What happens before Goals?
Before we set goals, we often have some idea of what we want the outcome to be. The outcome is what we desire. But often we get burnt out in the middle of the things that take the grit we need to get to the outcomes we seek.
When this happens, I believe visualization can be an especially efficient tool to utilize to restart lagging enthusiasm.
Often our end goal looks like a bottom line, or perhaps a certain number on the weight scale, maybe even something as everyday as acquiring a large asset. No matter the nature of your goals, we often calculate the sum of our efforts in terms of the final outcome.
Visualization gives the picture of the possible.
Often, before we set our goals, we often naturally visualize ourselves in the midst of accomplishing or having accomplished the outcome. This typically is one drive to set the goal in the first place.
Then in the middle of the grind, it’s easy to lose focus. Maybe the task involves more than you originally thought. Or maybe things changed and priorities got shifted around on the road to your victory. Or sometimes it’s easy to simply reduce the goal down to nothing more than the victory itself.
There’s life after victory.
If you found yourself stuck in the uncomfortable place of giving up on those first inspirations that lead you to start your business journey, then consider visualizing the life after victory.
Maybe you accomplished your goal and it didn’t turn out how you expected. Perhaps the victory was the desired outcome and there is no longer a challenge in your game.
Many people get to their final destination only to realize it is really not very final at all. Sometimes we go after the thing that puts where we would rather not be and gives us cards we’d rather not play. There is responsibility that comes with many kinds of accomplishments.
Becoming knowledgeable about where you are going, what it takes to get there, and what is expected of you once you arrive is one way to avoid the heartbreak of succeeding at what you do not want.
Visualizing reveals our true desire.
It’s not effective to visualize toward a goal if the goal is the only thing to aspire to.
It’s also not effective to visualize toward a goal if the idea of the outcome does not inspire you.
For your next challenge, try visualizing your accomplishments in terms of life after victory.
Visualize beyond the fluff and put yourself in the shoes of your victory-grabbing future self. You’ve given it your best grit and you’ve taken the final lap to grab the gold, and now you’ve gone home and framed your new credentials. What next?
What are you visualizing? Are you seeing yourself as more confident? More skilled? Better stability? Stronger or sharper in your industry? After you see beyond the settled dust, what is it you really are after?
Take note of how your visualizations affect you.
Are you excited? Great! Keep visualizing and write down all the things that have you dreamy-eyed.
Are you nervous? Okay! Write out everything that has you apprehensive.
Does the responsibility of getting what you desire create distress? Then perhaps you need to revisit the WHY of your goals, or assess what you believe about yourself and your abilities. In that case, do what it takes to gain a realistic understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.
Take inventory. Make your visualization effective.
The point of daydreaming is not to keep us distracted from reality. The true power lies in showing us what we can make of reality. While it can be okay to spend time in the clouds for the way-out maybes FROM time to time, the challenge is to get you thinking in terms OF time.
What is possible 2 years from now? How about 5? Let’s go 10? Who are you and who are you making a difference for?
Leave a comment about your experience with visualization and tell us if it helps you stay on track. Do you have any visualization methods that provide you with additional insight? Share the knowledge or just let us know how this exercise has helped you.
