This article was first published on SuccessNet.org in 2004.
Dr. Robert Schuller said, “What would you attempt if you knew you couldn’t fail?”
One of the things that keeps us from fulfilling more of our potential is the uncertainty of whether or not we can achieve our objectives.
After all, if we knew we would succeed at everything we attempted, we’d constantly live on the high end of the “go-for-it-scale”.
But life isn’t that way. There are no guarantees. To quote Robert Schuller again, “Success is never certain, but failure is never final.”
It’s the unknown that’s often the killer of ideas and ideals. If we truly knew how great the payoff was, we’d be more motivated to “go for the gold”. If we knew what the actual cost and the time required would be, it would remove much of the doubt and uncertainty. If we knew exactly HOW to accomplish what we wish to achieve, we would likely move forward with more confidence and resolve.
These ideas became clear to me as my wife and I talked about going south for the winter.
Over the last few years, we’ve debated about moving somewhere we could live year round as opposed to having two homes—one here in Vermont and another in the Sunbelt or the Caribbean.
We love Vermont, but the winters are just too lengthy and too cold. As long as we have an Internet connection and a phone, we can do the work we do no matter where we live.
Nonetheless, we had been thinking that going south for the winter was something that was still off a few years in the future.
Just by doing some brainstorming and exploring the possibilities, we began to see that this was more practical now than we had thought. As the logistics and the challenges were discussed, it became more real. As we figured out how to make it work, there was less and less uncertainty.
We’re now making plans to become snowbirds this coming February through April. It’ll give us a chance to see how we like it—and over the next few years, we’ll have the opportunity to experience several parts of the country.
When you have something you want to accomplish, think first about why you want it and what it will do for you. SEE it and FEEL it completed in your imagination and check out how important it would be for you to have it.
Then, if it IS something you really want, begin to remove as much uncertainty as you can. What do you need to do? What do you need to learn? What has to change? What sacrifices will have to be made? What can be handled so as to remove as much risk and doubt?
As you do this, your goal will become more real. You will have greater confidence. With good planning, you’ll know what to do next. And very soon, you’ll find yourself accomplishing your goal and becoming a better person in the process.
I’m certain it will help.
Recommended Reading
Solid Goals
Mastering the Science of Goal Setting and Achievement
There’s no hit or miss when it comes to The Science of Goal Setting—just tried and true principles, strategies, and tactics for you to achieve what you truly want.
Get ready to fully master lifelong skills that will enable you to be an extraordinary achiever, have more fun, and create more fulfillment. Solid Goals is a thrival guide for beginners as well as seasoned goal achievers.
