Use The '20 Ways' Approach To Conquer Your Goals This Year

By Douglas R Kruger

The '20 Ways' Approach to Conquering your Goals this Year

LIKE most people in their early twenties, my younger sister dreams - nay, hungrily yearns - to get her mittens on a new car.

Her current rust bucket does occasionally start when coaxed with a biscuit, but lacks air-conditioning, rendering all attempts at feminine elegance painstakingly difficult.

Speaker, author and trainer, Douglas R Kruger

You can't be the Belle of the ball as a ball of sweat.

I recommended she use the same approach I've been using recently, and which I'm implementing as my 'theme' for 2015.

It's an approach that features in just about every major book or course on creative thinking, speakers and trainers often recommend its use, and high-level players in a multitude of industries swear by it.

The 20 Ways Approach

Take a page and headline it with your goal, for instance: "Get a New Car this Year." Now see if you can come up with 20 different ways, 20 separate ideas and approaches, for achieving the goal.

My sister, for example, might start with '1. Grand Theft Auto,' and '2. Bank robbery.' Fair enough. But of course, that's only two. Eighteen more to go.

It Works Because it's Hard

It's the very fact that 20 is a demanding number that makes this approach so effective. The first five or six ideas will come quickly.

Thereafter, it becomes more challenging, and that's when the magic happens.

Often, as you force your way slowly into the realms of '11,' and '12,' you have moments of epiphany where you say things like, "I could actually do that!"

And perhaps even, "Why haven't I been doing that already?!"

You can also open your list to outside input. My wife, for instance, has no hesitation in telling me what else I should be doing.

This year, I've already created five of these '20 ways' lists.

They range from the lofty, 'How do I become one of the top practitioners in my field?' to the more pedestrian, 'How can I make my office a nicer place to work?'

In both cases, forcing my way through the creation of a full list of 20 was taxing, but richly rewarding.

Now do take note that you don't actually have to implement all 20 ideas in each case. The point is not so much to create a 'to-do' list as much as it is to create a 'what could be done?' prospective.

It's the richness and depth of thinking that you're after, and for that reason, don't judge your ideas too harshly. Let them flow.

Once you see which ideas are clearly superior, and implementable, you can pick and choose what will work for you.

Use it for Work-Place Projects

The approach is wonderfully agile in the sense that it needn't only be applied to personal goals.

If your division at work has a project to complete - or if you've been tasked with managing a large deliverable - creating a '20 ways to' list will focus your thinking and open you up to an innovative range of approaches that might have value.

So whether it's making your home more comfortable or raising your physical fitness. Whether it's growing your business or lusting after new wheels, there is always a way.

Chances are, it's hiding among 19 others.

Douglas Kruger is a professional speaker and author the books 'Own Your Industry - How to Position Yourself as an Expert,' and 'Relentlessly Relevant - 50 Ways to Innovate.'

See him in action at http://www.douglaskruger.co.za, tweet @douglaskruger, or email info@douglaskrugerspeaker.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8894585

Conquering Procrastination

By life coach Joshua Howard

TWO similar questions many people often ask me are "Why do I procrastinate?" or "Why can't I stop procrastinating?"

The answer is far simpler and far more complex than you may think at first - it sounds counter-intuitive, but you procrastinate in order to get something.

Pic courtesy of brainyquote.com

This something is usually a major emotional benefit like avoiding pain, failure, rejection.

Luckily though, you can figure out why you do something and get a better idea of your real motivation.

Psychologists call this a secondary benefit. So, to figure out why you procrastinate, ask yourself what you get out of it.

What is the point of procrastinating for you? What good does it do you to put your projects off? Do you enjoy the stress of impending deadlines? Do you fear imperfection?

Many people waste time by focusing on perfection. However, perfection is an illusion (particularly if you've never done something before..... how do you even know what 'perfect' is?!?).

If you have this problem, focus on 'good enough'. Create the item 'good enough' and then begin to tweak it if necessary.

More often than not, perfectionism is a veiled form of procrastination, wherein people try to make things perfect in order to never get rejected.

