The Myth of “Good Luck”

 

Setting goals works.  Writing them down works even better.  And accountability insures that you stay on track until you’ve reached your goal.

This builds self-respect and overcomes poor habits that come from unconscious beliefs such as “I don’t deserve to achieve”, “I’d rather procrastinate than test myself, because I’m afraid of failure and I’m afraid of success”, or just simply the belief that “I can’t”.  These are markers of unwillingness.   So ask yourself am I willing to set a goal, create an action plan, and ask for accountability?  If so, you are on your way to something new.

No matter what the result, if you stick to this plan, you are going to learn something NEW about yourself.

Research on goal-setting at Dominican University, California, done by Gail Matthews indicated that folks who write down their goals, create action plans, and track their progress accomplish significantly more goals than people who just think about them.

She also learned that the three most important elements for successful goal-setting are accountability, commitment, and writing down goals.

Have you heard the phrase “good goals are SMART”?

 SMART is an acronym that stands for:

• S = Specific:  Describe your goal clearly and concisely.  Don’t be vague or wishy washy about the outcome you wish to achieve.

• M = Measureable:  Develop a tangible way to measure your progress. For example you can’t measure kindness, but you can measure:  I will say something uplifting to each person I encounter today and for the next 21 days.  Not only is this measureable, it is also a great way to instill a new behavior.

• A = Attainable: Make sure your goals and action plan are manageable and align with your skills, resources, and interests.

• R = Relevant:  Is your goal relevant to you?  Is it something you value, and is it related to the bigger picture of your life? A great goal clearly answers the  question~ “why am I doing this”?

• T = Timeline:  A goal without a timeline is just a dream.  A timeline, with milestones and an end date, will keep you accountable to yourself (and  in addition, a friend, mentor, or coach, can also help keep you accountable and focused).  i.e. “Break your goal into small tasks and set a deadline for each task.  It’s not so overwhelming when you do it in small steps.”                                                                                               (Maureen Zappala, “New Year, New Tune”)

I have noticed that sometimes when I set a goal, other priorites start bubbling up, unexpectedly, and I put my goal on hold!  Often the other priorities soon  fizzle out and I am left without making the progress on my original goal that I had hoped for.  Getting distracted is the biggest Maya there is.  Don’t be deceived by it!

Recognize that I don’t have to wait for someone else to give me the okay.  I just have to say “OKAY” to  myself, every day to activate my inner resources.

Presently, I have a short check list of 6 items which I check nightly before sleeping.  It is a doable check-in to see how I’m doing. The key is not to get discouraged or judgemental, but use this as useful information on how to progress.

As a very successful friend said to me once, “I don’t believe in LUCK.  I’ve worked hard and paid my dues, it hasn’t been a matter of luck.”  She has found that others look at her and where she’s at in life and say  “you’re lucky”.  She feels that by calling it luck is to discount all the hours of planning, implementing, and effort-making that  has gone into creating her smiling success story!!!  There is so much behind the scenes work that a successful person does  every day!

Reaching goals requires clarity; the kind of clarity that comes from writing down your goals and checking in with them.

Start now…write it down-make it happen!

On some level, we all know that success is more than good luck; it requires what most of us would call good old determination!.

Writing down your goals and tracking your progress is definitely a way to mobilize all aspects of one’s inner and outer worlds and to take loving dominion over the thoughts, words, and actions that will make you or break you.

This is my goal during this powerful time of setteling karmic accounts.  This is my goal to create an eternal reward.  This is my contribution to creating the new world.

I wish you well in gaining clarity and determination by writing down your goals.

I won’t wish you “Good Luck”, but Good Determination!

Sending you waves of  good wishes to be the very best Self you can be everyday!!!

Start today!