I had zero online presence.
Today I have written 52 blog posts of over 100,000 words (that’s a book, folks!), conducted 40 live online trainings with thousands of comments and views, and have grown my engaged community to over 7,600 people.
It’s only been a year, and here we are.
As long as you are committed to where you want to go, you can always figure out how to get there.
And remember, the only way to fail is to quit.
You can create your dreams as long as you commit to making it work.
One tiny step every day will create your future. I realize that may be hard to envision but if you commit to your goal, imagine what your life will become in just one year.
Recap
You can achieve any realistic goal that you set your mind to with the right ingredients. Decide what you want and commit to following through consistently, and you can achieve what you set out to do.
Ingredient #1: Know what you want, why you want it, and how to get there
Ingredient #2: Make it non-negotiable
Ingredient #3: Just start
Ingredient #4: Consistency is key
Ingredient #5: Progress is perfection
Ingredient #6: Have an excellent support system
Ingredient #7: Be patient and give time some time
I look forward to you achieving all of the success you desire!
Believing in you! x
Michele
If you do need help in building your vision by creating a step-by-step strategy (you can actually stick to) email me the word PROGRAM to see if we are a good fit to work together.