But face facts: when you deal with others, you're going to get rejected by some of them - and that's GOOD!

What? Yes, contrary to popular opinion, you want to be rejected. Why?

So that people who don't like you go away quickly and so that if you're being rejected by everyone, you can use the data to figure out why people are rejecting you.

Another major reason people procrastination is that they fear failure because they equate failure with pain.

And while it's true that it's a little jarring to fail, failure is not a painful experience at all. If anything it's a calibration.

Far too many people get caught up in this idea that you can try for a goal and then succeed or fail.

However, it doesn't work like that. There is no 'either/or' in the world unless failure at your goal means death.

But since you're probably not trying to do something like jump the Grand Canyon on a motorcycle, you'll probably be fine.

So, rather than think about the possibility of pain from failure, consider that trying is a way to get one step closer to your goal by learning a way that either works or doesn't.....

..... both of which are good sources of information.

By the way, would you like to learn more about productivity, change, and time management? If so, download my free ebook "How to Manage Your Life and Time".

(And I'll let you in on a big hint: productivity has very little to do with time management strategies and everything to do with how you conceive of and use your time every moment of every day... )

Joshua Howard is life coach who specializes in law of attraction, NLP, and DHE.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7675304

Letting Go, Today

By Dr Jaime Kulaga

UNFORTUNATELY, as we continue on this journey in life, we have to leave the fairy tale endings to Disney.

Sometimes the bad guy does win, the cheater ends up marrying his beautiful mistress and your worst fear does in fact happen.

Pic courtesy of www.quoteeveryday.com

Since this is life and we can't realistically turn to Disney for the happy endings, we need to let things go and take control over what we can control, our actions and reactions.

Letting go isn't easy. Even in a brief moment of frustration with a partner, letting go can be tough if you are trying to prove a point.

But, when we have to let things go that are fueled by a human's strongest emotions, that is when marching on becomes one of the hardest things to do.

Anger, love and fear are some of the most powerful emotions a person can have.

If love can lead to an entire life of fulfillment (happiness, health, true partner), and anger could lead to death (violence and murders), with such extremes, how can we let things go in the midst of our emotions ruling us?

Here are 3 tips that you can implement to help you Let Go, Today:

1. Challenge fear

Often when we let go of the past we are actually letting go of comfort. I understand that anger, fear, pain, and a loss are not comfortable like your couch.

But the body is used to acting, reacting and thinking in one certain way. It is easy to be the same way; it takes energy and effort to change.

Your mind wants to keep on in a direction that is familiar with, even though it knows it is not necessarily good.

Fear creeps up in your mind. Fear lets you know that if you let go of what is holding you to the past, you might not have a good future.

We fill the unpredictable holes of our future with fear, not joy. I suppose the truth is, your future is not guaranteed and definitely could end up not in your favor.

Fear tricks you into thinking that it is better to stay "as is" than move forward because of this unpredictability.

But the reality also is if you are struggling to let go of something, you aren't in a place you want to be anyway right now. So, take the leap and let go.

And, if one reason you are not letting go is for the fact that fear is telling you a "what if" story that is no excuse either.

Often, fear keeps you miserable because it convinces you "what if things get better?" "What if she/he changes?" "What if next go around, I get the promotion?"

Instead, challenge fear and say "what if I leave and things go great for me?" "What if I let go and am finally happy?"

The outlook is much better for your future than your past because you can create the future, you can't change the past.

Living in consistent anger or fear destroys opportunities that come your way and ensures that your peace within is crushed. Prove fear wrong and challenge it.

Try letting go and begin to embrace your future. Hold onto your future like you currently are holding on to your past. What you are currently doing is not working, so shift your actions elsewhere.

Make goals for what your body, mind and spirit needs and focus on that this week.

If it makes you feel better to make a list of all your fears and pains and set it aside for the week to come back to next week, do that.

Let it go for one week and next week decide whether or not you want to come back to the list of pains or continue on your new path.

