Article on Engagement

we must first define the internal motivations that will inspire us every day to do what must be done

The calendar simply switching from 2023 to 2024 is not enough to magically motivate us to achieve goals that will uproot our way of thinking, behavior, and life.

For us to truly make a long-term change, we should not simply focus on the end goals we desire to achieve. We must focus on the habits we want to form that will naturally progress us towards the goals we want to achieve.

For us to truly implement these long-term habits, we must first define the internal motivations that will inspire us every day to do what must be done to develop these new habits.

Is it our children?

Our spouse?

A greater purpose?

Simply changing our calendar from 2023 to 2024 and writing some big, scary goals down on a piece of paper is not enough to make us achieve goals. At some point, we actually have to do something we will most likely never want to do until we start doing it.

We can download all the apps, set up all the tracking, create all the accountability, set all the goals, and yet still achieve nothing if we do nothing.

So:

1. Define the motivators

2. Clarify the habits

3. Set the goals

4. Do something!

Now you may be asking, what should I do first? Well, I would encourage you to start with a firm foundational statement that will allow you to filter all of your life’s decisions: a personal mission statement.

If you know me, you know I love coffee. I absolutely love that first sip feeling in the morning to get the day going. Even better than the first sip is the process of making a fresh pot in the morning. The process of pouring the hot water over some fresh coffee grounds is one that always makes me feel awake and ready to take on the day.

Awhile back, I had a realization: a coffee filter is a lot like a personal mission statement and purpose.

As I was making my coffee, I watched as the hot water poured over the grounds and dripped the coffee that I would then consume through the filter. As I watched this normal, everyday moment occur, I thought about my mission statement and my purpose.

A personal mission statement is a filter through which all of our decisions can be clearly made. If a decision does not pass the filter test, it is not done and is thrown out like the coffee grounds. If a decision passes through the filter and aligns with the mission statement and purpose, it is then consumed and acted upon.

If I were to not use a filter and just pour hot water over some grounds, I can guarantee you I would end up drinking the worst cup of coffee I have ever had. It would not taste good, it would not make me want to start the day, and I would most likely become sick.

However, when filtering the coffee through the filter, only the best is left to consume. What I end up drinking is that which will get me energized and focused. The same goes for all of our decisions.

If we blindly make decisions with no filter (mission statement in writing or purpose), then our lives will begin to look like a pot of coffee with no filter, full of grounds that leave us empty, sick, and wanting more. When we put every decision through the filter of our mission statement and purpose, our life is full of energy, good choices, and motivation to achieve our goals.

If you have never taken the time to write out your personal mission statement to guide your life's decisions, I cannot recommend it highly enough. Don't let another day go by without your filter in place.

Do you need help formulating a mission statement, filtering decisions through a mission statement, or achieving the goals that your mission statement supports? If so, reply to this email and let us know. We would love to assist you on your journey.

Curated by Bizwiz Learning, Source LMI

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