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		<title>How to Get Your Goals Back on Track</title>
		<link>https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-get-your-goals-back-on-track/</link>
		<comments>https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-get-your-goals-back-on-track/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2015 16:40:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Justin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Achievement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goal Setting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Excellence]]></category>
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				<description><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?resize=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1 760w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?resize=518%2C259&amp;ssl=1 518w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?resize=82%2C41&amp;ssl=1 82w" sizes="(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p>How are you feeling about your goals for the year? Are you on track? In reviewing my goals for 2015, I have gotten completely off track on a few of them. My guess is, I’m not alone. Why do we get off track with our goals? Join me as I attempt to evaluate my goals [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-get-your-goals-back-on-track/">How to Get Your Goals Back on Track</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></description>
					<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?resize=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1 760w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?resize=518%2C259&amp;ssl=1 518w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?resize=82%2C41&amp;ssl=1 82w" sizes="(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p>How are you feeling about your goals for the year? Are you on track? In reviewing my goals for 2015, I have gotten completely off track on a few of them. My guess is, I’m not alone. Why do we get off track with our goals? Join me as I attempt to evaluate my goals and get back on track. <span id="more-682"></span></p><a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-get-your-goals-back-on-track/"><img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="featured-image wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?resize=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1 760w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?resize=518%2C259&amp;ssl=1 518w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/How-to-Get-Your-Goals-Back-on-Track.png?resize=82%2C41&amp;ssl=1 82w" sizes="(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /></a>
<h2><span style="color: #800000;"><b>Ambitious But Sidetracked</b></span></h2>
<p>If you’re like most of my readers, you are ambitious. In your enthusiasm and desire to achieve, you may have set some <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-6C" target="_blank">BIG, scary goals</a> for yourself or your team. That’s a good thing. I did too.</p>
<p>However, I also know that it can be easy to lose track of those ambitious goals. This may have happened for a variety of reasons:</p>
<ul>
<li>Sidetracked by other projects</li>
<li>Someone else’s priorities took precedent</li>
<li>Simply forgot about your goals</li>
<li>Less than effective time management</li>
<li>Bit off more than you could chew</li>
<li>Change in life circumstances</li>
<li>Overwhelmed</li>
<li>Lost motivation</li>
</ul>
<p>We’ll tackle a few of these head on.</p>
<h2><span style="color: #800000;"><b>Start by Assessing Your Goals</b></span></h2>
<p>Before you start to problem solve, you first need to reassess the goals you set. As you review your goals, you have a decision to make. You can do one of three things:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Recommit</strong> &#8211; If the goal is still something you are serious about achieving and you are willing to make the necessary sacrifices to see it through, then you need to recommit.</li>
<li><strong>Tweak</strong> &#8211; If the goal is a little too far fetched to be realistic (but challenging), yet you still want to see progress in this area, then you may need to tweak the goal to make it more manageable.</li>
<li><strong>Defer</strong> &#8211; If the goal is no longer a priority, or doesn’t deserve immediate attention, you can defer it to focus on (or evaluate again) at later time.</li>
</ol>
<p>This will help you focus your time, energy, and effort on the goals that matter most to you right now.</p>
<p>For the goals you’ve decided to tweak and recommit to, let’s tackle some common challenges that may have derailed your progress.</p>
<h2><span style="color: #800000;"><b>6 Villains of Goal Achievement &amp; How to Defeat Them</b></span></h2>
<p>In my experience, we face 6 common villains when it comes to achieving our goals. Let’s identify each one and strategize about how to defeat them.</p>
<h3><span style="color: #000000;"><b>Villain #1: Ambiguous Goals</b></span></h3>
<p>If my goal isn’t crystal clear, it is hard to focus on.</p>
<p>This week, I was helping a woman set goals. Initially her goal was &#8220;to get back in shape.” That’s pretty vague. So, I asked her some questions to help her figure out what successful achievement of her goal would look like. Eventually she set a clearer goal centered on body mass index.</p>
<p>To defeat the villain of Ambiguous Goals, we need to ensure that our goals are as specific as possible.</p>
<hr />
<p><em>When setting goals, it is one thing to hit the dart board, but another to hit the bullseye.</em><br /><a href='https://twitter.com/share?text=When+setting+goals%2C+it+is+one+thing+to+hit+the+dart+board%2C+but+another+to+hit+the+bullseye.&#038;via=JustinRFoster&#038;related=JustinRFoster&#038;url=https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-get-your-goals-back-on-track/' target='_blank'>Click To Tweet</a></p>
<hr />
<h3><span style="color: #000000;"><b>Villain #2: Out of Sight, Out of Mind</b></span></h3>
<p>This is simple: we focus more on the things we encounter everyday. If we never encounter our goals, then we shouldn’t be surprised when a week or a month go by without much progress.</p>
<p>I had intended to keep my goals visible this year. But, intentions are not actions. I got busy working on goal-related projects but didn’t create my visuals.  Some goals stuck in my mind and some didn’t. This is why I’ve made more progress on some goals and not on others.</p>
<p>To defeat the villain of Out of Sight, Out of Mind, we need to <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-6H" target="_blank">create visual reminders</a>. You can use goal sheets, sticky notes, digital tools and more. I’ve outlined <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-6H" target="_blank">5 killer strategies</a>.</p>
<h3><span style="color: #000000;"><b>Villain #3: Motivation Drain</b></span></h3>
<p>You may have heard the saying, “When you lose your why, you lose your way.” When we forget why we set out to achieve our goals in the first place, it’s no surprise that our motivations wain. This comes down to a matter of <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-5T" target="_blank">willpower</a>.</p>
<p>To defeat the villain of Motivation Drain, we need to <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-5T" target="_blank">review our whys</a>. We need to ask ourselves, “Why is this important to me?&#8221; &#8220;What benefits will I gain from achieving it?&#8221; This will help us connect our personal values (what matters most to us) with the goals we’ve committed to achieve.</p>
<h3><span style="color: #000000;"><b>Villain #4: Over-Planning</b></span></h3>
<p>Sometimes I get bogged down in making plans. Like choosing a route on your GPS, there are often multiple ways to get where we want to go. But, how do we choose if we’ve never been to the destination before? This feeling can cause us to become stuck in our tracks when it comes to pursuing our goals.</p>
<p>Rather than trying to plan out the entire process from start to finish, you simply need to take the next logical step. This is how you can defeat the villain of Over-Planning. Besides, it is easier to see the road ahead once you are standing on the next hilltop.</p>
<h3><span style="color: #000000;"><b>Villain #5: Isolation</b></span></h3>
<p>Like the hobbit Frodo in<i> <a href="http://amzn.to/1Nngp8Q" target="_blank">The Lord of the Rings</a></i>, you can’t complete your journey on your own. Your <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/retrain-your-resistance-3-steps-to-more-productive-thinking/" target="_blank">counterproductive thinking</a> squashes your determination. Your <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/willpower-boost-yours/" target="_blank">willpower</a> muscle gets fatigued. You may find yourself battered and beaten with no one to dust you off and encourage you to keep going.</p>
<p>To defeat the villain of Isolation, you need to recruit an <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-1W" target="_blank">accountability partner</a>, a confidant. You may need more than one. Perhaps you&#8217;ll recruit a different partner for different goals. One caution: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-1W" target="_blank">don’t tell the world your goals</a>. We have enough doubters in our lives already.</p>
<h3><span style="color: #000000;"><b>Villain #6: Lost Your Bearings</b></span></h3>
<p>This is the villain that snuck up on me this year. I’ve got no one to blame but myself.</p>
<p>Like ships sailing across the sea, we quickly get lost when we don’t check our bearings. Ships had navigators responsible for consistently checking their bearings, day and night. A small deviation could divert the ship off course and they would not arrive at their intended destination.</p>
<p>Conducting a regular <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-9p" target="_blank">goal progress review</a> is the strategy to defeat the Lost Your Bearings villain. I have not adhered to my review schedule this year and it shows. I encourage you to download my <a href="https://www.evernote.com/l/AI44MPvNTd1J25yCh0VXsVur4-xAsZtz20o" target="_blank">free Evernote template</a>, customize it, and find what will work best for you.</p>
<h2><span style="color: #800000;"><b>Free Download</b></span></h2>
<p>For a quick reference and reminder, I created this free infographic: &#8220;Slay the 6 Villains of Goal Achievement: How to Get Your Goals Back on Track.&#8221;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://theexcellingedge.leadpages.co/leadbox/144280b73f72a2%3A12c1849b5b46dc/5757715179634688/" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6u1iDIlYEvYivjtojFkc4taWWeziiUjmilG6EGm3EobGpNYxFbA1g7COD-9HawLkHp42jc80R4wM4dF3_UUwzd4=s0" alt="" /></a></p>
<h2><span style="color: #800000;"><b>Let the Battle Begin</b></span></h2>
<p>In pursuing our goals, even the most dedicated of us gets off track. Once you’ve decided to recommit to your goals, use the strategies above to fight the 6 Villains of Goal Achievement.</p>
<p>With planning, intentionality, and the right battle plan, you can defeat the common challenges we all face when pursuing goals. Get yourself back on track and achieve what you set out to do.</p>
<hr />
<p><em>Yes, you can defeat the 6 Villains of Goal Achievement.</em><br /><a href='https://twitter.com/share?text=Yes%2C+you+can+defeat+the+6+Villains+of+Goal+Achievement.&#038;via=JustinRFoster&#038;related=JustinRFoster&#038;url=https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-get-your-goals-back-on-track/' target='_blank'>Click To Tweet</a></p>
<hr />
<p><i><b>Question: Which of these 6 villains causes you the most problems in achieving your goals? Share your thoughts in the comments. </b></i></p>
<div></div>
<div><b>Links:</b></div>
<ul>
<li>Download: <a href="https://www.evernote.com/l/AI44MPvNTd1J25yCh0VXsVur4-xAsZtz20o" target="_blank">Template: Goal Progress Review</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-6C" target="_blank">Size Matters. Set Your Sights on BIG, Scary Goals for 2015.</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-6H" target="_blank">Take Your Goal Setting to the Next Level with Personalized Visuals</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-5T" target="_blank">Willpower: Boost Yours</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-1W" target="_blank">Should You Keep Your Goals A Secret?</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-9p" target="_blank">How to Maintain Your Momentum Using a Goal Progress Review</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/retrain-your-resistance-3-steps-to-more-productive-thinking/" target="_blank">Retrain Your Resistance: 3 Steps to More Productive Thinking</a></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><script src="https://theexcellingedge.leadpages.co/leadbox-888.js" type="mce-text/javascript" data-leadbox="144280b73f72a2:12c1849b5b46dc" data-url="https://theexcellingedge.leadpages.co/leadbox/144280b73f72a2%3A12c1849b5b46dc/5757715179634688/" data-config="%7B%7D"></script></p><p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-get-your-goals-back-on-track/">How to Get Your Goals Back on Track</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			