2. Don't let anger control you

Literally see anger as a person that you are arm wrestling. When anger is consuming your decisions and taking away your happiness, think of him as pushing down harder on your arm. Fight back.

No one controls you, no emotions control you. Take back the power and slam anger to the table.

If anger encourages you to seek revenge, feel jealousy or become greedy he is pushing your hand further toward the table.

Play him back by hitting the gym, doing something good for you, or moving your life forward. Don't lose this battle.

3. Rid of the physical pain

If you have pain within you, chances are it might also be around you. This week begin ridding of the physical pain - and by this I mean items that are reminders of a negative past.

It is not easy to rid yourself of physical items that remind you of pain, but neither is waking up looking at everything that reminds you of this pain (which in turn elicits rage, anger or torment within you).

It is not fair that you have to start each day or week being reminded of hurtful things. Stepping your foot into the week with anger, fears or frustration puts you behind from the get go.

If you have managed to rid of a person who hurt you, don't let them linger around in symbols all day. Finalize the last chapter and start a new one. Will it be easy to physically let go of items?

Absolutely not. Whether your mind tells you or not, you have the strength to move forward.

Got pictures? Toss them. If you can't toss them for whatever reason, please don't have them sitting in 8 X 10 frames over the fireplace mantel for God's sake!

Put them in a box and lock them away. If you have children, and they want certain photos out, explain to them your pain and allow them to put a couple photos in their room away from you.

If there are certain clothes that remind you of painful events, donate them. You can buy more. If there are certain rooms that remind you of anger or pain, rearrange the room.

Purchase new items for the room or hang up inspirational photos/paintings in that room. Whatever you do, this week, physically downsize your pain or anger.

When you ground yourself to the past, you are stuck there. This means that you are literally making your future, your past.

Instead, this week, your goal is to select one of the tips from above and begin "Letting it Go, Today" and start creating a future that is anything but your past.

Dr. Jaime Kulaga is a Certified Life Coach, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Motivational Speaker.

She is the author of the upcoming book "The SuperWoman's Guide to Super Fulfillment: Step-by-Step Strategies to Create Work-Life Balance," to be published in March 2015.

She is the inspirational founder of the nationally known SuperWoman Workshops. Dr. Kulaga has been featured internationally for her expertise in Work-Life Balance. http://www.mindfulrehab.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8803061

6 Questions to Ask Yourself When Setting Goals

By Cheryl T.

THE New Year is here once more and many people will be busy determining what they really want and need.

However, many of us do not accomplish our goals and are left with some of the same ones for the next year.

Are you sure about those goals? 

And, they are often baffled as to the reason why. Knowing the answer to these questions may help you to determine the reasons why.

How do I feel about my goal?

When you think about accomplishing your goal, do you feel excited, happy or do you suddenly feel sad and depressed? If it's the latter, maybe you should give your goal some more thought.

Do I really want what I am trying to obtain?

When we are confused about what we want, sometimes we are unable to attract what we really would like to have into our lives.

Perhaps you like the way it looks or what it represents. But nothing about what you want to have is what you thought or hoped it would be.

Am I setting a realistic goal?

We are not always cut out for what we think we are. For example, someone who thinks they want a very attractive mate may not be able to handle the competition for their affection.

Or someone who has no talent as a dancer, may not be able to start a career as a dancer as an adult if he hasn't been practicing since an early age.

What will be the best route for accomplishing my goals?

'Should I go back to school, or could I volunteer', is what you should be thinking about if your goal is to get a good job. If you would like to get married, it is a good idea to talk to married couples.

How do I expect to feel once I accomplish my goal?

Do you think you will be happier, more self-confident, or needed?

You want always feel the way you think you will feel after you accomplish your goals and if so the emotional state can be short lived.

But this doesn't mean that you don't need or can't be satisfied with what you have.

What do I expect to happen once I accomplish my goals?

Do you expect to make a lot of money, meet lots of new friends, or have more time to relax? And, are you being realistic in what you think the end results of your hard effort will be.

Talking to other people who have accomplished the same goals will give you some idea about what to expect.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8097849