Self motivation and development goals are probably the two most important aspects to winning big in life. Why do you need to have both of these valuable tools in order to succeed? I’m glad you asked. Let’s dig a little deeper and learn a little more about self motivation and development goals.
1) Self Motivation and Development Goals are Important
For example, let’s say you have been putting off an important project at work. Your boss is waiting for you to turn in your report by the end of the week. You’ve had over a month to work on the project, and you haven’t done anything! Why?
Usually the reason is procrastination. But there’s more to it than that. Why are you procrastinating? What about the project creates so much pain that you are avoiding it? The answer to that question rests solely between you two ears; I can’t help you with that.
What I can help you with is this. As the day of the project due date draws near, the pain of not having the assignment done on time will outweigh the pain of actually doing the assignment. This means you’ll finally buckle done and get the work done. Putting off the project caused you tons of stress, worry, and maybe even added a few more gray hairs. Was it worth it?
Of course not…but the sad truth is that most people spend their entire lives running through this pattern without ever noticing it. It’s called being caught in a “Vicious Loop.” If you find yourself in a Vicious Loop, the first thing you need to do is recognize it. That sounds obvious, I know, but don’t miss this vital step.
Once you discover a pattern repeating, it’s time to turn on the self motivation and set some new development goals. When I say self motivation, I’m talking about attitude. Self motivation can be defined as follows:
Self-Motivation: initiative to undertake or continue a task or activity without another’s prodding or supervision.
Basically this means drawing from yourself the strength you need to accomplish your goals. When you can use your own strength and not rely on others as your catalyst, this is when you will begin to experience true personal growth.
2) Self Motivation and Development Goals are Necessary
Humans are lazy by nature. It’s true. We invented the wheel so we didn’t have to carry anything, we tamed the horse so we didn’t have to walk, and when the horse wasn’t’ good enough anymore, Ford invented the automobile!
This is what makes self motivation and development goals necessary. What exactly are development goals I can hear you asking now? Here’s the definition:
Development Goals: The growth or progress toward which effort is directed.
Simply put, development goals are goals that grow along with you.
These goals are more than just mere thought; they are action. Development goals take the idea of goal setting to a whole new level. Instead of just deciding on a goal and forgetting about it, you take an active approach and work everyday to achieve the goal you have set. If you get only one thing from this article, I hope this is it.
Development goals are not easily tossed aside. Development goals are something you work on everyday. They are living, breathing extensions of you. You can’t just toss them out when they don’t fit anymore. Development goals can change, however, and in fact they should change.
I usually find myself going through about 5 different versions of my development goal before I end up settling on the one I really want. So, don’t worry if you aren’t sure what development goal you want to accomplish at first, you have plenty of time to figure it out. Just start with anything and make changes as you go.
3) Self Motivation and Development Goals Set You Apart
Have you ever been out to eat and had a lousy waitress? I have, plenty of times. Aren’t you just annoyed when your drink has been empty for 10 minutes and you see the waitress talking to people at some other table? Have you ever had a great waitress? I have, but not too many times. Whenever I find one of these “gems” I end up returning to the same restaurant over and over again and guess who I always request?
You guessed it, the great waitress. So what, you may say! Of course you like a great waitress compared to a lousy one, that’s no secret. You are right about that, but there is more to it than that. The only thing that separates the two is action. The lousy waitress lacks self motivation and probably doesn’t have development goals.
The great waitress has both. She is able to put on a smile and serve her tables with enthusiasm. In other words, you have set her apart in your mind. It’s easy to talk about waitresses, but what about you. In you job, what kind of “waiter/waitress” are you?
Do you take action and get things done. Do you fill up other people’s proverbial drinks, or do you leave them to thirst at the table of opportunity? So much of your success in life comes down to your own action. Most of us would cringe if we discovered just how much control we have over the outcome of our lives; it’s almost scary.
You know self motivation and development goals are both important and necessary. You also know that using both properly can set you apart and bring great opportunities. You know all this now, so what are you gonna do about it?
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