13 Success Mantras – Words that Inspired Us
What would be a common denominator between a biblical prophet, a hockey player, and an entrepreneur?
Of course, there could be more than one thing but for us, it is their motivational example which helped us with the development of “GoalBuddy”.
The wheel has been invented long time ago while we just study and learn from the triumphs of those before us. We do that and then we try to summarize, aiming at giving a whole line of concepts a short and understandable form. At the end, we integrate it all in one unique structure and thus make it easier for you to use it.
In this article, we share some favorite goal setting quotes and how we employ them in our system – from vision, through 90-day goals to small weekly steps. We hope you will be excited as much as we are!
#1 “Ask, and it shall be given.”
We start with this very old piece of wisdom coming to us from Biblical times as if it is some sort of a commandment. To get something you have to at least ask for it. And it doesn’t matter if you are asking life in general or yourself in particular. When doing that be smart about it, be specific but also be always ready to request. Never lose the intent to do so.
In fact, start writing down your “requests” if you have to!
Put it down on paper (or in your smartphone)
Most people, while claiming to have objectives, have also trouble verbalizing those unless they are already put “black on white”. It’s close to impossible to analyze, adjust and register any progress when there is no record.
Perhaps less than 1% can manage without it. Don’t fool yourself you are in this bracket. Write down your request – for the sake of not forgetting, of reaffirming the confidence that you will achieve them, and finally to be able to take responsibility for it.
#2 “If you don’t know where you’re going, every road will take you there.”
That is what the Cheshire Cat instructed Alice in Wonderland.
And we do tell you the same because this view is integrated into the part of “GoalBuddy” that deals with vision-building. Why is it so important where you go?
Everyone had times in their lives when there were more than one fork on the road before them. These moments can turn into quite of a trial when there is no clear direction.
We’ve witnessed people being stuck for years at a crossroad.
When you see and understand clearly how you want your life to unfold, you will almost never hesitate or suffer doubt. Everyday decisions will be as straightforward as your chosen path.
# 3 “A goal should scare you a little, and excite you a lot.”
We love this thought by Joe Vital because it is hand-in-glove with our understanding – dreams have to be big and brave.
It’s not a bad sign when you feel a bit scared. The challenge ahead comes with the thrill that pulls you out of your comfort zone. And that’s exactly the essence of personal growth – be focused and determined, then do your best ever which means a positive change in yourself, or in other words, you evolved for good.
Another component is inspiration. It has to be fun as well as this “high octane boost” that kicks you out of bed in the morning so that you go into the day with plenty of determination and energy.
# 4 “The cave your fear to enter holds the treasure you seek”
These words of Joseph Campbell have made us think about the deeper connection between inner fears and desires, or how worries can be the engine of our progress.
Here we also refer to a speech by Tim Ferris entitled “Why you should define your fears instead of your goals.” It’s about pushing yourself to do something that scares you:
How to face your fears in 3 steps
First, write down 10 reasons why you are afraid of doing something, i.e. the worst consequences. Against each such “danger”, list specific ways to prevent it, or at least, reduce the likelihood of it happening. Place in the third column tactics on how to repair the damage if the bad thing actually materialized.
Once all possible problems are carefully considered and ways to deal with them are outlined it’s time now to write down the likely benefits.
The last thing to do is to anticipate in detail negatives of shying away from doing the hard and daunting. Your list should be of 3 parts – 6 months, one year and three years.
You’ll quickly realize that fear resides rather in our imagination than in reality. The true harm is in the missed opportunity. The price you end up paying for your inaction is much steeper than any potential inconvenience, discomfort or even hardship.
Our example
Sociologist, as well as many psychologists, subscribe under the opinion that one of the most common fears is that of public speaking. We were no exception to this. Having no formal training or any past experience in it, we had to start organizing and conducting “GoalBuddy” workshops.
It was quite scary to be a lecturer the first couple of times But today we look at it as one of the most exciting elements of our project.
# 5 “Goals are dreams with a deadline”
We would like to expand a bit Tony Robbins’ words: the cut-off point is badly needed because it kicks you into action right away.
While long-term vision can be 25 years or with no end date at all, objectives are another story.
In our system, they are 90-day action goals. This period is optimal. It is short enough so that you start without much delay and at the same time it is long enough to register considerable progress . However, always set a date for completion which is within the quarter.