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		<title>How to Maintain Your Momentum Using a Goal Progress Review</title>
		<link>https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-maintain-your-momentum-using-a-goal-progress-review/</link>
		<comments>https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-maintain-your-momentum-using-a-goal-progress-review/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2015 15:57:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Justin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Achievement]]></category>
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				<description><![CDATA[And Increase Follow-Through to Achieve Your Goals. <img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?resize=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1 760w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?resize=518%2C259&amp;ssl=1 518w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?resize=82%2C41&amp;ssl=1 82w" sizes="(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p>Do you feel satisfied in the progress you&#8217;re making on your goals? Like many of you, each new year I set my sights on next steps, progress, growth and achievements. I set BIG, scary goals. However, setting goals isn’t the hard part. Following through is. Only 46% of Americans who set goals at the beginning of [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-maintain-your-momentum-using-a-goal-progress-review/">How to Maintain Your Momentum Using a Goal Progress Review</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></description>
					<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em id="gnt_postsubtitle" style="color:#606163;font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:1.3em;line-height:1.2em;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;">And Increase Follow-Through to Achieve Your Goals</em></p> <img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?resize=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1 760w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?resize=518%2C259&amp;ssl=1 518w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?resize=82%2C41&amp;ssl=1 82w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p>Do you feel satisfied in the progress you&#8217;re making on your goals? Like many of you, each new year I set my sights on next steps, progress, growth and achievements. I set <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-6C">BIG, scary goals</a>. However, setting goals isn’t the hard part. Following through is.</p><a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-maintain-your-momentum-using-a-goal-progress-review/"><img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="featured-image wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?resize=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1 760w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?resize=518%2C259&amp;ssl=1 518w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/How-to-Maintain-Momentum-Using-A-Goal-Progress-Review.png?resize=82%2C41&amp;ssl=1 82w" sizes="(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /></a>
<p>Only <a href="http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/">46% of Americans</a> who set goals at the beginning of the year make it past 6 months. Establishing a goal review process can greatly increase your chances of following through on those lofty intentions.<span id="more-583"></span></p>
<h3><span style="color: #800000;"><b>How easily we lose track</b></span></h3>
<p>Whether you aim to run a half marathon, save money or take that vacation to the tropics, <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-6H">keeping your goals visible</a>, having <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-1W">accountability</a> and checking in regularly go a long way toward helping you achieve what you set out to do.</p>
<p>Looking back, I can clearly see that the goals I failed to achieve are those I simply lost track of. The same may be true for you.</p>
<h3><span style="color: #800000;"><b>Adopt a regular goal review process</b></span></h3>
<p>To avoid this common pitfall, I designed a goal review process for myself. In my free download, <i><a href="https://theexcellingedge.leadpages.net/leadbox/14472b173f72a2%3A12c1849b5b46dc/5722646637445120/" target="_blank">The Only 3 Apps I Use to Set, Plan &amp; Track Goals</a><script src="https://theexcellingedge.leadpages.net/leadbox-860.js" type="text/javascript" data-leadbox="14472b173f72a2:12c1849b5b46dc" data-url="https://theexcellingedge.leadpages.net/leadbox/14472b173f72a2%3A12c1849b5b46dc/5722646637445120/" data-config="%7B%7D"></script></i>, I explain how I set myself up to stay on track with my goals.</p>
<p>In this post, I’d like to share part of my follow-up process. Hopefully it will help you keep your goals on track and maintain the momentum necessary to succeed.</p>
<p><b>Here is my 3 step Goal Progress Review. </b><i>Download my <a href="https://www.evernote.com/l/AI44MPvNTd1J25yCh0VXsVur4-xAsZtz20o">Evernote template</a> for this <a href="https://www.evernote.com/l/AI44MPvNTd1J25yCh0VXsVur4-xAsZtz20o">here</a>.</i></p>
<p>If you haven’t already done so, commit each of your goals to writing so you won’t forget them. This solidifies them and makes them tangible. It also gives you a greater sense of ownership over each one.</p>
<p>I’ve intentionally planned to work toward some of my goals later in the year. Even though I may start working on a goal later, I write it down so I can maintain awareness of it.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>1. For each goal, respond to 3 specific prompts:</b></p>
<ul>
<li style="padding-left: 30px;">List progress made, achievements met or personal victories. Essentially, since your last goal review, what positives or successes have occurred? These may be significant or even minor but it is still important to list them. By doing so you’ll gain a sense of pride, accomplishment and confidence, which fuels your momentum.</li>
<li style="padding-left: 30px;">What needs improving? This is where you take an honest look at what’s not working. What have you neglected, pushed aside or forgotten about? Perhaps you simply need to plan your grocery shopping better to ensure you eat healthy. Or maybe you need to plan your time better to get housework done so you can get in that extra run. Whatever it is, make a note of what needs improving.</li>
<li style="padding-left: 30px;">What lessons have you learned to help you going forward? As you work toward your goals, you inevitably learn along the way. It’s here that you want to capitalize on it. What’s working well for you? How was it that you got to the gym on Tuesday? What happened that triggered a cigarette craving on Monday? Learn from your successes and your failures. Apply those lessons  as you move forward!</li>
</ul>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>2. Consolidate action items.</b> After doing a quick scrub of each goal you&#8217;ve set using the 3 prompts above, collect next steps and to-dos. This packages up your goal review into the things you need to do. I suggest beginning each of these <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-2z">with a verb</a> &#8211; something to do.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>3. Assimilate to-dos.</b> In this last step, the intent is to set yourself up for future success. Add action items to your to-do list. I use <a href="http://www.wunderlist.com">Wunderlist</a> for this.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Set reminders to help you establish routines or hold yourself accountable. I have several that go off throughout the day to help keep me on track, using <a href="http://www.coach.me">Coach.me</a>.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Add insights to your journal, white board or notebook as appropriate so you can revisit them later.</p>
<hr />
<p><em>A regular Goal Progress Review keeps your momentum going &amp; your goals on track.</em><br /><a href='https://twitter.com/share?text=A+regular+Goal+Progress+Review+keeps+your+momentum+going+%26amp%3B+your+goals+on+track.&#038;via=JustinRFoster&#038;related=JustinRFoster&#038;url=https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-maintain-your-momentum-using-a-goal-progress-review/' target='_blank'>Click To Tweet</a></p>
<hr />
<h3><span style="color: #800000;"><b>Schedule your Goal Progress Review</b></span></h3>
<p>You’re probably wondering, “How often am I supposed to use this Goal Progress Review?” Honestly, only you can answer that for yourself. I’ve found it depends on several factors: individuals, goals, and amounts of self-regulation. For some, once per week may be best. I’ve found that once per month works well for me. That said, I do check in on my progress for several goals everyday (using <a href="http://www.coach.me">Coach.me</a>).</p>
<p>Once you decide on a timeframe, schedule your Goal Progress Review on your calendar. Protect it like you would an important appointment, even though it is with yourself. If you really care about achieving your goals, you must make time to ensure you are keeping on track.</p>
<p>I encourage you to <a href="https://www.evernote.com/l/AI44MPvNTd1J25yCh0VXsVur4-xAsZtz20o">download my free Evernote template</a>, customize it and find what will work best for you. The point is to stay aware of your goals, evaluate your progress and maintain the momentum you need to accomplish your goals.</p>
<p><i><b>Question: What other strategies help you stay on track with your goals? I’d love to hear your ideas or tools in the comments section.</b></i></p>
<div><b>Links:</b></div>
<ul>
<li>Template: <a href="https://www.evernote.com/l/AI44MPvNTd1J25yCh0VXsVur4-xAsZtz20o">Goal Progress Review</a></li>
<li>Resource: <a href="http://www.evernote.com">Evernote</a></li>
<li>Resource: <a href="http://www.wunderlist.com">Wunderlist</a></li>
<li>Resource: <a href="http://www.coach.me">Coach.me</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-1W">Should You Keep Your Goals A Secret?</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-6C">Size Matters. Set Your Sights on BIG, Scary Goals for 2015</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-2z">One Word You Never Want to Leave Off Items On Your To-Do List</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-6H">Take Your Goal Setting to the Next Level with Personalized Visuals</a></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div></div><p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-maintain-your-momentum-using-a-goal-progress-review/">How to Maintain Your Momentum Using a Goal Progress Review</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			

