Goal setting is something that we tend to do from time to time. Sometimes we may write the goal down but more times than not we keep our goals in our head. What we tend to do though is set goals that are "realistic" which therefore creates a ceiling for ourselves. We like to give ourselves a "limit" on how well we can do at any given activity. Why do we do this to ourselves? Is it Helpful to be realistic? Is it best to shoot low so we don't disappoint ourselves? I feel this way of thinking is detrimental to the idea of success. Will Smith once said "Being realistic is the most commonly traveled road to mediocrity." I would have to agree with Smith and dare you to set goals that you may feel right now are out of your reach. But there are examples of people all around us who knock down barriers because they didn't impose any psychological limits on themselves. So what is it that stops us all from doing so?
I am a youth track coach and a couple of weeks ago my team ran in our National Qualifier track meet. One of our runners who is only a mere 8 years old was caught in a bind. She was disqualified from one event in which she placed 3rd (top 5 go to Nationals) and had one event left to punch her ticket, the 400 meter dash. Now in the Preliminary round she ran her personal best and still was 8th out of 8 that make it to the finals. In order to make it to Nationals she would have had to run 6 seconds faster than her personal best. Now I don't know if any of you know about Track & Field but to drop 6 seconds in any sprint is an amazing feat. We as coaches felt that our runner would just have to wait for next season to get her chance at nationals. But that next day in the finals, this girl topped her personal best from the day before by 6 seconds and got the last spot on the way to Nationals! Now what if this young runner would have put limits on herself like we as coaches did? Would she have been able to perform the way she had? I highly doubt it! She saw no limits in her potential to improve.
Now what is the difference between you, I and this young athlete? When you set your goals are you "realistic"? Where do these limits we impose on ourselves come from? Many times they come from other people who tell us what we can or can't do. Or how good we can or can't be. How far we can or can't go. And the reason they tell us that is because that person feels they can't do it so why would you have the audacity to be outstanding? In most cases there is no factual information that can tell us that we can't reach a certain level of success in any given venture. We let outside forces convince our mind to embrace a limitation that only exists because we believe it does. What we believe will end up becoming our "reality". This process leads us to mediocrity and unrealized goals. When does it stop?
Belief in yourself is the most important thing when it comes to achievement. Just take a look around you with all of the technology, athletes, and businessmen that are doing things that some of us thought were unimaginable! It all starts with belief. When you believe, it is much easier to remove limitations and become the first you! Comparing yourself with other's must end. Excuses must end. Listening to what OTHERS tell you is possible for YOU must end. Goal setting without limits must begin! Belief in yourself must begin! Attacking the fear of success must begin! If nothing else know that your understanding of yourself today creates your "reality" tomorrow. To reach those "unrealistic" goals we must work smart, then work hard, be fully dedicated and most importantly BELIEVE.
This blog is brought to you by the RED PILL MENTALITY
Great insight from Will Smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSK_Likqv24
I am available for speaking engagements. My focus is young people from high school through college years.
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email: saladin.davis@gmail.com
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