If you have ever tried to do something from a distracted or unmotivated state of mind, you can probably recall how much more difficult the action seemed. You may have even procrastinated for a time before moving forward, and when you finally did act, the results you got from those actions were probably not as impressive as you’d hoped. On the other hand, if you have ever approached action from a focused, determined state of mind, your results were undoubtedly better and the actions themselves probably seemed much easier.
When you want to achieve a task or a goal, there are three key considerations to think about before you attempt to move forward with action steps.
The first is clarity. What exactly do you want to achieve? Of course, this would include the outer results you want to create, but also consider the person you will become through the achievement of them. It could be argued that success is not about the outer results at all, but rather the personal growth and development that you experience as a result of the journey.
Grab a notebook and pen, and answer these questions:
- What are the outer results I want to achieve?
- Which qualities and skills would I need to achieve these results?
- Do I have these qualities and skills now?
- If not, how can I develop them?
Your answers to these questions will show you clearly where you stand now, where you want to end up, and whether or not you are ready to begin moving in that direction.
The next important thing to consider is your intention. Without a strong intention to achieve a certain result, you are more likely to hesitate, procrastinate, or give up too early. To determine the strength of your intention, jot down your answers to these questions:
- How important is this goal to me?
- Why do I want it?
- Am I willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it?
- How can I keep my motivation strong if it begins to waver?
If you find that your intention isn’t strong at first, perhaps because of self-doubt or worry, you can easily strengthen it by spending a few minutes each day thinking about your desired outcome and saying to yourself, “I know that this outcome is possible for me, and I intend to receive it now.” Feel the strength of your intention in your heart, in your bones, in the deepest part of you. Know that it will come to pass. Then imagine moving forward with full confidence that your success is assured. Imagine yourself achieving the goal with ease, smiling and feeling great about it.
The completion of these first two steps will prepare you for what comes next, which is action. You will know exactly what you want to achieve, you will have a clear picture of the person you will become through the process, and you will have a powerful, unwavering intention to make it happen. From this focused state of mind, you will have a clear understanding of which steps will get you there, and you will not hesitate to take those steps quickly and decisively.