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		<title>How to Reclaim 3 Essentials of Productivity</title>
		<link>https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-reclaim-3-essentials-of-productivity/</link>
		<comments>https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-reclaim-3-essentials-of-productivity/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2015 16:47:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Justin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Achievement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Focus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Productivity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arizona Mental Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arizona Sport Psychology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clarity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cognitive Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Efficiency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[effort]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Less Time]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mental Training Academy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parkinson's Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Cognitive Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Mental Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Sport Performance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Sport Psychologist]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[productivity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surprise Mental Training]]></category>
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				<description><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?resize=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1 760w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?resize=518%2C259&amp;ssl=1 518w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?resize=82%2C41&amp;ssl=1 82w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p>&#8220;Do more with less&#8221; has become the mantra of today’s businesses. Sixty hour workweeks seem to be taking over. We complain about lack of time and manpower while more items stack up on our task lists. However, I remind you that necessity is the mother of invention. Allow me to introduce you to Parkinson’s Law and how [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-reclaim-3-essentials-of-productivity/">How to Reclaim 3 Essentials of Productivity</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></description>
					<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?resize=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1 760w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?resize=518%2C259&amp;ssl=1 518w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?resize=82%2C41&amp;ssl=1 82w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p>&#8220;Do more with less&#8221; has become the mantra of today’s businesses. Sixty hour workweeks seem to be taking over. We complain about lack of time and manpower while more items stack up on our task lists. However, I remind you that necessity is the mother of invention. Allow me to introduce you to Parkinson’s Law and how we can embrace the pursuit of efficiency. <span id="more-546"></span></p><a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-reclaim-3-essentials-of-productivity/"><img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="featured-image wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?resize=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1 760w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?resize=518%2C259&amp;ssl=1 518w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/How-to-Reclaim-3-Essentials-of-Productivity.png?resize=82%2C41&amp;ssl=1 82w" sizes="(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /></a>
<h3><span style="color: #800000;"><b>Parkinson’s Law</b></span></h3>
<p>Work expands to the time allotted to it. This is Parkinson’s Law. It can be applied to single tasks, multi-step projects, or simply how we approach work. How have you experienced Parkinson’s Law in your own life?</p>
<p>In college, I knew from the beginning of the semester when papers would be due. I often left assignments to the last minute, but on one particular paper, I decided that I would start early.</p>
<p>Weeks before it was due, I collected sources and reviewed them. I developed an index card and color coding system for capturing useful information from the sources. My research was a marvel of organization. However, when I sat down to actually write the paper, I realized I had mere days left to craft it.</p>
<p>While I was busy preparing to write, the deadline had crept up on me. The work had expanded to fill the time I had allotted to it.</p>
<h3><span style="color: #800000;"><b>Anomalies of Efficiency &#8211; Last Minute Tasks and Getting Out the Door</b></span></h3>
<p>While I did complete that paper, I also completed many others in much less time. True to my procrastination tendencies, I had proven that I could crank out papers overnight (literally). The time allotted in those instances was very little. The point, though, is that those papers were also completed and turned in.</p>
<p>Think back to the last time you went on vacation. Narrow in on the workdays just before you left. Was your pace more hurried than usual? Were you more focused on finishing the tasks in front of you?</p>
<p>If you’re like me and many others, those are some of your most productive and efficient days of work all year.</p>
<h3><span style="color: #800000;"><b>What can we learn from our most productive days to help us avoid the downsides of Parkinson’s Law?</b></span></h3>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>1.</b> On those days we have <b>More Clarity.</b> When we’re clear about what needs doing and what it will take to accomplish a task, we can attack it with commitment. In contrast, if the task is ambiguous, we second guess. We have to seek more information. This slows down our productive juices.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>2.</b> On those days we have <b>More Focus.</b> Something magical happens when you know a task has to get finished immediately. There is urgency. Your body’s sympathetic nervous system comes to life, which brings added focus with it. All of your attention gets directed to the task like a laser. You <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/?p=526">avoid distractions</a>. You avoid frivolous endeavors like checking social media, email or making small talk with colleagues. You attack your task list like a machine because it stands between you and freedom &#8211; or a vacation.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>3.</b> On those days we put forth <b>More Effort.</b> Once we are clear on our objectives and have brought full attention to a single task, we can apply intense effort. Our physiology is already in gear and we work both smarter and harder. Our minds and bodies are rising to the occasion, meeting demands by applying our full arrays of skills, strengths and expertise. This is what Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flow-Harper-Perennial-Modern-Classics-ebook/dp/B000W94FE6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;sr=&amp;qid=">flow</a> or you may know it as <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-2N">the zone</a>.</p>
<h3><span style="color: #800000;"><b>How do you gain more clarity, focus and effort everyday?</b></span></h3>
<p><b>Less Time.</b> That’s right; reduce the time allotted to complete a task. This forces you to apply more focus and effort to your clear objective. You don’t have time for “what if this” and &#8220;what if that.” You don’t have time for <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-2H">the illusion of multi-tasking</a>. Shrinking your time-allotted will drive you to use the time you have most efficiently.</p>
<p>I’ve been using this strategy to focus my writing. I set a timer when I begin. So far, I’ve found that I am less distractible and more focused. InterestingIy, I believe I accomplish more in the short amount of time than I sometimes do in double the time.</p>
<hr />
<p><em>Shrinking the time-allotted for tasks drives you to be efficient with your time, focus and effort.</em><br /><a href='https://twitter.com/share?text=Shrinking+the%C2%A0time-allotted+for+tasks+drives+you+to+be+efficient+with+your+time%2C+focus+and+effort.&#038;via=JustinRFoster&#038;related=JustinRFoster&#038;url=https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-reclaim-3-essentials-of-productivity/' target='_blank'>Click To Tweet</a></p>
<hr />
<p>We don’t have to run from “do more with less.” Get more done in less time by intentionally shrinking your allotted time for a task or project. This doesn’t have to come immediately before an imposed deadline. Set your own deadline and give yourself a buffer for the unexpected. The point is to increase your efficiency more consistently. Why should the workdays just before a vacation be the only ones that get your best effort?</p>
<p>Cut back your time on task to increase your clarity, focus and effort. You’ll accomplish more in less time. If you’re in a results-oriented company, you might even get to go home early.</p>
<p><b>Question: What is one thing to which you could apply the less-is-better strategy this week? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. </b></p>
<p><b>Links:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flow-Harper-Perennial-Modern-Classics-ebook/dp/B000W94FE6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;sr=&amp;qid="><i>Flow</i></a> by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi</li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-2N">How Can You Get Into The Zone More Consistently?</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/?p=526">8 Tips to Avoid Distraction and Boost Productivity</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-2H">Multitasking Is Your Nemesis: Stop It</a></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/how-to-reclaim-3-essentials-of-productivity/">How to Reclaim 3 Essentials of Productivity</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			

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				<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">546</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Why I Need My Own Counsel: Lessons Learned from Unmet Goals</title>
		<link>https://theexcellingedge.com/why-i-need-my-own-counsel-lessons-learned-from-unmet-goals/</link>
		<comments>https://theexcellingedge.com/why-i-need-my-own-counsel-lessons-learned-from-unmet-goals/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jan 2015 17:38:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Justin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Achievement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Excellence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2015]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[accountability]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arizona Mental Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arizona Sport Psychology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clarity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cognitive Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Earl Nightingale]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Experience]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[goal plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goal Planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[goals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mental Training Academy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Cognitive Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Mental Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Sport Performance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Sport Psychologist]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Sport Psychology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Sport Science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ritual]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[routine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Success]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surprise Mental Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surprise Sport Psychology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Track]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Visible]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Visual reminders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wisdom]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://theexcellingedge.com/?p=437</guid>

