We are all creators.  Most of us simply aren’t sure what being a creator is.   Many of you are creating your past – again and again, and it doesn’t look creative at all.  Some of you are passively creating, where you are not aware of the random nature of your thoughts, emotions and ideas.  In this situation, it’s just a bit of a free-for-all all-in-the-creation stakes.   Alternatively,  you can be a deliberate creator.  In this way, you can easily manifest your goals.  If you know how.  Many of us in our lack of understanding of the nature of how we effectively create simply procrastinate and become stuck.  Even worse we give up on our goals and dreams.

Staying stuck

I have experienced first-hand, people who don’t move forward because they feel there is always more preparation to be done; when deadlines are missed because some other factor comes into play they want to make sure everything is lined up before they move on.  Such environments simply call time on innovation, motivation and enthusiasm, because nothing is achieved. However, we can move on from stuckness or procrastinating using some simple principles which if followed will help to manifest our goals.   Here is how.

10 Principles To Manifest Your Goals

Here are my 10 principles, which if followed will help you manifest your goals.

1. Develop a clear vision

I’m not naturally a visionary person, but when I’m able to visualise achieving my goals then I am powerfully increasing the odds of manifesting them.  It’s like setting a sat nav in your brain.  Conjuring up an image or a scenario of what you want is like programming in your destination and telling your sat nav to get there.   How you get there is not the focus, it’s just getting there.   This is where the power of articulating the outcome you want to achieve helps drive and create the vision.

2. Setbacks are simply learning curves

We all experience setbacks.   But we can welcome setbacks.  Often these represent the doubts or gaps we have when formulating our vision and outcomes,  By considering setbacks we are strengthening your resilience and resolve.  If you can develop the mindset that setbacks are simply opportunities to make improvements then you will recover much more quickly.   Not allowing despair or doubt, will accelerate growth.

3. Listen to your intuition

Your inner guidance is there to help you.  You must listen to it.  Intuition can come in all sorts of ways, and sometimes it’s just about what you are feeling that is the message.  A lack of progress or huge resistance is a big sign that you could be working on the wrong thing and not taking the course which takes you to your outcomes.    If you continually feel uninspired, stressed and pressurised then you are definitely on the wrong track.

4. Create a great team

You really can’t do it on your own.  You need help to achieve excellence whether through employees, partnerships, contractors, a support network, friends and family.

5. Look after yourself

You need to take time out to rest, connect with others and do other things.  Health is one of the biggest prerequisites for manifesting your goals.  Ill health can be one of your biggest stumbling blocks if ill health prevails.

6. Be clear about your priorities and values

You will manifest your goals if your vision is clear and you are taking steps to move towards it.  However, If for example a family crisis comes along and you need to delay then don’t agonise over your decision.  You must not compromise your priorities and values.  You will still get where you need to be by being true to yourself.

7. Plot small milestones  and celebrate success

It is easy to forget all the hard work and successes you have had along the way.  Sometimes you can get so focused on what’s not achieved, you don’t realise how much you have achieved.  You can schedule the actions you need to achieve and plot milestones, noting when you have achieved each.  For example,  If you want to hold your master’s degree within the next four years, create actions that will help you achieve that goal. That might include searching for degree programs, applying for them, and searching for eligible scholarships to help cover the tuition expenses. Each task will put you one step closer to what you want to achieve.

8. Forgive yourself

When you set out on the road to manifest your goals,  you put your head above the parapet.  You are not always going to feel like following your path.  When you want to rebel, forgive yourself and get away from it for as long as it takes to get back into the right mindset.

9. Don’t cling to results

You are going to get the right results at the right time.  Even if you believe they are poor, they are simply results.  Poor results can give you a nudge and be an indicator to say you need to look again.  Your journey is about progression and constant re-evaluation.

10. Get it into perspective

In his book “An Untethered Soul” Michael Singer helps the reader get their life in perspective by saying “You’re sitting on a planet spinning around in the middle of absolutely nowhere”.  That’s not to minimise your efforts towards manifesting your goals,  but realising there is a much grander scheme helps you to enjoy the journey rather than focusing on the destination.

The Power of Motivation in Goal Setting

You’ve likely encountered the SMART goal framework. Yet, setting such goals is only the beginning. The real challenge lies in their achievement. This raises a critical question: are SMART goals sufficient, or do we need SMARTER goals to succeed truly?

Crafting Goals That Drive You

The secret to goal achievement lies in setting targets that genuinely motivate you. You’re more likely to reach a goal that excites you. So, ask yourself if your goals are:

  • Specific, not vague
  • Personally meaningful, not dull
  • Challenging, not easy

Vague goals often lead to uncertain outcomes. By setting goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART), you create a clear roadmap. But to truly excel, your goals must also be inspiring.

Motivation Meets Success

Even SMART goals can fall flat if they lack personal significance. To elevate your goals, infuse them with meaning and challenge. Consider what personally drives you:

John Ruskin once said, “The highest reward for man’s toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it.” This wisdom underscores the importance of setting goals that not only challenge you but also contribute to your personal growth.

The Essence of SHARP Actions

Clarity in your goals is crucial, but action is the bridge to achievement. Beyond being SMART, your goals must be SHARP:

  • Simple to understand and remember
  • Have a clear plan of action
  • Action-oriented steps towards the goal
  • Regularly reviewed and assessed
  • Progress-focused to ensure continual advancement

Come up with a weekly plan of action or even a monthly one. These are ideal if you have long-term goals and must do multiple daily tasks. You can use the outlines to choose which tasks you take on and when. You might use the same strategies for your daily planning, which allows you to stay on task.

Integrating SMART with SHARP

Being both SMART and SHARP enhances not just the pursuit but the quality of your goals. To stay on track, consistently ask yourself:

  • Does this action align with my goal?
  • What small steps will have the biggest impact?

Embrace the 80/20 principle, focusing on the vital few actions that drive most of your progress. Identify the key 20% efforts that will yield 80% of your results.

Conclusion: The Synergy of SMART-er and SHARP Goals

Whether your goals are SMART or SMART-er, they remain hypothetical until you take SHARP action. Are your goals truly SMART enough? Only your actions will tell. Remember, the essence of goal setting is not just listing desires but actively pursuing them with precision and passion.

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I help leaders develop self- mastery, helping them to become confident in their own inner guidance.

I collaborate with leadership experts, managers and HR professionals to help them get their own message and unique services and products to a wide audience.

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