Dec 27, 2022
Today’s episode is all about
brainy goals — how to set them and think about them to put you on a
path to success, instead of inadvertently setting yourself up to
fail. Now, you would never intentionally set up goals that won’t
work out, but our brains are programmed in a way that makes it so
we consistently stack the cards against ourselves. We try to do too
much, spread ourselves too thin, rely on willpower to get us
through, and don’t understand the importance that tiny habits play
in our ability to accomplish big things.
At this time of year (this is
the second to last episode before we close out 2022) most people
are thinking about planning and what the next year will bring for
them. How things will be different, what they want to accomplish,
what habits they want to change if they will plan resolutions (and
if so...what they are), and the like. That’s why I decided to
refresh this episode from 2019 right now. It felt like the perfect
way to end the year, especially in light of this coming Friday’s
topic! That episode is a panel of sorts that incorporates expert
advice on how to have a happier 2023 and set your year up for
success.
So to get you in the right
mindset preparing for that, and just because it is probably
something you are already thinking about right now, it felt like
the right time to talk about goals. I get a lot done — two podcast
episodes a week, a weekly newsletter, two books in less than two
years, teaching and creating my courses for Texas A&M,
speaking, consulting, and still having time for an enjoyable life
with my family. The only way that is possible is by tackling and
thinking about goals in a brainy way. Listen in to hear all my tips
and tricks.
Show Notes:
- [00:23] Today’s episode is all
about brainy goals — how to set them and think about them to put
you on a path to success, instead of inadvertently setting yourself
up to fail.
- [05:17] We all have goals and
are all optimistic that we will achieve them someday. The truth is
that if you don’t set your goals up correctly there is a good
chance life will move too fast and you won’t achieve what you are
capable of.
- [05:52] There are three main
tips for setting and achieving brainy goals. Define your goals and
limit them to know more than three. Break down the path to
achieving those goals into small steps. Say no to everything
else.
- [07:11] The opposite of
distraction is traction.
- [09:55] Step one is to limit
and set your goals. You first need to list out every goal you would
like to accomplish in the next 5, 10, or 50 years.
- [10:48] Now you have to pick
three. If they make sense to combine and make the goal a little
more amazing that’s okay but make sure it’s
logical.
- [12:07] Your brain doesn’t like
change. It is scared of it. Keeping you stuck and dwelling on
making things perfect or being really sure are tactics by your
brain to delay change.
- [14:06] It is important to
declare and own those top goals so that everyone in your life knows
what is most important and is on board with that.
- [16:47] Melina shares a story
about her taking a walk with her husband to the mailbox and Puerto
Vallarta.
- [19:25] We are sticking with
goals and priorities we set in a cold state because they are what
matter in our life.
- [20:53] Once you know what
those top three are the next step is to break each of those three
goals into the small steps it will take to get
there.
- [22:54] You can’t do it all at
once. There are a few ways you can break those down. One way I
recommend is breaking the big lifetime into subgoals for the
year.
- [24:33] Start small with the
thing that is impossible to justify not doing.
- [26:17] Every goal is reached
in lots of small steps. Goals are the sum of all the effort it took
to get there. If you don’t plan for the small steps they won’t
happen.
- [26:49] Remind your brain of
the top three as much as possible in as many different ways as you
possibly can.
- [28:17] You need to be
incredibly particular about what you surround yourself with in your
life, in your life, and everywhere.
- [30:49] Reminding your
subconscious of your goals as often as possible will help keep you
on track.
- [31:14] Determine what three
things are really important to you. Shout them from the rooftops
and put every single egg in their baskets.
- [27:41] Melina’s closing
thoughts
Thanks for listening. Don’t
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show.
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