# 6 “If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.”
Funny and yet insightful, this pronouncement is by the widely respected entrepreneur and a guru of personal development – Jim Rohn. If you can invest just 2 hours then check out his video “The art of exceptional living”. You’ll know why we are such fans.
It will make sense if you think of the following hypothetical. You don’t take care of your own career and you can’t expect your boss to do that on your behalf!
It’s not personal at all, you hardly take any responsibility for the lives of others. Just try to be the only writer of your own destiny. Don’t let anyone change the plot line. Be in charge from the very first page throughout the last sentence.
And now we are about to engage the quotes that address the 3-month period for action goals.
# 7 “You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight”
He is the man (again Jim Rohn)!
How do we make the best use of this? When you have a 90-day goal in the direction of your vision, you do progress little by little. At the end you take measure, then you analyze how much closer you got to your destination for the last three months.
But there is yet another great opportunity waiting here. Four times a year you can change course trying out different strategies and this flexibility in approach will assure greater chance for success.
# 8 “A goal properly set is halfway reached”
This maxim is Zig Sigler’s, whose audio lectures we strongly recommend. The outcome of anything you do depends on how the objective is formulated, whether it is measurable and if it is entirely up to your own actions.
Even perfectly executed goal setting won’t guarantee success. Poorly executed one, though, dooms you to failure.
The good news is that the goal setting skills can be improved and you’ll get better and better.
# 9 “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do”
Philosopher Karl Gustav Jung has said it well. But we would like to paraphrase it a bit: “You see the true colors of someone through their actions.”
A free of charge tip to all marketing specialists: surveys are not to be blindly trusted. People almost never act the way they say they will.
No matter what you say and plan talk is cheap and nothing will start moving unless you get “triggered” first. Luckily, you have this Buddy of yours. They listen to you, they ask questions but they’ll also make sure you walk the walk and not just talk the talk.
# 10 “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”
This sporting metaphor, coined by the legendary athlete Wayne Gretzky, gained wide popularity and for a good reason. Not all of your efforts will bear fruit. But without trying, you will certainly get nothing.
Here is another sample of his mind worth knowing. “A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.”
We hope this will be an excellent reminder to look well ahead and set your objectives in such a way that you be a trailblazer for change.
Let’s look now at some other examples, namely about how small steps provide for big wins.
# 11 “Most “impossible” goals can be met simply by breaking them down into bite size chunks, writing them down, believing them, and then going full speed ahead as if they were routine”
Don Lancaster’s masterpiece! It brings together everything that’s in our system.
- The seemingly impossible one is the long term vision.
- Breaking it down into smaller pieces is done through the 90-day periods.
- Conviction in them is strengthened by your Buddy’s support.
- The small weekly steps are getting done at full throttle.
Does it get any better than this!
# 12 “Simple disciplines repeated over time will create success”
This idea is laid out in Jeff Olsen’s book “The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success”.
The notion that small routine steps take you where you want to be in the long run matches to a tee with our weekly steps. By “discipline” he means the habit to consistently apply the right actions that invariably accumulate into far-reaching outcome.
Meeting your Buddy just couple of times won’t do much for you but if you do it on a regular basis for years and you do it the right way then there will be a Tectonic shift in your life.
Make sure your daily choices are in synch with the vision. If so, then they are the right ones; if not – change your mind, change your act.
Finally, we get to a point that is valid for our entire system.
# 13 “People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going”
The author of this last one, as well as the pamphlet like book “The Strangest Secret”, is Earl Nightingale.
Would you like to have it revealed to you?
“We become what we think.” That rings a bell with Jung’s “You are what you do…” Both are very much in tune and the moral is the same – make your mind where to go and then do go there.
The alternative is to get lost in your own life the same way you could in an unfamiliar city – you turn left and right, you waste time and effort, you get miserable and frustrated, you end up getting nowhere.
Have a goal in front of you and it will be a cakewalk to reach it.
And how about you – any piece of wisdom you would like to send our way?
So far it was us with the goal setting quotes. Now it’s your turn. Who are people who motivate you? What are their words of insight? What are the situations when you find courage in their meaning?
Make a comment under the article and we’ll take all the inspiration we can! See you soon!