Are You Prepared to Achieve Your Goals and Transform Your Life?
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Understanding Your Commitment to Your Goals
Have you ever taken a moment to evaluate whether you truly desire that six-pack? Months ago, you made a decision to prioritize your health, embark on a new business venture, and strive to become your best self. You were pumped and ready to tackle your objectives with the determination of a true hustler. So, why do you find yourself stuck in the same spot?
Photo by Garrhet Sampson on Unsplash
The reality is, when we commit to a goal, our bodies release a surge of endorphins that can propel us about 10% of the way towards our target. However, after a few days or weeks, the initial excitement fades, and we might subconsciously decide to abandon our aspirations. While you might not openly acknowledge that you have deprioritized your goal of getting a six-pack, it often occurs without our realization.
What exactly goes wrong in this process, and why does it happen so frequently? I can relate, as I have personally navigated through phases of subconscious quitting (and no, this isn't an actual school; don’t bother searching for it). I've recognized patterns in my own behavior that resonate with many of us.
Different Deep-Seated Beliefs
Certainly, we may each harbor unique limiting beliefs that contribute to this phenomenon, but let's set that aside for now and focus on the broader idea. Sometimes, we express a desire for something, yet we are more enamored with the idea of it rather than the actual pursuit. This is akin to the common discussion around loving the concept of a person rather than the individual themselves—this notion applies equally to our goals and various life pursuits.
Consider, for instance, your ambition to become an accomplished writer. You may be captivated by the thought of eloquently articulating your ideas and getting paid for it. Perhaps you've been influenced by movies like "Eat Pray Love" and "Inventing Anna," which glamorize the life of a writer, leading you to believe that this is the ideal lifestyle.
However, it’s unlikely that you dwell on the hours spent conducting research, battling writer's block, marketing yourself, and overcoming feelings of impostor syndrome. While you may be aware of the challenges on a conscious level, if you find yourself quitting prematurely, it’s often because you’re more attracted to the idea of your goal rather than the hard work required to achieve it.
As a result, we might drift through our days telling ourselves, "I’ll get to it later," and before we know it, another year has passed, leaving us in the same position as before.
Finding Clarity in Your Aspirations
So, what’s the remedy? It's crucial to genuinely reflect on your aspirations. I've discussed the importance of qualification in previous articles, as it plays a significant role in goal-setting. You must weigh the pros and cons against your internal value system. Ask yourself: Do I genuinely want this? Am I prepared to put in the necessary effort?
Unveiling Your True Intentions
Often, we focus on the perks of our goals. While this can be great for motivation and visualizing potential success, the endorphin rush I mentioned earlier can cloud your judgment regarding an essential question:
Am I pursuing this goal for external validation?
Growing up, we were often told which careers were deemed the most respectable. Although this narrative is slowly changing due to the multitude of paths that lead to success (however one defines it), it's easy to view your aspirations through the lens of societal expectations. It's crucial to be honest with yourself at this stage.
Breaking Down Your Goals
Once you’ve thoroughly examined your motivations behind your goal and confirmed it’s worth pursuing, it’s time to break it down. Don’t just throw around popular phrases from hip-hop; dissect your objectives into manageable parts and take action.
Wrapping Up Your Journey
If you find yourself in the same situation as when you first set your goal, it may be because you weren’t prepared for the hard work that comes with it. This doesn’t imply laziness; rather, it suggests that you need to qualify your goal and cultivate the conviction necessary to take action.
As a side note, if you genuinely aspire to obtain a six-pack, I recommend focusing on compound movements for optimal results.
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Chapter 2: Getting Motivated with Music
The first video features AC/DC's "Are You Ready," which encapsulates the energy and determination needed to pursue your goals.
The second video is Disturbed's "Are You Ready," reinforcing the message of resilience and readiness for life's challenges.