When did you last feel that buzz of knowing that no matter what, you would achieve something?
You may have had no idea of how to do it, you just know that one way or another you will achieve that goal.
We all start off somewhere, and we are all beginners at something. Look at athletes who win gold medals and become champions. They started out as a beginner at some stage with no knowledge. It was the guidance, path, determination and belief that got them there.
Whatever the motivation is for achieving something, sheer determination is a big component.
I have had many experiences of ‘I will achieve this’ whether it is reaching a sales goal, writing a book, or something I have no idea of how to do. One of my crazy personal goals was to bring my Grandmother’s fragile antique chair over from England with minimal cost and undamaged. Success, I got the chair halfway across the world at no cost!!!
There are several ways we can work on our most ambitious goals. But before we go into that, do you actually believe is it possible for you to personally to achieve it? Do you feel you are capable, motivated and desire it enough? Do you really believe you can achieve it in the first place?
Do you believe it is possible?
In a great TED Talk, Stephan Duneier opens the presentation with how to become an amazing artist. This really works, I have used this example to help others who really want to draw something and feel that it is beyond their ability. He asks viewers if they could draw a pencil portrait of Brad Pitt. Most people believe that this is beyond their skill level. Then he asks, “Can you draw just one small black square?”. Most people believe, yes, they are capable of drawing one small black square. However, he goes on to show the audience that a portrait is built from many small squares.
At what point does disbelief become belief or that belief becomes disbelief from drawing one small black square to a full-blown portrait? When do we become motivated and inspired enough to realize that something is possible?
Where does the disbelief set in? Is it at the beginning, end, or part way along? Does it become something that we feel is too much effort, not worth it, or feel that we don’t deserve to have that level of talent?
When does disbelief become belief?
A couple of months ago, I took my daughter’s dog for a walk. It started off as a walk, then became a jog, and then before I knew it, I had run 6 miles. I have never run 6 miles before, and I sure didn’t start off thinking “I’m going to run 6 miles today”. I started with, “I’m taking the dog for a walk”. It was literally, just one small step and then a series of small, yet profound choices and decisions.
Decide to take the first step
The key to achieving an ambitious goal is not necessarily to think of the big goal overall, as this can be overwhelming and create an ‘I’ll do this when I have more time syndrome.’ Just decide to take the first step. Break the goal down into its simplest form and make small adjustments along the way. Commit to do just one thing.
Move forward – step by step or square by square, from what we know we can do, to what we want to achieve. It’s important to know the reason why you want to achieve it, but at this stage, just commit to starting.
Watch the Stephan Duneier’s inspiring Ted Talk, it is only 17 minutes long and it could make a difference of how you manage your ambitious goals and actually achieve them. I have given the link to make it possible to watch, so no excuses!
How to Achieve Your Most Ambitious Goals | Stephen Duneier | TEDxTucson
Tell me your ambitious goals no matter how big or small you feel they are. Share what you want to achieve. Letting others know what you want to achieve makes it feel more real, and now there is some form of accountability to others.
Explain what you want to be held accountable for. It could be as simple as I want to text you each week and let you know my progress. Understand that it might not be as straight forward and that there might be some hurdles to overcome.
Share some of your concerns as well as your excitement of what you think might be some of the challenges along the way. You can also use social media too if that helps. I know I have shared my intensions on social media because now it is public knowledge of what I want to achieve and I don’t want to lose face. Others will cheer you along and can be helpful. Ask for help if you need it. It’s not about the skill or talent, it’s about deciding to take the first step
10 Small Steps to reaching ambitious goals
- Decide what do you want to do
- Commit to just start it
- Break it down to the simplest form
- Decide to take the 1st step.
- Know what you are capable right now
- When you have completed the first step what is the next “first step”
- Remember to ask for help. Who might you need to reach out to for help
- Make small adjustments along the way
- Learn as you go along
- Keep going, stay on the path, no stopping
My colleague runs a Karate Dojo and is a blackbelt. When his students are beginners, they see the goal of being a blackbelt, but it seems so far to reach. We don’t start off being a blackbelt, it takes a lot of training, stamina and physical work.
Stay on the path
There is a pathway to get from beginner to blackbelt, and as long as we stay on the path, eventually the goal is reached. It starts with a series of basic moves building the stamina and the muscles along with the criteria to reach that very first belt color to be awarded.