How to Crush Goals: Three Principles for Success

This article was originally published on Forbes, here.

It’s the middle of January. Not only is it crazy cold, but it’s been a couple of weeks since most of us set big goals for the New Year. That excitement and determination we felt on New Year’s Eve about “training for a marathon!” or maybe “giving up donuts!” is starting to fall flat as thoughts like “running in January sucks” or “Wait. Donuts are amazing.” start to plant roots in your mind.

Last year I set so many goals for myself and I ended up falling short on many of them. I had a big vision and great intentions! But reaching a goal is like running a very long race – it requires fuel, patience and sometimes your very own cheering squad (#GORYAN!). This year I wanted to finish the race but realized that this time I needed to set myself up for success. I wasn’t going to win if I ran myself into the ground by thinking I could make tons of changes. Instead, I was going to focus on the three things that were the MOST important to me. Three goals that could actually change my life.

Did you know that only 8% of people achieve the goals they make for the New Year? And most people give up by the middle of February! So, before you reach for that donut, think about joining me and committing to real change in the #3 for 2019 challenge. My #3for2019 are:

1. Be a better husband. I’m going to communicate better and be more present for my beautiful wife.
2. Increase my network of contacts by 1,000 people. This means meeting 2-3 new people every single day.
3. Be a strong leader. I will consistently show appreciation for my team, even if it’s something as simple as saying “thank you.”

I’m not going to let these goals die and end up in the graveyard of year end goals (like 92% of people do). These goals are too important, and I want to beat the odds and feel the deep satisfaction that comes from embarking on true change. If you’re starting to think the idea of running a marathon is ridiculous, please join me! Let’s stay motivated together by following a few basic principles to keep our goals alive:

1. Simple but not easy: Don’t over think or over complicate your goals. Focus on putting one step in front of the other, each little movement propelling you towards the finish line.  Giving up donuts in the name of health is a simple idea, but we all know it’s not easy to execute when your colleague shows up with a dozen from your favorite bakery on her birthday. If reaching a goal was easy, it would just be another item to cross off on your to do list. It takes strength and perseverance to get there.
2. Resistance equals growth: Every single obstacle you conquer along the way makes you stronger and more likely to succeed. If you aren’t challenged you’re not changing. Don’t feel discouraged when faced with yet another hurdle, think of it as proof that you’re making progress.
3. Legacies are built in small moments: It’s easy to be overwhelmed thinking about a big change – 1,000 contacts to my database? That’s so many people! But obviously I’m not going to stand on the street outside of my office meeting people until I hit my big quota. It’s about the small moments (the guy in front of me at Starbucks, the woman I met at a party!). Records are broken in mere seconds. It’s that final push during a marathon that puts a runner a head of another, then another. Don’t underestimate the impact a small moment can have on your life.

January will eventually end, and February will spring up and most people will have completely forgotten about their goals for 2019 – Netflix binges will replace visits to the gym. I want to stand out from the pack and feel as inspired and as excited about my goals as I was when I set them. I want to be conscious of how I’m progressing as February flies by and there are signs of spring.

I know there will be moments when an obstacle throws me off balance and I won’t know how to get back on track . . . but I won’t let a fall stop me. I’ll think about why I set these goals. My wife, my team and my business are incredibly important to me – important enough that I’ll get up and start running again. No matter what.

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