“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark.” Michelangelo
Do you want to know one of the easiest traps to fall into? Setting your aim too low.
How do I know it’s an easy trap to fall into?
Because I fell into that trap and didn’t even realize it.
I had no clue I had set my aim too low because I was setting all types of goals and making pretty good progress.
However, there was one problem … and it was a pretty big one.
I was creating goals and deciding what was possible based on where I was and not necessarily where I ultimately wanted to be if the sky was the limit.
For some reason, I decided that when it came to setting goals and going after things, I needed to be “practical” and go after things that were “actually possible”.
Now, of course, I didn’t really realize I was doing this but, then I came across this quote.
“If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is a compromise.” Robert Fritz
“Oh crap”, I thought. “I totally have done that.”
My definition of “actually possible” was way too limiting and causing me not to think big enough. Imagine that.
So, I decided to change things up … and, of course I want you to join me because it is totally working.
From time to time, I now add a different kind of goal to my list.
And, for just this one goal, I throw “being realistic and practical” out the window and just focus on what I really want.
Why not? What do I have to lose?
One goal I added about a year ago (that seemed absolutely crazy at the time and I had no idea how on earth it could really happen) was to move across the country to California… ✔ (completed)
Another goal I added awhile ago was to set things up so I could transition out of my corporate job and start working for myself full time (when I added this one to the list, it seemed even crazier than the first one) … ✔ (completed)
As I am sure you can imagine, after seeing this process work, it is soooooo my new approach.
I have finally realized that we have to remind ourselves every single day that life is filled with possibilities and there are always amazing things waiting to come our way if we believe they are possible and actually go after them.
When we get caught up in the daily hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to forget this reality. It’s easy to think too small. That’s what I did.
And, that’s why you have to make sure you have a process that continually reminds you to rethink what is really possible and to make sure you go for those BIG things you really want. You’ll be amazed at the results you will get.
the possibility of today:
- Add one BIG goal to your list Today. Don’t worry about being realistic or practical. Just think of one thing you really, really want. You can and still should have other “realistic” goals on your list, but make sure you also add at least one BIG goal Today.
- Build more and more confidence in your ability to reach your BIG goal. Start working Today (and every Today that follows) on convincing yourself that it absolutely is possible. If you need to break down some limiting beliefs, Read This.
- Take action now. Don’t wait until tomorrow. Plan what you are going to do Today and do it. It doesn’t matter how big or small the step is … just take it. Many of us are masters at putting things off until we think the time is perfect. The perfect time will not just magically appear. You have to make Today the perfect time and move.
- Take steps daily. Put your BIG goal on your “to do” list and do something every single day to keep things moving in the right direction.
Live Today Better than Yesterday.
If you get a chance, please drop by Leslie Samuel’s great blog, Learning with Leslie and check out my interview with Leslie.
Love your work!!
Thanks Debbie:) I appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to let me know.
Inspiring post Sibyl. We do tend to let go of our real dreams when we listen to all the negative mind chatter. Letting our creativity flow and blossom awakens us to realize that the sky is the limit. Thanks for the reminder and welcome to California.
Thanks Cathy:) I appreciate the welcome and you are right … its all about keeping your mind focused on the right things and all your potential.
Sibyl,
This is an awesome reminder to s-t-r-e-t-c-h ourselves are as possible. We can achieve way more than we think we can!
Isn’t that a great realization?
It’s all about what we choose to believe and go for.
Great stuff Sibyl,
I knew you could do it…
Spot on advice.
be good to yourself
David
Thanks David:) I appreciate you always dropping by and taking the time to comment.
You’re so right, Sibyl. Sigh – Sometimes it becomes easy to settle in that “comfort zone” especially with tight time management. Just yesterday, I felt I had to do something different, bring about a change, even though I have absolutely no complaints about anything right now
A restless je-ne-sais-quoi type of feeling. I am exploring it.
Beautiful post! Somehow ties in with Tess’s post about “asking for what you want”
Vidya: Isn’t it interesting how we can become complacent and not even realize it? I think I will definitely have to check out Tess’s post. It sounds right on point:) Thanks for the comment and thanks for dropping by.
I completely agree with you, we often stand in our way of being great and doing brilliant work because we simply don’t aim high enough. I never that that I could create a digital product, but I did it and I am proud of it.
I never thought I could work for myself, but I am doing it.
Things are possible and you will always find ways of reaching high goals if you are motivated enough.