				<description><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?resize=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1 760w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?resize=518%2C259&amp;ssl=1 518w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?resize=82%2C41&amp;ssl=1 82w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p>If Earl Nightingale was right that “success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal,” where does that leave me? As I look back over the goals I set for 2014, I see that I won some and I lost some. How about you? &#160; Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve spent some time reflecting [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/why-i-need-my-own-counsel-lessons-learned-from-unmet-goals/">Why I Need My Own Counsel: Lessons Learned from Unmet Goals</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></description>
					<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?resize=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1 760w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?resize=518%2C259&amp;ssl=1 518w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?resize=82%2C41&amp;ssl=1 82w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p>If Earl Nightingale was right that “success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal,” where does that leave me? As I look back over the goals I set for 2014, I see that I won some and I lost some. How about you?<span id="more-437"></span></p><a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/why-i-need-my-own-counsel-lessons-learned-from-unmet-goals/"><img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="featured-image wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?resize=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1 760w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?resize=518%2C259&amp;ssl=1 518w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Why-I-Need-My-Own-Counsel.png?resize=82%2C41&amp;ssl=1 82w" sizes="(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /></a>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve spent some time reflecting on and evaluating the progress I made and also the results I didn’t get in the past year. In 2014 I set 8 goals. My results were mixed. There were some definite highs, like publishing 52 blog posts and a vacation to Great Britain. I had my share of lows too, such as only reading 8 books when I’d intended to read 12 last year.</p>
<p>As I reflected and analyzed, I noted why I achieved some and not others. I was able to distill these into lessons learned. In fact, they are principles I already know and write about, I just need to practice what I preach.</p>
<p><b>As I create my goal plan for the new year, I will heed these 6 lessons learned.</b> Perhaps, by applying them, you too can grow your successes in 2015.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>#1: Clarity breeds precision.</b> When working with U.S. Army snipers, I learned the importance of precision shooting. In my understanding, the difference is about errors. If I aim generally at a target and miss, I miss the target completely. If I aim at a specific point in the very center and miss, I still hit the target.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">The same is true for my goals. In 2014, a couple of my goals lacked the clarity I needed to stay focused on the results I wanted. Watch out for goals like, “save more money,” “eat healthier” and “lose weight.” Instead set a goal such as “save $5,000 by December 31st.&#8221;  Get specific, so you can be more precise.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>#2: What gets scheduled gets done.</b> This is a truth I need to apply more intentionally. I scheduled time to write my blog posts this past year, and successfully met my goal to publish one blog each week, consistently. Other goals suffered because I didn’t schedule and guard the time to achieve them.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>#3: I must inspect what I expect.</b> If I don’t track it, I never know where I am at a given time. Checking in on my goals is a must. Think how absurd it would be to set out on a road trip from Nashville to Philadelphia and never check to see where you are along the way. The goals I achieved are the same ones in which I tracked my progress. Why not apply it to every goal? This has been huge for <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-10">my morning routine</a> and <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-5T">boosting willpower</a>.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>#4: Rituals bring results.</b> When I incorporated goal achieving behaviors into my daily and weekly rhythms, I got results. I was more likely to adhere to those practices and it took less willpower to get started. Consequently, because doing pushups and reading my Bible are part of my morning routine, I was consistent with them. Create rituals and schedule them into your daily rhythms. <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-K">Why is this so powerful?</a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>#5: I can’t hit what I can’t see.</b> Keeping goals visible is critical to maintaining momentum and getting results. Honestly, I lost sight of some goals throughout the year. Visual reminders will be a big part of my strategy in 2015. <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-6H">Here are a few ideas.</a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>#6: Accountability works.</b> When I tell Laura, my wife, I am going to run when I get home, <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-4r">she doesn&#8217;t let me brush it off</a> when I walk in the door after work. When I told my reader on my <a href="http://wp.me/P3SY2C-l">About page</a>  that I would publish a blog post every week in 2014, I did it. We can’t rely solely on our own discipline. We will falter, at some point. Recruiting others to be supportive and encouraging is a great way to increase your commitment to the things you’ve already identified as important. <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-1W">Choose wisely.</a></p>
<p>When we learn from our own mistakes, we call it experience. Yet, when we learn from the mistakes of others, we call it wisdom. I hope you’ll let my experience pursuing my goals in 2014  be wisdom to you. Avoid my missteps and set yourself up for a year of tremendous and unprecedented success.</p>
<p><i><b>Question: What is one lesson you’ve learned pursuing your goals? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below. </b></i></p>
<div><i><b>Links:</b></i></div>
<ul>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-10">5:00 AM: Up And At &#8216;Em (How Incremental Change Made It Happen)</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-1W">Should You Keep Your Goals A Secret? </a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-4r">Stick With It: 4 Lessons For Achieving Smaller Goals</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-6H">Take Your Goal Setting to the Next Level with Personalized Visuals</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-K">What I Learned About Change from a Walk on the Moon</a></li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-K">Willpower: Boost Yours</a></li>
</ul>
<div></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/why-i-need-my-own-counsel-lessons-learned-from-unmet-goals/">Why I Need My Own Counsel: Lessons Learned from Unmet Goals</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			

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				<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">437</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Take Your Goal Setting to the Next Level with Personalized Visuals</title>
		<link>https://theexcellingedge.com/take-your-goal-setting-to-the-next-level-with-personalized-visuals/</link>
		<comments>https://theexcellingedge.com/take-your-goal-setting-to-the-next-level-with-personalized-visuals/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2014 12:00:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Justin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Achievement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goal Setting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Excellence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arizona Mental Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arizona Sport Psychology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cognitive Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Digital Trip Wires]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Evernote]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[goal setting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goal Sheet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[iPhone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mental Training Academy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personalized Visuals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Cognitive Training]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Sport Performance]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Sport Science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Progress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reminder]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sticky Notes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surprise Mental Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surprise Sport Psychology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Visible]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vision Board Phoenix Sport Psychology]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://theexcellingedge.com/?p=415</guid>

				<description><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p>I hate when I fail to achieve my goals. Don&#8217;t you? We often start a new year with new goals, feeling energized and hopeful. Then, by February, we&#8217;re into our old rhythms, overcome by busyness and left with little time to focus on the goals that seemed so important a month ago. Why do we [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/take-your-goal-setting-to-the-next-level-with-personalized-visuals/">Take Your Goal Setting to the Next Level with Personalized Visuals</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></description>
					<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p>I hate when I fail to achieve my goals. Don&#8217;t you? We often start a new year with new goals, feeling energized and hopeful. Then, by February, we&#8217;re into our old rhythms, overcome by busyness and left with little time to focus on the goals that seemed so important a month ago. Why do we lose focus? More importantly, how can we keep that from happening again? <span id="more-415"></span></p><a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/take-your-goal-setting-to-the-next-level-with-personalized-visuals/"><img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="featured-image wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /></a>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-416" alt="Make Goals Visual" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?resize=760%2C380&#038;ssl=1" width="760" height="380" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Make-Goals-Visual.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /></a></p>
<p>As a runner in high school, I would often write my goal for the season, my target time, on my training shoes. I saw it everyday as I stretched, warmed up and ran. It was visible. The time became a symbol and reminder of why I worked so hard and what I was shooting for. It prompted me to push myself when I didn&#8217;t feel like it. Having that reminder kept me focused on my goal. Most importantly, it worked. I reached my target times and I continued to set new personal records (PRs).</p>
<p>I still leverage this strategy of intentionally putting my goals in front of my face in other pursuits. As I coach clients to pursue their goals, this is a critical step in the process.</p>
<p><b>Here are my top 5 ideas to get you thinking about how you can keep your goals visible everyday. </b></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>#1. <span style="color: #ff0000;">Post a Goal Sheet.</span></b> You can keep this simple or make it as elaborate as you&#8217;d like. At a minimum, an effective goal sheet should include your written goals, their deadlines and an action or two that pertains to each goal. This makes for a one page overview of what you&#8217;re trying to accomplish and a brief reminder of how you&#8217;ll get there.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>#2. <span style="color: #ff0000;">Create A Vision Board.</span></b> These are fairly common and highly customized. A vision board is a cork board or other place to gather and display goals, pictures, quotes and symbols. These ought to be things that provide you with encouragement, inspiration and motivation to start and persevere along the way to achieving your goals.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>#3. <span style="color: #ff0000;">Set Digital Trip Wires.</span></b> With so much technology and visual input, we&#8217;d be crazy not to leverage it to help us achieve our goals. Turn your goals into images and use them as a screen saver or backdrop. I did this for my first year in a new job and it really kept me focused on excelling everyday. Quotes and other inspirational images work great too. I keep one on the Lock Screen of my iPhone, so I see it every time I unlock my phone. <i>Can there be any one action I do more times a day than that?!</i></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>#4. <span style="color: #ff0000;">Scatter Sticky Notes.</span></b> These might be the greatest invention in the office supply industry, ever! I&#8217;ve attached them to my desktop screen at work with focusing statements. One I have right now says, &#8220;I push my limits everyday!&#8221; Its a reminder to stay focused on what matters most and not settle for the path of least resistance. You can put them on the bathroom mirror, in the car, or even on the refrigerator. Write your goal, jot down a quote, or draw a picture that reminds you of your goal every time you see it.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><b>#5. <span style="color: #ff0000;">Leverage Evernote.</span></b> Confession: I&#8217;m one of those crazy <a href="https://evernote.com/">Evernote</a> users who tells everybody I meet how awesome it is. That said, it is a phenomenal tool for writing out your goals and your strategy and for collecting things to spur your efforts along the journey. I keep a copy of my goals for the year in Evernote and have a shortcut that takes me directly to them in a single click. This allows me to review my goals quickly and easily. The best part is, I have Evernote with me wherever I go. I can review my goals while in line at the grocery store if I so desire.</p>
<p>In coaching clients to be creative and come up with their own strategies for making their goals visual, I&#8217;ve come across lots of other great ideas too. Someone wanting to lose weight and eat healthier posted a &#8220;before&#8221; picture on the refrigerator. One young man wanting to finish his college degree hung an empty diploma frame over the TV in his family&#8217;s living room as a reminder to study. Another gentlemen had a son who wanted to be an Olympic athlete, so the father bought an Olympic flag and hung it on the ceiling over his son&#8217;s bed. Brilliant ideas!</p>
<p>The bottom line is that we need to bump into our goals regularly. When we do, they stay top of mind. These visual reminders encourage us to take action on our goals and make consistent progress toward the things that matter most to us.</p>
<p><b><i><span style="color: #ff0000;">Question:</span> What visual reminders could you use to keep your focus on your goals in 2015? I&#8217;d love to hear your ideas in the comments section below. </i></b></p>
<p><b>Link:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Software: <a href="https://evernote.com/"><i>Evernote</i></a></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/take-your-goal-setting-to-the-next-level-with-personalized-visuals/">Take Your Goal Setting to the Next Level with Personalized Visuals</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			

