November 13, 2024 • 10 mins
Welcome to Day 5 of the “Start Thinking Forward” 22-Day Challenge! In today’s episode, host Brandon L. Draper leads you through the process of transforming your vision into actionable, strategic steps that build momentum and create results.
You’ve set your vision; now it’s time to get specific with goal-setting that aligns with that vision and makes it achievable.This episode is packed with practical exercises, science-backed strategies, and real-world examples that address the psychology of goal-setting and the obstacles that often hold us back.
Brandon will challenge you to think bigger, overcome doubt, and build a path to success that’s grounded in purpose and intention. Special thanks to our sponsor, Serebro AI, for providing tools that help you track progress, break down big goals, and stay aligned with your vision daily.
Ready to start taking real steps toward your future? Listen, share this episode on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in, and join the movement of purpose-driven action and transformation.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/start-thinking-forward-podcast--1229199/support.
You’ve set your vision; now it’s time to get specific with goal-setting that aligns with that vision and makes it achievable.This episode is packed with practical exercises, science-backed strategies, and real-world examples that address the psychology of goal-setting and the obstacles that often hold us back.
Brandon will challenge you to think bigger, overcome doubt, and build a path to success that’s grounded in purpose and intention. Special thanks to our sponsor, Serebro AI, for providing tools that help you track progress, break down big goals, and stay aligned with your vision daily.
Ready to start taking real steps toward your future? Listen, share this episode on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in, and join the movement of purpose-driven action and transformation.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/start-thinking-forward-podcast--1229199/support.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, everyone, welcome back to the Start Thinking Forward podcast.
I'm Brandon L. Draper and you're here on day five
of our twenty two day challenge. You've done the deep work.
You've uncovered your values, crafted a vision, and set the
foundation for a life that reflects who you truly are. Today,
we're going to take that vision and turn it into
(00:22):
actionable steps, because a vision without action is just a dream,
and you're here to make things happen. We're diving into
goal setting, not just any goals, but intentional, purpose driven
goals that align with your vision and bring you closer
to the life you're committed to creating. If you're ready
(00:42):
to make that vision real, to break it down, and
to start moving with purpose, then let's get into it. First,
let's talk about why goal setting is so powerful. Research
shows that goal setting activates our brain's reward systems, motivating
us to push through obstacles and stay full focused on
what matters. According to doctor Edwin Locke's goal setting theory,
(01:05):
specific and challenging goals lead to higher performance than vague
do your best goals. When we set clear, measurable goals,
our brain releases dopamine, creating a sense of progress and accomplishment,
which keeps us motivated psychologically. Goals also give us structure.
They provide direction, breakdown overwhelming visions into achievable steps, and
(01:29):
give us a reason to move forward each day. And
when goals are aligned with a meaningful vision, we're more
likely to stay committed even when things get tough. Let's
take the story of Chris, a young professional with a
passion for technology and a desire to start his own
tech consulting business. Chris had big ideas, but for years
(01:49):
he struggled to make progress. He'd plan, get excited, and
then stall. When we sat down, it became clear that
his goals were vague, scattered, and didn't reflect a clear
path to his vision. We worked together to break down
his vision into specific, realistic goals. Instead of starting a business,
(02:12):
his new goals were precise, build a website, establish a
client network, design three service packages, and generate a minimum
monthly income. Suddenly Chris had structure, and that structure turned
into momentum. Today, Chris runs a successful consulting firm that
helps small businesses implement tech solutions. He didn't get there overnight,
(02:36):
but each small goal brought him one step closer. To
his vision. Now let's put this into action. We're going
to use the SMART criteria for goal setting, which stands
for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. Specific What
exactly do you want to accomplish? Define it clearly, measurable?
(03:00):
Do you know when you've achieved it? Define metrics Achievable?
Is it realistic given your current resources? In time? Relevant?
Does it align with your vision and values? Time bound?
What's the timeline for this goal? Set a deadline. Take
a few minutes and write down three goals that reflect
(03:20):
your vision. Make them smart, and don't rush. The clarity
you create here will make all the difference. One of
the biggest reasons people abandon their goals is that they
seem too big, too far away. This is where goal
breakdown comes in. Doctor Gail Matthews at Dominican University conducted
a study on goal setting and found that individuals who
(03:42):
wrote down their goals and created actionable steps were forty
two percent more likely to achieve them. The art of
breaking down goals example story of Aliyah. Aliyah had a
vision of becoming a published author, but the goal of
writing a book felt overwhelming, so she broke it down.
