Episode 5: Achieving Your Dreams:
I'm your host, lauren denny. Setting goals is like setting the destination on a GPS - it gives us direction and purpose in our journey of life. But just like any journey, reaching our goals requires planning, determination, and a sprinkle of motivation to keep us going.
The first step in goal planning is to dream big. Set really big audacious goals. The massive goal may seem unattainable at first, but remember, you’re going to have a ton of smaller goals met along the way.
If you set achieveable goals right off the bat, you’re putting a hard cap on yourself, and you never know what your full potential will even be. so make massive dreams and let’s Visualize what you want to achieve, who you will be when you get there, what it will look and feel like along the way.
your brain is really quite dumb.. you can trick it into believing something, whatever you tell it. so tell it you‘re lucky and that good things come your way, and your brain starts looking for all the good fortune that is in your direction. Trick your brain into seeing these goals as being achievable by telling yourself that you have already done it. “i am a homesteader, I am a champion.”
Once you have a clear vision of your goals, it's time to break them down into smaller, actionable steps. Remember the words of Lao Tzu, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."
Each step you take brings you closer to your destination, so focus on progress, not perfection. this is where you can be achieving all your little goals that you get to be proud of, you set the foundation for who you need to become to achieve that really big Audacious goal.
These small steps is where the magic happens. because you’re starting to keep your word to yourself by doing actionable tasks. I could not run a mile, but ask me to jog for 15 seconds, and then 30 seconds, and then a minute, and then 1/2 a mile...and I gradually worked up to a mile.
When you choose small steps towards your goals, you are starting to build the confidence in yourself that you are worthy and capable of big things!! If you’re like me, I tend to revert back to old habits when things get tough, I take one day off, and then a second day, and next thing I know it’s a week and a month and then I feel like I failed and i am too far gone.
what it comes down to is I broke my own promise to myself.
I told myself I would do something and I didn’t follow through, but maybe that’s because I wasn’t honest with my true starting point, or the step was too large at first. so now what I do is... acknowledge that this is going to be a busy season of my life, I am not able to commit to the same 5x a week work out session that i usually can... so I am going to do 2x a week. I don’t say, this is going to be the last time I overload myself with food, now I say, I am going to give myself once a week or a month, or whatever it is to snack during that specific time... so that it’s never an all or nothing approach.
when it is an all or nothing, I want it even more and then break my own code of conduct with myself.
Now, let's talk about staying motivated along the way. It's natural to encounter obstacles and setbacks, but it's how we deal with them that defines our success.
As Thomas Edison famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and keep moving forward. not failing is a failure.I am often afraid of other’s think, or letting them down.so I have been working on changing my perspective, that if i don’t do it, then that’s a failure. now it’s becoming a motivator, it’s just an attempt. even if i fail, i still made so many milestones along the way to that goal and now know what I need to do to adjust and make that goal next time.
Let’s look at powerlifting, when you’re at a meet, you need to get 3 white lights to count as a good lift, if you don’t you can go to the judge and ask for feedback, usually it’s a small tweak and then you have 3 attempts to make that lift again. so missing one time does not mean it’s the end, just edjust and move on.
surround yourself with your energy. that way, when you’re scrolling online, or looking around your office, you only see what you need. it’s something you see everyone doing, it becomes a new norm.
your work will go unseen. but you’ll be ready when opportunities come your way. you’re not always going to be motivated... so surround yourself around the things you see and hear that almost make it feel weird if people aren’t chasing the dream you’re chasing...
meaning, i fill my social pages with other accounts who are fitness enthusiests, or motivation, or homestead accounts so when I don’t feel like going on my work out, and I scroll on social, boom there’s an account of someone doing pull-ups... and another running and well gosh everyone is working out... why am I not. another is your family, a friend, get someone to work out with you. join a mom group, it’s hard to do it alone.
Another key aspect of goal setting is accountability. Share your goals with others who can support and encourage you on your journey.
As Zig Ziglar once said, "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.. I often talk about this in business and growing your social media account... everyone had to start at zero followers, they had to grow it, but if you don’t take the first step... nothing will happen.
these are Common challenges in goal setting (procrastination, lack of motivation, fear of failure) Importance: Surround yourself with positivity and let the support of others propel you towards success.
My biggest support is my husband, we monitor one another, talk each other into going to the gym even when we don’t want to. Finally, celebrate your achievements along the way.
Each milestone reached is a testament to your hard work and dedication. Take pride in how far you've come and let it fuel your determination to keep pushing forward. review periodically check things off your list half way through the year at year’s end.
Different types of measurements (quantitative vs. qualitative). I hate the scale, I wonder if you do as well.. it’s both a good thing and not so good, because it’s a term of measurement but also, knowing that my pants fit better is also a form of measurement that the scale does not always represent.
so remember, use them as a guide, and the things that get monitored, get changed.
As we come to the end of today's episode, I want to leave you with one last quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be."
So, take charge of your destiny, set your goals, and make your dreams a reality. Build your confidence & belief in yourself, by doing what you say you’re going to do.
Thank you for tuning in to Denny Talks.
Remember, no dream is too big and no goal is too small. Until next time, keep striving for greatness.