Thanks for the comment Anne-Sophie. You are so right that we can get in our own way. It’s crazy how we may not even realize it. Thanks so much for dropping by and congrats on your digital product:)
Sybil…
loved what you wrote. I am constantly reminding myself to reach for my dreams….when I get comfortable for too long of a time, I know it’s time for re-assessing my goals…and actions.
You have given me a lot to think about. A timely post for me.
There’s a great saying…’If you help one person, you’ve helped the world.’
Your post hit me in a deep place. So there you go. You’ve already helped me.
Have a great weekend! Fran
Sibyl ,this stuff is really a eye opener,
I always read your posts first thing in the morning and get the energy and some great thought for the day to linger on.
Thanks for all your work!
I love that Ritesh:) You are so sweet for saying that and I am so glad that I can help you get the flow going for the day:) Thanks you so much for letting me know and taking the time to stop by.
You’re right on with this one Sibyl! The sky is truly the limit.
My one BIG goal is to be the online Oprah – positively impacting millions of people and having that “Oprah touch” where one recommendation sends other people’s success beyond their expectations. Basically, the more people I help, the more successful I become. While I have some ideas on how to make this happen, I’m leaving the real plan up to the Universe as it constantly proves that it knows much better than I how to make big things happen. I just keep taking daily action on this one. I’ve already been amazed at how things are progressing in the past couple of months. All we have to do is ask (thanks Tess!).
Thanks for continuing to inspire us!!
Paige: Thanks so much for dropping by and taking the time to comment. I can already tell you that you are absolutely positively impacting so many people online:) I love what you said about just riding the wave and going with the flow. I think that really is how things a lot of times come together perfectly. Thanks again for dropping by.
Love this post, Sibyl, because when you just pick one goal, it doesn’t seem overwhelming but attainable. And I love future thinking. I’m really going to think about my future self today and see what one thing I can work on today to get me there. Thanks!!
Hey Betsy: So glad you liked the post. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to let me know. I think you are so right about one goal making it feel not too overwhelming and more attainable. That is a very good point.
It’s like a balancing act to me. At times I have set my goals too high and others too low. Since I don’t like to not achieve my goals I would set them to something that was attainable to me. It’s takes some practice but most if not all goals are achievable.
I like how ou put it Justin. It really is a balancing act and you definitely want to make sure you have some BIG goals on your list. I do agree with what you said about most goals being achievable. I have always been amazed what is really possible when you set your mind to something and go for it.
I love the motivation of this post, Sibyl. I was definitely raised to be practical, thereby avoiding any unnecessary disappointment. Thanks for this reminder to shoot for the moon.
Hey Nea…sometimes the only thing we really need to do is make sure we are shooting for the moon:) I really try to remind myself of this all the time also. So glad you liked the post and thanks for dropping by.
Hi Sibyl,
It is so easy to deceive ourselves and set our aims too low in life. Indeed what is possible and reasonable most likely means it is within our capacity to achieve. This is certainly not going to stretch us too greatly or to take us out of our comfort zones. Indeed life is full of possibilities. We just have to will ourselves to see it. That said, I loved the points you have put together to remind us of the possibility of today. Here are some of the thoughts that crossed my mind as I read through them.
3. Take action now
Taking action is the only way to achieve results. It doesn’t matter what we do, so long as we get started which is usually the hardest step. As long as we start, we are that much closer to our goals because of our effort in that direction.
4. Take steps daily
We need to sustain the momentum. Otherwise we can get too caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily living to focus on our goals. There is always something more important to do that will demand our time. This is why we need to allocate time each day to focus on our goals. Step by step, we will get there.
Thank you for showing us how to live today better than yesterday!
Irving the Vizier
Irving: Hey. So great to hear from you again. I need to drop by your site. It has been way too long:) I think what you said about sustaining momentum is so important. It’s all about taking steps continually in the right direction.
Sibyl,
Thanks for posting this. I also found myself in this stuff as well but i tried to scale through. The first thing at the beginning of the year in my mind to pursue is to see an investor put in $9, 000 into my online biz but later on, I changed that to something bigger and bigger until I decided that $150, 000 will be a good start for me (for the biz) so that is my main challenge now which I believe i will get.
Sheyi
Thanks Sheyi for the comment and the real world story. I always love those because it shows all of us how to integrate what we know into our everyday lives. I love that you are thinking bigger and bigger. That will always get you moving in the direction you want to go. Thanks so much for the comment.
Very inspiring!!!!!