(04:04):
She started with a goal to write for thirty minutes
each day, then move to complete a chapter every two weeks.
Each small step brought her closer, and eventually her book
became a reality. Breaking down her goals transform what felt
impossible into something achievable. Choose one of the smart goals
you wrote earlier. Now break it down into smaller steps.
(04:27):
Start by defining the first step, then the next. Think
of each step as a mini goal that builds upon
the last. Write these steps down and commit to completing
one every day or week, depending on the goal. For example,
goal start a side, business steps, research business licenses, define services,
(04:49):
set up social media, create a website. Breaking it down
keeps your vision within reach, step by step. One of
the most common obstacles we face in goal setting is procrastination,
often rooted in fear or doubt. Our brains are wired
to avoid discomfort, but overcoming this is key to success.
Research by doctor Tim Feichel at Carlton University shows that
(05:14):
procrastination is often an emotional reaction to fear or self doubt,
not a time management issue. To combat this, we need
to reframe our thoughts, focusing on the benefits of taking
action rather than a discomfort. Exercise three, Visualize the reward
when you feel doubt or fear creeping in. Visualize what
(05:37):
achieving your goal will feel like. Picture yourself reaching that milestone.
How will you feel? What will it look like? This
activates your brain's reward center, making it easier to push
past hesitation. Let's go even deeper into the psychology here.
Neuroscience tells us that when we imagine achieving our goals,
(05:58):
our brain releases don't dopamine, reinforcing the behavior. Visualization doesn't
just create motivation, it creates a mental rehearsal, training your
brain to become comfortable with success. Let's talk accountability. A
study from the American Society of Training and Development found
that having an accountability partner increases your chances of achieving
(06:22):
a goal by sixty five percent. That percentage jumps to
ninety five percent when you regularly check in with that person.
Real life example the power of accountability the story of
Sarah and Emily. Sarah and Emily were best friends with
a shared goal of getting fit. They created a goal
(06:43):
of exercising three times a week and set up a
check in every Sunday. That commitment kept them on track,
knowing someone else was counting on them made them more consistent,
and their shared success reinforced their motivation. Accountability turned their
ind individual goals into a shared journey. Identify someone you trust,
(07:05):
someone who shares your drive for growth, and invite them
to be your accountability partner. Set up regular check ins
and make your goals public to each other. Hold each
other accountable, celebrate progress, and provide encouragement during setbacks. Perfectionism
can be a goal killer. Doctor Brene Brown, a renowned researcher,
(07:27):
has found that perfectionism often stems from fear of failure
and shame. When we wait for things to be perfect,
we often end up waiting forever. Case study the journey
from perfectionism to progress The story of Raj. Raj wanted
to start a podcast, but he kept delaying because he
(07:47):
felt it wasn't perfect. Every time he got close, he'd
find something to tweak, to change to perfect. Finally, he
realized that waiting for perfect was keeping him stuck. He
committed to launching his first episode, Flaws and All and
Guess What. That imperfect episode became the start of a
successful show. By focusing on progress over perfection, Raj took
(08:12):
the first step. Commit to the eighty percent rule. When
your work is eighty percent ready, consider it done. This
rule encourages progress, keeps you moving forward, and breaks the
cycle of perfectionism. Apply this rule to one of your
goals today and see how it frees you up to
take action. Sustained success isn't about giant leaps. It's about
(08:33):
consistent steps. Building habits that align with your goals is
essential for long term progress. According to a study by
doctor Philip A. Lally at University College London, it takes
an average of sixty six days to build a new habit,
depending on complexity. Small, repeatable actions build momentum over time.
(08:53):
Identify one small habit that supports your vision. If your
goal is to write a book, your habit could be
writing for twenty minutes each morning. If your goal is
to get fit, commit to a ten minute stretch routine
every evening. Choose one habit, set a time for it,
and commit to it daily for the next month. Goal
(09:15):
setting isn't a one time event. Regularly reviewing your goals
insures they remain aligned with your vision and values. Set
aside time each month to reflect on your progress, celebrate wins,
and adjust as needed. Once a month, create a ritual
to review your goals, reflect on what's working, what needs adjustment,
(09:36):
and what's next. Use this time to reconnect with your vision,
update your steps, and realign with your purpose. Our sponsor, Cerebroai,
provides tools designed to keep you aligned with your goals.
