If at first you do succeed, try something harder
ByThe willingness to take greater risks is a major key to achieving success, and you may be surprised that it can solve two very different kinds of problems.
The problem of hitting ALL of your goals,
AND
The problem of hitting NO goals… because you never make any.
Let’s look at #1: You’re not afraid to set goals and commit to a course of action. That’s the good news. But the goals you set are not hard to meet. In fact, you achieve success in them with little effort or time invested. That’s the bad news, because the road to success is uphill. You can’t coast and climb at the same time. Your solution: Take more risks; set more challenging – even frightening – goals. No, you probably won’t achieve all of them. But you will have stretched yourself and grown in the process. And the successes you have will be that much sweeter.
Now, on to #2: You may work hard and keep busy, but your labor lacks direction. Your successes are haphazard and unrepeatable. You’re like an archer without a target: sending arrow after arrow off in some general direction. Your avoidance of goals probably means you’re afraid to fail. “If I don’t set any goals, then I can’t fail at meeting them,” is your mantra. Again, you’re not taking any risks. Your solution: Paint some targets, in a variety of sizes. Give yourself big, medium and small goals, so you can start succeeding and develop momentum.
For today: Think about something you’d like to achieve. Make it big enough to scare you a little. Now write down a plan for moving toward it. Create mini-goals within the big goal, to set yourself up for continual progress. And include some risks. Find parts of the process where you can push the envelope, take more chances, and increase your opportunity for success.
This was timely. I now to mix up small goals and stretching goal to keep encouraged. Thx
Great article John. In my view it’s not a great goal if it doesn’t scare you at least a little bit. When we feel secure with our own ability, we usually forget to involve God on the process.
Thank U so much!
Be blessed
What an awesome message! Thank you so much for sharing this. God bless you!
Excellent as always John. Thanks for the constant inspiration
Great words John. You always have something inspirational to say! I was at the Business function in Spokane Oregon, last weekend. And you spoke a few times, and your words really hit me hard. But in a good way. They inspired me.! Very much so. You’re a great person, John. Keep it up(:
Thanks for the challenge! Clearly you have lived this and therefore have the authority to speak on the topic. I am learning to do the same and needed this reminder!
Blessings
Trudy
This message is for me. I have always been way of risks and making mistakes. I now confirm that without risk there is no progress.
Thank you John and thank God for making you the motivational teacher that you are.
Blessings…
Thanks for the reminder. U rocked Spokane and your “connect” book is so appreciated. It’s the key to ur success. Thanks again John!
Thanks for the reminder it couldn’t have come at a better time
Excellent post as always. Really enjoyed seeing you at 12Stone on Sunday. Thanks for being there!
Hi John,
I agree with Dr. Bush that goals should scare you a little. I would also like to add that one should focus on who do you have to become to reach your goal. If your goals do not change you into a better and different person then your goal really isn’t a goal because it’s within your reach.
Goals should turn the person pursuing it into Gold!
Take Care,
Gerald
This has definitely given me new drive to succeed.
Just today I felt like I was losing my inspiration to succeed.
Thanks John.
Tumi.
Thanks John, good word of encouragement! Keep it up, that is what you do best.
Great read!! Thanks!
I think it is important to listen to those around you. You may be success driven and a goal for you would be to slow down and spend more quality time with your family. On the other hand if people are saying you need to get a job then that may need to be your goal. Goals should promote quality of life and improve you and those around you. A personal goal may to be spend time in the word of God. Although, this may not seem productive as going into work early or working out physically, it is just as, if not more important. Listen to those still small voices should lead us into the right direction.
Blessing
excellent advice. Goals should always be adjusted upward as we close in on them.
great article, I agree goals are so important as it gives you direction and motivation
Sweta
This is just awesome. i learn something and going to implement as well. Thanks John
Hhis was very timely, I am working two projects that this will be useful with. The first is with our network marketing company and setting goals for those that have never set and worked them. Then the second is teaching an emergency management class. There we address them as Objectives. So thanks for this!
I had a pastor friend of mine say one time that a survey was done at retirement homes and the elderly were given the question of “If you could do one think different in life, what would it be?” And the shocking response from most were, “Take more chances.”
I think we find ourselves walking by faith less and are putting our lives in a position to trust in ourselves more. Silent happenings with undetected days gone by…..
Great advice. I couldn’t agree more about the problem of setting goals too low for yourself. It truly is the difference between good and great.
this message is relevant and uplifting. what you are saying or suggesting to us is simple, true and straightforward and i think even a layman can understand it and apply it to himself.
thank you for your message and God bless you peace.
Thank You Thank You Thank You, for always reminding me to be the best I can be, what a great teacher and leader you are!
I have set a goal,and it’s going to take at least four more year’s ,before it becomes a reality,meaning it’ll be manafested,when it’s in the natural,it’s a vision,for now,but it is in the makeing of manafestion,within the next four year’s.But hard goal’s are alway’s good.Because you learn as you go along,and learn not to make the same mistakes,that caused you to fail the first time,or the hunred time.J.R.Agosto
great advice. the challenge is to be aware of the things at the moment which could be tons of things to do and get drowned and drained by it and these dont really get you to what you want to achieve.
I love your work and reading all of the comments. This helps in growing in the right direction.
Went straight to doing it (the goals list) and immediately things became clearer! Thanks for the push into the right direction!
I am always kick on d go track getting ur wonderful,impacting mail.kudos.
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“If fact if you do succeed, try something harder”
So far I haven’t succeeded and no one believes in me, nor will acknowledge my efforts. But I refuse to give up. If I die trying and die alone, I still die. When people hear my name they run from me. Opposition and rejection have met me at “every” turn. I love the fact that you teach leaders to listen and value those that follow them and encourage and believe in people to believe in all that they can be. That is why I follow you! Thanks for encouraging leaders on how to lead, becasuse most leaders are not leaders at all they are discouragers and fearful of the unknown.
I am trying to reach goals in my mission work.
Good thought. It immediately brought to mind a couple goals that I probably need to re-visit. Thanks for a great post! jack
P.S. Cracking open your new book tonight and I can’t wait to tear into it!
What a great message!
Also I really enjoyed the chick filet leadership cast on friday. It was so refreshing as a business leader and a mom. The message above is great for all aspects of life, but I especially appreciate it as a mom. One to teach the kids for sure.
I’ve always wanted to be a successful woman but how to go about it, i did not know, you are blessing because you’ve opened my eyes on how i can succeed in life. thank you! and God bless
John, new post please.
Thanks,
Christy Moosa.
Love you for all you do, I need to keep thinking. Love you.
John, my brother introduced me to you some time ago. More recently I came across your blog, and am happy God led me to it. I am in a new business field, and this post helped me realize I need to set some clear goals for myself that will be hard to reach–But Worth It!
Thanks and Peace,
Greg Lerdahl