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				<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">415</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Tackle Your Procrastination Problem</title>
		<link>https://theexcellingedge.com/tackle-your-procrastination-problem/</link>
		<comments>https://theexcellingedge.com/tackle-your-procrastination-problem/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2014 12:00:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Justin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Achievement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Productivity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arizona Mental Training]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Build Inertia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cognitive Training]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Focus]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Procrastination]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Start Phoenix Sport Psychology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surprise Mental Training]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://theexcellingedge.com/?p=407</guid>

				<description><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p>Procrastination can get the best of us, at home and at work. The last thing I want to do after an amazing breakfast is wash the dishes. At work, I find myself procrastinating when I get behind. It becomes worse when I&#8217;m tired, lack focus, or feel overwhelmed. The funny thing is, more often than not, once [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/tackle-your-procrastination-problem/">Tackle Your Procrastination Problem</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></description>
					<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p>Procrastination can get the best of us, at home and at work. The last thing I want to do after an amazing breakfast is wash the dishes. At work, I find myself procrastinating when I get behind. It becomes worse when I&#8217;m tired, lack focus, or feel overwhelmed. The funny thing is, more often than not, once I get started on a task at hand, I get on a roll. It recently dawned on me that I could be more deliberate in tackling the procrastination problem.<span id="more-407"></span></p><a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/tackle-your-procrastination-problem/"><img width="760" height="380" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?fit=760%2C380&amp;ssl=1" class="featured-image wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /></a>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-408" alt="Tackle Procrastination" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?resize=760%2C380&#038;ssl=1" width="760" height="380" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?resize=600%2C300&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Tackle-Procrastination.png?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /></a></p>
<p>Recently, I helped my wife with her final preparations for a craft show. It was the night before the big event and there were just a few more things to do before dinner. We were both hungry and I was ready to quit. I watched as she put aside her tiredness and did one little thing. The one thing turned into three things and then ten things. An hour later, the to-do list was finished.</p>
<p>As I lent a helping hand, it intrigued me to see how she overcame procrastination. When she could have easily procrastinated, she took one step and that step built inertia. As inertia grew, the next task wasn&#8217;t so arduous. I realized that this happens to me too. I notice it most with running. I don&#8217;t love running. I love <i>having</i> run. When I don&#8217;t feel like running, all I need to do is change clothes and lace up my running shoes. Once I get that far, in my mind, there is no turning back, I&#8217;ve decided to run. Surely, we can all leverage this truth to our advantage.</p>
<p><b>If I were to break this process down into steps, I&#8217;d say we can all build inertia and overcome procrastination by doing 3 things.</b></p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>#1  Narrow your focus to one thing.</b></span> Avoid the temptation to contemplate how you can accomplish your entire task list in the time you&#8217;ve got. Rather, select the <i>next</i> most important thing and place your focus and energy there. (And don&#8217;t spend 15 minutes deciding which task is most important.)</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>#2  Cross the starting line.</b></span> Build inertia by accomplishing that one thing. Completing one thing will lead to another and that boosts motivation. For me, getting my running shoes laced up ensures I will run. Soaping up the sponge is my starting line for doing the dishes. What is your starting line? Whatever it is, you just need to summon the willpower to cross it.</p>
<p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><b>#3  Go with the flow.</b></span> Continue putting one foot in front of the other. Remain task focused. This happens when I sit down to write. I&#8217;ll get sucked into the moment and before long, an hour has passed. Allow that inertia to carry you forward like a kayak being carried along by the flow of a river.</p>
<p>Even high achievers and hard chargers have things we don&#8217;t like to do or times when we just don&#8217;t feel doing them. Whatever the reason, we can harness the power of inertia and overcome the temptations of procrastination by taking 3 simple steps. Each one helps us lock in, get started and build inertia to get more done.</p>
<p><b><i><span style="color: #ff0000;">Question:</span> What starting line do you need to cross? And, what will you accomplish when you do? Scroll to the bottom of this post to leave your thoughts. We&#8217;d all love to hear from you.</i></b></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/tackle-your-procrastination-problem/">Tackle Your Procrastination Problem</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			

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				<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">407</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>3 Keys to Skyrocket Your Way To Repeated Successes</title>
		<link>https://theexcellingedge.com/3-keys-to-skyrocket-your-way-to-repeated-successes/</link>
		<comments>https://theexcellingedge.com/3-keys-to-skyrocket-your-way-to-repeated-successes/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Apr 2014 16:11:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Justin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Achievement]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Optimal Performance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pursuing Your Potential]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Acknowledge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Arizona Mental Training]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Carol Dweck]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Carry It Forward]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cognitive Training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Consistency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[David Heinemeier Hansson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Failure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jason Fried]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Learn from Success]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Mindsets]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Phoenix Sport Science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rework]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Skyrocket]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Success Phoenix Sport Psychology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Surprise Mental Training]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://theexcellingedge.com/?p=206</guid>

