Some days you begin with the best intentions … and end with the feeling that you achieved nothing of substance.
You sit down at your desk, determined to get things done. Then you answer a dozen emails… take a few phone calls… answer a question from your boss… help a colleague solve a problem…
And before you know it, the day’s over and you haven’t really accomplished anything.
What if you could start each day secure in the knowledge that you WILL make strides toward your goals? What if you could leave the office each day with a feeling of satisfaction?
Here’s the secret: Focus attention on the daily tasks that will lead to success.
Before you complete any part of your morning routine, ask yourself this question: “What am I trying to accomplish?” More specifically, “What am I trying to accomplish today?”
It’s a short question, but it packs a big punch.
So, ask yourself again: “What am I trying to accomplish today?” And continue to ask this question every day, and several times a day, to maintain your focus.
Do you know what you want to accomplish long-term? Just as important, do you know what you have to accomplish on a daily basis to reach that goal? Do you know what you have to accomplish today?
Professor Richard Wiseman who wrote the book 59 Seconds: Think a lot. Change a little, presents scientifically proven techniques that help you achieve your aims and ambitions in less than a minute.
And it all starts by asking yourself, “What am I trying to accomplish today?”
Here are some tips to help your achieve your goals:
- Prioritise – don’t overdo your commitments, it is better to concentrate on one goal (and get there) than set three or four goals and achieve none. The chances of success are greater when you channel their energy into just one task at a time. If you have more than one thing that you want to attain, prioritise.
- Be Specific – be specific, plan ahead and focus on creating goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time based (SMART). Break your goal down into small, achievable steps, with a clear end point and give each of these steps a time frame. Have a way of measuring if you are on track for reaching your goal.
- Commit – write it down and place it somewhere prominent on your desk. Writing down your goal makes it more concrete and helps you to stay focused. Write it is present tenses, as if you have already achieved it. Your subconscious mind is very literal. If you think of your goal as being in the future, your subconscious will work at keeping it in the future. If you think of it as if you have already achieved it, then your subconscious mind will work with you to make that a reality.
- Be persistent – keep checking you are on task and bring your focus back to the goal you want to achieve. But also be flexible – unexpected things happen, new challenges come up and you must be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly.
- Be positive – focus on what you want rather than what you don’t want. Be realistic and set a goal that can be achieved.
- Visualise – use your imagination to really feel what it will be like to have achieved your goal, when you know you have succeeded. Focusing on the result will help to keep you motivated. Use a carrot not the stick – it is better to think about how good you will feel having achieved what you set out to. Reward yourself.
» What are you trying to accomplish today?