10 Empowering Questions to Help Achieve your Goals

10 Empowering Questions to Help Achieve Your Goals

What are your goals? And could you quickly recite what they are, and the status of your progress?

“To reach your goals you need to clearly define them.”

Have you ever done a copy-­‐and-­‐paste of your goals from the previous year because you didn't accomplish any of them? I have. I've also found myself coming up with goals in line with everyone else's -­‐-­‐ to weigh less, spend less, earn more.

When we set goals by just going through the motions, we have little chance for success. At best, we might luck into a little progress, but it's never very satisfying. Instead, taking time to reflect, leads to knowing ourselves better. And when we know ourselves, setting the goals for what's next becomes easier.

Defining your goals sounds easy. Simply put down the goal and perhaps a few details. However, when you dig deeper,

you’ll find a huge opportunity to question everything. The Why, the How, the When, and even the What.

Here are the 10 Empowering Questions to Ask Yourself:

1. What Goals Did I Achieve Last Year?

Looking back to your past is important when looking toward the future. Reflection is Key. Think of a goal that you had last year…big or small. Got it? Now, take a moment and remember how great it was to achieve this.

The takeaway here is to really be proud and visualize the hard work and commitment it took to get it done. By feeling the accomplishment, you can reconnect with the emotions you had not only in the completion, but also in the journey. History repeats itself, and feeling passionate is the first step to determining success.

2. What Did I Do to Accomplish This?

Now that you’ve gotten back into the headspace of success...think about all that you did to make that goal a reality. What strategy helped you to figure out how to achieve that goal? It’s important to keep your strategy in mind, because it’s basically the overall game plan. What made you stick to your plan and why did it accomplish the desired outcome?

The power that you called to you is impressive and it’s those exact feelings and energy that you can use going forward. The people that succeed the most, learn from their past success and emulate that experience.

3. What Did I Learn About Myself Through This Process?

Develop a clear vision of what you gained by achieving that goal. How do you see yourself now that you’ve accomplished it?

Mentally rehearse what your life will be like upon goal completion. What did you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel?

Use your senses to get clear on the external and internal outcome of personal achievement.

This is your "goal achievement" vision. Once you've done this, it's time to move on to design a strategy.

4. What Are My Goals for This Year?

Here we go! This is where the fun begins. Here you get to be creative and ask the universe for whatever you want.

What are your Goals?

What speaks to you most and why? Figuring out this is the first step to moving forward. Without a clearly defined goal, you can’t clearly see the path in front of you. It’s like walking around in the dark, whereas having a vision and direction is like sprinting through that same forest in broad daylight.

Your goal can be whatever you want it to be, so long as it’s YOURS.

First consider what you want to achieve, and then commit to it. Set SMART (specific, measureable, attainable, relevant and timely) goals that motivate you and write them down to make them feel tangible. Then plan the steps you must take to realize your goal, and cross off each one as you work through them.

5. Why Do I Want to Succeed in This?

Why are your goals… goals? Why do you want to accomplish them? Are they part of your passion and being? Or are they part of a superficial race you are running simply because that is what society wants you to do? “Why” is perhaps the most important question you need to answer about your goals.

It is the quintessential reason for all things. Getting really worked up and passionate about your why can give you all

the power you need to push forward like you never have before.

6. How Will I Feel When I Achieve Them?

Will you be joyful or relieved? Will you feel satisfied or stress-­‐free? The desire to shift our reality and our state is the hallmark of why we want to do anything in the first place. If we are hungry, we do something to not be that way. The same is true for our goals. If there is something we want to achieve…it’s because there is something we want to change.

Let’s go back to the analogy of hunger for a moment. How do you feel when you are hungry? Ok, got it? How do you feel when you are full? Quite the difference. Now do the same for your goals. Tap into the feeling of completion on your particular goal: the success and the accomplishment.

What does that feel like? Take a moment and think about or write down those feelings in detail. Getting in tune with all the feelings that come up will give you a greater sense of visualization…and that’s the first step to manifestation.

7. What Will Be Different in My Life When I Do?

What happens when you accomplish this goal or goals?

How will your life be enhanced by the successful completion of them? The end result is very important,

much like your “why”. Knowing what you are in store for at the end of the rainbow can be a huge motivating factor.

Really take the time to assess this for yourself, and when you do, step into that future. Feel that moment and experience all that you’ve gained. Maybe it’s financial freedom, the relationship of your dreams, or being healthy and in shape. Whatever it is for you, get crystal clear on the result and what changes in your life.

8. How Can I Use My Past Successes to Help Me in This Process?

Detail your accomplishments to date to show that you have already been able to effectively achieve goals. The first steps in this process gave you a reminder of your past successes. That’s great! Think back to those again. What about those achievements can you use in your goals now?

What would be the same and different? There’s always room for improvement even in past triumphs.

9. Who Can Help Me Achieve This?

Truly great goals require us to go beyond ourselves. Every successful person learned from someone else. Plan in advance how you will get the assistance you need. No matter how driven you are, it can be challenging to achieve success single-­‐handedly. Even if someone else isn’t

aiding you directly, it’s helpful to establish a few individuals whom you can emulate, who will inspire you to persevere or hold you accountable.

For example, a mentor can dispense valuable advice so that you won’t have to learn basic lessons the hard way.

You might benefit from an Accountability Team to keep you motivated and hold you…you know…accountable. Find specific people who can help you bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be!

10. Are My Goals Written Down?

Writing your goals down is a magical act. It makes them real. It clarifies them, and helps bring definition and accountability to them. Don’t let this process overwhelm you -­‐-­‐ rely on instinct. Set a timer for three minutes and get all of your goals down on paper without worrying about how difficult achieving them will be. After that, go back and brainstorm what changes you’ll have to implement or lifestyle adjustments you’ll have to make in order to make your goals a reality. Whatever you do, don’t tuck your list in a drawer somewhere, but refer to it regularly. Post in on your wall, fridge, or computer screen.

After all…

Visualization is the First Step to Manifestation.

BONUS QUESTION

Do You BELIEVE in Your Goals?

More than anyone else, YOU have to believe in your goals.

There will be critics, doubters, and people who want to see you fail. Don’t listen to them. Listen to the inner voice that drives you. It reminds you that everyday you are one step closer to success. This is YOUR goal and YOUR journey. Celebrate the fact that you have made the first steps and are continuing to desire something for yourself!