				<description><![CDATA[<p>What separates the most successful people from those who are simply good at what they do? It&#8217;s not talent. It&#8217;s not even skill or ability. The true mark of great performers is that they consistently learn from and build on successes.  Anyone, whether you lead meetings, serve customers, cook dinner or coach rec. league soccer, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/3-keys-to-skyrocket-your-way-to-repeated-successes/">3 Keys to Skyrocket Your Way To Repeated Successes</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></description>
					<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/SUCCESS.png?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-207" alt="SUCCESS" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/SUCCESS.png?resize=760%2C739&#038;ssl=1" width="760" height="739" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/SUCCESS.png?w=797&amp;ssl=1 797w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/SUCCESS.png?resize=600%2C583&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/SUCCESS.png?resize=300%2C291&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /></a></p><a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/3-keys-to-skyrocket-your-way-to-repeated-successes/"></a>
<p>What separates the most successful people from those who are simply good at what they do? It&#8217;s not talent. It&#8217;s not even skill or ability. The true mark of great performers is that they consistently learn from and build on successes.  Anyone, whether you lead meetings, serve customers, cook dinner or coach rec. league soccer, can learn to do the same. Doing so leads to consistently better performance. Who doesn&#8217;t want that?</p>
<p><span id="more-206"></span></p>
<p><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--> Check out this quote from the authors of <i>Rework</i>:</p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/R_Another-common-misconception_-success.png?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-213" alt="R_Another common misconception_ success" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/R_Another-common-misconception_-success.png?resize=550%2C825&#038;ssl=1" width="550" height="825" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/R_Another-common-misconception_-success.png?resize=682%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 682w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/R_Another-common-misconception_-success.png?resize=600%2C900&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/R_Another-common-misconception_-success.png?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/R_Another-common-misconception_-success.png?w=1250&amp;ssl=1 1250w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" /></a></p>
<p>I love this quote because learning from our successes is the secret to growth and consistency.</p>
<p><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--> As a speaker, I get plenty of opportunities to learn from my mistakes. However, what has really helped me take it to the next level has been learning from my successes. As I&#8217;ve continued to gather feedback as a speaker, I&#8217;ve found that there are specific actions and attitudes that correlate with a successful event. By analyzing and collecting those things, I have built a recipe, so to speak, that helps me speak well more consistently. Focusing on the things that lead to success lowers my anxiety, increases my confidence and allows me to trust my ability &#8211; like a golfer must trust her swing.</p>
<p><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--></p>
<p><b>Here are 3 keys that help me sky-rocket my way to repeated successes. I invite you to try them out for yourself. </b></p>
<p><b> <strong>Acknowledge </strong><br />
</b>How often do you do something really well? Sometimes, we don&#8217;t even remember. We blow right past the moment of success and move on to the next task, commitment or challenge. When we don&#8217;t pause to acknowledge our success, we lose a huge opportunity. Just by stopping to recognize we did an awesome job, we begin to build momentum. It all begins here. Once a success is acknowledged, we can access what made it possible.</p>
<p><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--></p>
<div><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--></p>
<div><strong>Break Down the Strategy</strong><br />
Psychologist Carol Dweck highlights the importance of identifying the strategy that led to the success in her book <i>Mindsets: The New Psychology of Success</i>. (See my <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-2r">previous post</a> on helping others do this.) Think about this. How often do you analyze a mistake, setback or failure? Those missteps even keep us awake at night. I&#8217;m not suggesting you lose sleep over successes (or failures either).</div>
<p><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--></p>
<p>We analyze in order to learn and grow by incorporating feedback, the things we need to improve. Why not apply this same thought process to successes? There is much to learn. Ask yourself, &#8220;What led to this success?&#8221; Then, capture the preparation, process and everything that made that success possible. Wait, there&#8217;s more…</p>
<p><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--></p>
<p><b><strong>Carry It Forward </strong><br />
</b>Once you know what led to the success, capitalize on it. Incorporate that same strategy, preparation, and process into your next opportunity. This is the <i>stick with what got you there</i> approach. By amassing the things that led you to success in the past, you are building momentum. That momentum leads to more and more successes. Some call them winning streaks.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--> If you want to bring out your best, more consistently, you must learn from your successes. I started taking this approach in my speaking a few years ago and it has made a tremendous difference. Now, I consistently apply the things that led to past success. Added together, they don&#8217;t leave much room for error. I&#8217;ve noticed, too, this frees my mind up to be in the present moment &#8211; another aspect of being awesome. I&#8217;m not worried about my performance.</p>
<p>So, give these 3 keys a shot and unlock your potential to achieve more consistent success: acknowledge, break down the strategy, carry it forward. See what is made possible for you.</p>
<p><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--></p>
<div><b>Question: What keeps you from building on your past successes? I&#8217;d love for you to share your thoughts in the comments below. </b></div>
<div></div>
<p><b><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--></b></p>
<div><b>Links:</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Success-Carol-Dweck-ebook/dp/B000FCKPHG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;sr=&amp;qid="><i>Mindsets: The New Psychology of Success</i></a> by Carol Dweck</li>
<li>Book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rework-Jason-Fried/dp/0307463745"><em>Rework</em></a> by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson</li>
<li>Post: <a href="http://wp.me/p3SY2C-2r">&#8220;Good Job&#8221; Isn&#8217;t Good Enough: What It Means to Praise the Process</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><b> </b></p>
</div><p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/3-keys-to-skyrocket-your-way-to-repeated-successes/">3 Keys to Skyrocket Your Way To Repeated Successes</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			

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				<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">206</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>&#8220;Good Job&#8221; Isn&#8217;t Good Enough: What It Means to Praise the Process</title>
		<link>https://theexcellingedge.com/good-job-isnt-good-enough-what-it-means-to-praise-the-process/</link>
		<comments>https://theexcellingedge.com/good-job-isnt-good-enough-what-it-means-to-praise-the-process/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Mar 2014 16:02:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Justin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Achievement]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Surprise Sport Psychology]]></category>
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				<description><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="570" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?fit=760%2C570&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?w=1520&amp;ssl=1 1520w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p>Praise can have damaging effects. To a coworker, &#8220;Wow, you learned that new software fast. You&#8217;re a genius.&#8221; To your boss, &#8220;Great sales pitch, you&#8217;re a natural at working the room.&#8221; To your daughter, &#8220;Way to go Casey. You&#8217;re so smart you got an A on that math test.&#8221;  To your wife, &#8220;You look beautiful in [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/good-job-isnt-good-enough-what-it-means-to-praise-the-process/">“Good Job” Isn’t Good Enough: What It Means to Praise the Process</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></description>
					<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="570" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?fit=760%2C570&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?w=1520&amp;ssl=1 1520w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--></p><a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/good-job-isnt-good-enough-what-it-means-to-praise-the-process/"><img width="760" height="570" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?fit=760%2C570&amp;ssl=1" class="featured-image wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?w=1520&amp;ssl=1 1520w" sizes="(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /></a>
<div>Praise can have damaging effects. To a coworker, &#8220;Wow, you learned that new software fast. You&#8217;re a genius.&#8221; To your boss, &#8220;Great sales pitch, you&#8217;re a natural at working the room.&#8221; To your daughter, &#8220;Way to go Casey. You&#8217;re so smart you got an A on that math test.&#8221;  To your wife, &#8220;You look beautiful in that dress, all done up.&#8221; What is wrong with praise like this?</div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div>The research of Dr. Carol Dweck, author of <i>Mindsets: The New Psychology of Success</i>, finds that praise centered on a person or his/her ability may actually sabotage performance. <span id="more-151"></span>The statements above seem encouraging on the surface, but the recipient grasps a deeper message. The coworker, &#8220;If it takes me longer to learn something, I&#8217;m not that smart after all.&#8221; Your boss, &#8220;If I take risks in my sales pitch, people may discover I have to prepare a lot to deliver like that.&#8221; Your daughter, &#8220;If I want people to think I&#8217;m smart I have to get A&#8217;s. I better not take that honors class.&#8221; Your wife, &#8220;He only thinks I&#8217;m pretty when I&#8217;m all fancied up.&#8221; You get the idea. Thankfully, in contrast, Dweck and others have found praising the process, effort, action or strategy can have quite the opposite effect.</div>
<div>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-153" alt="Praise assortment" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?resize=550%2C412&#038;ssl=1" width="550" height="412" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Praise-assortment.jpg?w=1520&amp;ssl=1 1520w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" /></a></p>
</div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div>As a USPTA tennis professional, I went through a fairly thorough certification process. One thing that really stuck with me was what I learned about giving feedback. Players should receive a consistent diet of specific, behavior-based praise to reinforce proper techniques, tactics and other desirable actions. For example, I might say to a player, &#8220;Nice cross-over step, and you kept your racquet out in front on that volley; excellent.&#8221; I caught players doing things right. I quickly learned to praise what I wanted repeated. I taught players to perform consistently by repeating all the right things and thus eliminating undesired actions.</div>
<div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div>
<div>In classrooms and businesses today, the push is to &#8220;catch people doing something right.&#8221;  Ken Blanchard&#8217;s book by that title employs leaders to focus on the positives, to call out those desired behaviors as a way to empower their team members. Parents, teachers, and coaches can all apply the same approach. Further research suggests that what we recognize and the words we say have huge implications. In fact, we may completely miss the mark if we aren&#8217;t highly attuned to what we are praising in our homes, classrooms and business teams.</div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<p><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--></p>
<div><b>If you aim to shape the attitudes and actions of other people (young and old alike), here are 4 compelling reasons you should praise the process:</b></div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div><strong>Praising the Process Leads to Increased Effort and Persistence</strong><br />
Praising people on your team for the progress they made and for how they stayed hopeful in the face of setbacks reinforces those behaviors. Soon your whole team will look for ways to solve problems and overcome obstacles on their own. Doing the same with children helps them focus on applying more effort instead of throwing in the towel when the going gets tough. Praising the process teaches a &#8220;never give up&#8221; attitude and that perseverance pays off through prolonged effort.<br />
<strong><br />
</strong></div>
<div><strong>Praising the Process Leads to Greater Enjoyment and Engagement</strong><br />
In contrast, praising only results and outcomes can teach people to overlook how they got there. Sales teams struggle with this when incentives are over-emphasized. A top performer stops producing when he has reached his quota. Teens can be the same way. They learn to take short-cuts, cut corners and give the least amount of effort as long as the assignment is turned in or the goals are met. However, praising others for their creative problem solving, critical thinking and listening to the customer&#8217;s needs focuses them on the path, not the outcome. They learn to enjoy day-to-day work, not just days when they make the sale, ship the product or hit a home run. Kids learn to enjoy learning, discovery and questioning rather than getting the grade and passing the test. Novel idea, I know.<br />
<strong><br />
</strong></div>
<div><strong>Praising the Process Leads to Growth</strong><br />
High achievers focus on improvement, honing their craft and getting better. Average achievers aim to prove they have what it takes, the ability or knowhow. For the average performer, success validates what  she hopes to be true about herself &#8211; she has the ability to win. But failures validate worst fears &#8211; she doesn&#8217;t have what it takes. &#8220;I&#8217;m not smart enough for this job.&#8221; Worse, she doesn&#8217;t think she has any control over her ability to learn and grow. Dweck calls this a Fixed Mindset. Praising individuals and their abilities perpetuates this and stifles the individual&#8217;s potential.</div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div>Praising the process, however, teaches team members that they are in control, that they can adapt, learn and improve. A young professional may think, &#8220;I can&#8217;t improve smart, but I can hone my ability to try hard, study, prepare and communicate better.&#8221; Praise that focuses on the strategy that led to success will pay big dividends in that individual&#8217;s future successes. Now she knows what to repeat and sustain to get results.<br />
<strong> </strong></div>
<div><strong>Praising the Process Leads to Higher Performance </strong><br />
Nothing worth achieving comes easy. Your organization won&#8217;t accomplish much without its share of obstacles and setbacks. Neither will your family. If a person develops persistence, is engaged and is growing (because you praised the process) it stands to reason that he will also perform at a higher level. He won&#8217;t back down from a challenge because he&#8217;s afraid to fail. Your coworker will get even better at presentations because he prepares. Your daughter will accept the challenge of an honors class. Your wife will know that you appreciate her intellect and diligence, not just her beauty. People will take risks. Those risks may carry great reward, not just around the office, but at home and on the playing field too.</div>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?-->&#8220;Where there is genuine encouragement, people excel and succeed, not because they are told to but because they want to,&#8221; said Ronald Reagan. If you want your spouse, students and team to pursue their greatest potential, develop winning streaks or take your organization to the next level, praise. Praising the person, their ability or looks isn&#8217;t all bad. However, you don&#8217;t want it to make up the majority of your praise. Instead, praise the process that led to the successful outcomes. Tell them what you want repeated and it will spread like wild fire. &#8220;Good job&#8221; isn&#8217;t near good enough. Be specific. Keep it coming. That is how to motivate people and take them to the next level again and again.</p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong> </strong></p>
<p><b>Question: I&#8217;m curious how you have used praise to shape the actions of people around you. Please share your experiences in the comments below.</b></p>
<p><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--></p>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div><b><strong> </strong>Links:</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Catch-People-Doing-Something-Right/dp/1890009644"><i>Catch Them Doing Something Right</i></a> by Ken Blanchard</li>
<li>Book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Success-Carol-Dweck-ebook/dp/B000FCKPHG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;sr=&amp;qid="><i>Mindset: The New Psychology of Success</i></a> by Carol Dweck</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
</div>
</div><p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/good-job-isnt-good-enough-what-it-means-to-praise-the-process/">“Good Job” Isn’t Good Enough: What It Means to Praise the Process</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			

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		<title>Should You Keep Your Goals A Secret?</title>
		<link>https://theexcellingedge.com/should-you-keep-your-goals-a-secret/</link>
		<comments>https://theexcellingedge.com/should-you-keep-your-goals-a-secret/#respond</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Mar 2014 06:00:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Justin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Achievement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Goal Setting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Motivation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Excellence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[accountability]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[achievement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Derek Sivers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[goal plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[goal setting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motivation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[recruit support]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[share your goals]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://theexcellingedge.com/?p=120</guid>

				<description><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="475" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?fit=760%2C475&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?resize=600%2C375&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?resize=300%2C187&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?resize=1024%2C640&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?w=1520&amp;ssl=1 1520w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p>In 2006, I announced to my friends and family that I was going to attend graduate school. Indeed, in 2007 my dad and I drove my overstuffed car of belongings nearly 2,000 miles from Virginia to Arizona where I started my graduate program. In 2010 I announced to my wife and family that I was [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/should-you-keep-your-goals-a-secret/">Should You Keep Your Goals A Secret?</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></description>
					<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="475" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?fit=760%2C475&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?resize=600%2C375&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?resize=300%2C187&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?resize=1024%2C640&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?w=1520&amp;ssl=1 1520w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--></p><a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/should-you-keep-your-goals-a-secret/"><img width="760" height="475" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?fit=760%2C475&amp;ssl=1" class="featured-image wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?resize=600%2C375&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?resize=300%2C187&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?resize=1024%2C640&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/microphone-dark.jpg?w=1520&amp;ssl=1 1520w" sizes="(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /></a>
<div>In 2006, I announced to my friends and family that I was going to attend graduate school. Indeed, in 2007 my dad and I drove my overstuffed car of belongings nearly 2,000 miles from Virginia to Arizona where I started my graduate program. In 2010 I announced to my wife and family that I was going to start my own business. That&#8217;s exactly what I did in 2011. However, some say we shouldn&#8217;t tell a soul the things we wish to achieve.</div>
<div><strong> <span id="more-120"></span></strong></div>
<div>Derek Sivers believes I may have achieved more if I&#8217;d just kept my mouth shut. Take a look at his talk from the 2010 TED Conference. In it, Derek, gives some compelling reasons why not to share our goals with anyone. Mainly, he believes it sucks the motivation right out of us. I disagree with his conclusions, but take 3 minutes and see for yourself. This rest of this post will make a bit more sense if you do.</div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div><iframe loading="lazy" src="https://embed-ssl.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_keep_your_goals_to_yourself.html" width="574" height="321" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px #999999 solid; background-color: #eaeaea; padding: 6px 6px 6px 6px; font-size: 10px; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; width: 560px;">If you can&rsquo;t see this video in your RSS reader or email, then <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/should-you-keep-your-goals-a-secret/" title="Should You Keep Your Goals A Secret?">click here</a>.</div></div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div><strong> </strong><br />
I&#8217;ve been telling people to share their goals with others, build accountability and recruit supporters for years.  Have I been steering people wrong? You&#8217;ve shared your goals in the past. Have you been cutting yourself off at the knees?</div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div>I think not. I think there is more to the story. Here&#8217;s why:</div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div><b>Images Build Motivation.</b></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Yes, when we share our goals with someone, there is often a sensation of accomplishment and excitement that goes with that. Also, when we share our goals, our mind often flashes up pictures of us working towards or even accomplishing the final outcome.</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong> </strong></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Test this out yourself. Just think of that moment when the project, race, degree, or (fill in the blank) is finally done. What kind of emotions are you experiencing right now? Likely, you&#8217;re feeling eager, expectant, perhaps relieved. These are the kind of images that we want to cultivate to keep us motivated, not avoid. When the going gets tough, picture the finish line and what your life will be like once that goal has been attained. I encourage this in my clients and whether they feel relieved or a bit burdened by the work it will take to get there, the image is a valuable one.</div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div></div>
<div><b>Pressured vs. Valued.</b></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">If you are sharing your goal with other people to build in some accountability, isn&#8217;t that a good thing? Yes and no. Initially, telling people your goals so you&#8217;ll feel pressured to accomplish them works great. It gets you up off the couch and making progress. The problem lies when the going gets tough. People forget about your goal and don&#8217;t hold you accountable.</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong> </strong></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">Fear of embarrassment isn&#8217;t nearly as strong as wanting to accomplish the goal for the sheer pride and self-satisfaction. If you are trying to lose 15 lbs because you see yourself as a healthy person but aren&#8217;t&#8217; showing it right now, that&#8217;s more motivating than the fear of embarrassment. You value your health, so you have a deep desire to live according to that value. You want to hit that next product deadline because you see yourself as someone who strives for excellence in everything you do. Now, you&#8217;re going to be more likely to achieve that than if you simply don&#8217;t want to let your team down. You value excellence, so your desire to come through by the deadline is fueled from within.</div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">So, while we may need that extra push, it&#8217;s aligning our actions with our values that creates lasting change.</div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div><b>No Help Equals Limited Success. </b></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">I&#8217;ve achieved small goals, more like tasks really, without any help. You probably have too. But, for the big accomplishments, I couldn&#8217;t have done it on my own. Sharing my goals with others is less about accountability and more about recruiting support. I&#8217;ll be the first to tell you, because I tell people all the time, that I don&#8217;t accomplish anything of significance if my wife isn&#8217;t on the team. Without her encouragement, allowing time for things to get done, time away from the family, and being a tremendous sounding board &#8211; I would achieve very little.</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong> </strong></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">When I don&#8217;t share my goal, I limit the wisdom gained from others. I don&#8217;t learn from someone who has been down that road before. It&#8217;s like self-sabotaging my accomplishments. If I want to fail, then I should just keep my mouth shut.</div>
<div></div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div>Setting out to achieve something that matters, that makes a difference, that takes sacrifice, is a risk. I agree that it&#8217;s also a risk to share that goal with others. Perhaps not every goal needs to be shared. Therefore, here are 3 practices that work for me when I choose to share my goals:</div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>I recruit people onto my team judiciously. Not just anyone make the cut. I share my goals with people who will be supportive but truthful, and who will help hold me accountable.</li>
<li>When I share my goals with others, I share part of the plan too. This fits with what Derek Sivers mentioned about sharing your goals. I tell them that it&#8217;s going to be hard, a lot of work and that it isn&#8217;t going to come easy. This keeps my mind focused on the journey, not just the outcome.</li>
<li>Too keep the motivation flowing and commitment alive, I connect the goal to who I am. Basically, I answer the question, &#8220;Why does this goal matter to me?&#8221; I write it down and keep it visible.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div></div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div><b>Question: What do you consider when deciding whether or not to share your goals with others? I&#8217;d be curious to learn from your experiences too. Please share with other readers by leaving a comment below.</b></div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div><em><strong> Links: </strong></em></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Video: <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_keep_your_goals_to_yourself.html"><span style="color: #0000ff;">Derek Sivers: Keep Your Goals to Yourself</span></a></span></li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</div><p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/should-you-keep-your-goals-a-secret/">Should You Keep Your Goals A Secret?</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			

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		<title>Retrain Your Resistance: 3 Steps to More Productive Thinking</title>
		<link>https://theexcellingedge.com/retrain-your-resistance-3-steps-to-more-productive-thinking/</link>
		<comments>https://theexcellingedge.com/retrain-your-resistance-3-steps-to-more-productive-thinking/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Feb 2014 12:00:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Justin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Achievement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Counterproductive Thoughts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal Excellence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Productive Thinking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Retraining Your Brain]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[3 I's]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[adaptive thinking]]></category>
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				<description><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="503" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?fit=760%2C503&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?w=3984&amp;ssl=1 3984w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?resize=600%2C397&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?resize=1024%2C678&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?w=1520&amp;ssl=1 1520w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?w=2280&amp;ssl=1 2280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p>Listen. Do you hear that? Do you hear that voice inside your head holding you back, telling you why you will fail and why you don&#8217;t have what it takes? Steven Pressfield calls this Resistance. You aren&#8217;t in this alone. As it turns out, we all hear voices. Most of the time our inner thoughts simmer in [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/retrain-your-resistance-3-steps-to-more-productive-thinking/">Retrain Your Resistance: 3 Steps to More Productive Thinking</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></description>
					<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img width="760" height="503" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?fit=760%2C503&amp;ssl=1" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?w=3984&amp;ssl=1 3984w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?resize=600%2C397&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?resize=1024%2C678&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?w=1520&amp;ssl=1 1520w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?w=2280&amp;ssl=1 2280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /><p><!--?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?--></p><a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/retrain-your-resistance-3-steps-to-more-productive-thinking/"><img width="760" height="503" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?fit=760%2C503&amp;ssl=1" class="featured-image wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?w=3984&amp;ssl=1 3984w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?resize=600%2C397&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?resize=1024%2C678&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?w=1520&amp;ssl=1 1520w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?w=2280&amp;ssl=1 2280w" sizes="(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px" /></a>
<div>Listen. Do you hear that? Do you hear that voice inside your head holding you back, telling you why you will fail and why you don&#8217;t have what it takes? Steven Pressfield calls this Resistance. You aren&#8217;t in this alone. As it turns out, we all hear voices. Most of the time our inner thoughts simmer in and out of our awareness throughout the day like a spotty radio station.</div>
<div><b> <span id="more-99"></span></b></div>
<div>Our thoughts often narrate our experience of the life going on around us through the lens we use to see the world. Sometimes our thoughts critique, offer encouragement or provide color commentary for the events we encounter moment-to-moment. Astonishingly, some research puts the number of thoughts we have in a given day in the tens of thousands. Impressive. Exhausting. However, for most people, 70% of our thoughts are counterproductive or neutral. Wow! No wonder we struggle to stay focused, move forward and achieve our goals.</div>
<div><b> </b></div>
<div> <a href="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?ssl=1"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-100" alt="boxing gloves_fight thoughts" src="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?resize=550%2C364&#038;ssl=1" width="550" height="364" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?resize=1024%2C678&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?resize=600%2C397&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?resize=300%2C198&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?w=1520&amp;ssl=1 1520w, https://i0.wp.com/theexcellingedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/boxing-gloves_fight-thoughts.jpg?w=2280&amp;ssl=1 2280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px" /></a></div>
<div><b> </b></div>
<div>To be honest, sometimes my thoughts can get the better of me. This especially happens when I try to do something that matters. Maybe this happens to you too. My thoughts shoot down my dreams, fill my head with doubts or worries or snip quick jabs about how I&#8217;m not good enough. But, I&#8217;ve learned that I can fight back; throw some punches back at those counterproductive thoughts.</div>
<div></div>
<div><b> </b></div>
<div><b>I&#8217;ve learned that we can retrain our brain and be more productive in our thinking. Here are 3 steps you can take toward retraining your brain.</b></div>
<div><b> </b></div>
<div><b>Step #1: Identify the counterproductive thought</b></div>
<div>Imagine for a moment that you&#8217;re about to give a speech (rated a higher fear than death by many) to a small group of professionals who are intelligent and, luckily, kind. In that moment, ask yourself, &#8220;What&#8217;s going through my mind right now?&#8221; You may be thinking…&#8221;They won&#8217;t care about what I have to say,&#8221; &#8220;I&#8217;m going to forget my key points,&#8221; or &#8220;What will I do for lunch today?&#8221;. Notice how each impacts your (a) emotions, (b) physiology and (c) ability to focus on your objective. None of these examples are setting you up for success. If you don&#8217;t like the impact of your thoughts, they are likely counterproductive. Learning to identify the counterproductive thought is step #1.</div>
<div><b><br />
Step #2: Interrupt the the counterproductive thought</b></div>
<div>Shout the word &#8220;STOP!&#8221; Then, imagine a large, bright red STOP sign in front of you, 10 feet away and flying right at you at top speed. Imagine reaching out to stop that sign with your hand in front of you. This interrupts the counterproductive thought and puts you in an offensive position. Lastly, take a slow, deep breath down into your gut and let it out slowly. This activates an opposite physiological response than the stress of a counterproductive thought, your parasympathetic nervous system. Rather than working you up into a stressed out mess, this recalibrates your mind and body, allowing you to be more adaptive in your thinking, putting you back in control.</div>
<div><b><br />
Step #3: Insert a more productive thought </b></div>
<div>This is where we get back on track, build our confidence and prepare to succeed. Recall your goal, objective, hard work and preparation, or even past successes. In the example of giving a speech, you may insert a more productive thought such as, &#8220;Relax. I know what I&#8217;m talking about because I&#8217;ve studied the information and reviewed it with my team.&#8221; Or, for the sake of argument, let&#8217;s say that you know you didn&#8217;t prepare as much as you would have liked. You could insert, &#8220;Sure I could have prepared more, but the reality is I can focus on what I know and it&#8217;s okay if I can&#8217;t answer every question. I&#8217;ll find the answer afterwards.&#8221;<b><br />
</b></div>
<div><b> </b></div>
<div></div>
<div>Zig Zigler said, &#8220;The most influential person you talk to all day is yourself.&#8221; What kind of influence are you? What&#8217;s more is that by repeating these 3 I&#8217;s (Identify, Interrupt, Insert) each time you notice a counterproductive thought, you&#8217;ll be retraining your brain to think more productively. Soon your thoughts will be your best positive influence rather than your own worst enemy. When it&#8217;s go time, the big question is, are your thoughts working for you or against you? If they&#8217;re working for you, encouraging, focusing, goal-directed thoughts, great! Keep &#8217;em coming! But, if not, give these 3 I&#8217;s a try and retrain your inner Resistance.</div>
<div> <b> </b></div>
<div>
<p>Question: In what areas of your life do counterproductive thoughts hold you back? What strategies do you use to fight back? I invite you to leave a comment below.</p>
</div>
<div><strong> </strong><em><strong>Links: (posts, books, links, etc.)</strong></em></p>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Book: <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a href="http://www.stevenpressfield.com/the-war-of-art/"><span style="color: #0000ff;"><i>The War of Art</i></span></a></span> by Steven Pressfield</li>
<li>Post: Read more about when Resistance rears its head in <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a href="http://michaelhyatt.com/11-situations-that-elicit-resistance.html"><span style="color: #0000ff;">11 Situations That Elicit Resistance</span></a></span> by Michael Hyatt</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The post <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com/retrain-your-resistance-3-steps-to-more-productive-thinking/">Retrain Your Resistance: 3 Steps to More Productive Thinking</a> first appeared on <a href="https://theexcellingedge.com">The Excelling Edge</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			

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