With daily reminders, personalized insights, and tracking features, cerebro Ai
can help you stay on top of your action plan
(09:57):
and measure progress. Imagine having a virtual coach by your side,
reminding you of your purpose and celebrating your milestones. Today
was about moving from dream to action. Remember every small
step counts. Every action you take brings you closer to
the future you envision. This journey is about more than
(10:18):
just reaching the goal. It's about becoming the person who's
capable of achieving it. If this episode spoke to you,
share it with someone who could use a dose of motivation,
and remember, no dream is too big, no step is
too small. You've got this and above all, if you
haven't yet, well, today is a good day to start
(10:39):
thinking forward.
Hey, everyone, welcome back to the Start Thinking Forward podcast.
I'm Brandon L. Draper and you're here on day five
of our twenty two day challenge. You've done the deep work.
You've uncovered your values, crafted a vision, and set the
foundation for a life that reflects who you truly are. Today,
we're going to take that vision and turn it into
(00:22):
actionable steps, because a vision without action is just a dream,
and you're here to make things happen. We're diving into
goal setting, not just any goals, but intentional, purpose driven
goals that align with your vision and bring you closer
to the life you're committed to creating. If you're ready
(00:42):
to make that vision real, to break it down, and
to start moving with purpose, then let's get into it. First,
let's talk about why goal setting is so powerful. Research
shows that goal setting activates our brain's reward systems, motivating
us to push through obstacles and stay full focused on
what matters. According to doctor Edwin Locke's goal setting theory,
(01:05):
specific and challenging goals lead to higher performance than vague
do your best goals. When we set clear, measurable goals,
our brain releases dopamine, creating a sense of progress and accomplishment,
which keeps us motivated psychologically. Goals also give us structure.
They provide direction, breakdown overwhelming visions into achievable steps, and
(01:29):
give us a reason to move forward each day. And
when goals are aligned with a meaningful vision, we're more
likely to stay committed even when things get tough. Let's
take the story of Chris, a young professional with a
passion for technology and a desire to start his own
tech consulting business. Chris had big ideas, but for years
(01:49):
he struggled to make progress. He'd plan, get excited, and
then stall. When we sat down, it became clear that
his goals were vague, scattered, and didn't reflect a clear
path to his vision. We worked together to break down
his vision into specific, realistic goals. Instead of starting a business,
(02:12):
his new goals were precise, build a website, establish a
client network, design three service packages, and generate a minimum
monthly income. Suddenly Chris had structure, and that structure turned
into momentum. Today, Chris runs a successful consulting firm that
helps small businesses implement tech solutions. He didn't get there overnight,
(02:36):
but each small goal brought him one step closer. To
his vision. Now let's put this into action. We're going
to use the SMART criteria for goal setting, which stands
for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. Specific What
exactly do you want to accomplish? Define it clearly, measurable?
(03:00):
Do you know when you've achieved it? Define metrics Achievable?
Is it realistic given your current resources? In time? Relevant?
Does it align with your vision and values? Time bound?
What's the timeline for this goal? Set a deadline. Take
a few minutes and write down three goals that reflect
(03:20):
your vision. Make them smart, and don't rush. The clarity
you create here will make all the difference. One of
the biggest reasons people abandon their goals is that they
seem too big, too far away. This is where goal
breakdown comes in. Doctor Gail Matthews at Dominican University conducted
a study on goal setting and found that individuals who
(03:42):
wrote down their goals and created actionable steps were forty
two percent more likely to achieve them. The art of
breaking down goals example story of Aliyah. Aliyah had a
vision of becoming a published author, but the goal of
writing a book felt overwhelming, so she broke it down.
(04:04):
She started with a goal to write for thirty minutes
each day, then move to complete a chapter every two weeks.
Each small step brought her closer, and eventually her book
became a reality. Breaking down her goals transform what felt
impossible into something achievable. Choose one of the smart goals
you wrote earlier. Now break it down into smaller steps.
(04:27):
Start by defining the first step, then the next. Think
of each step as a mini goal that builds upon
the last. Write these steps down and commit to completing
one every day or week, depending on the goal. For example,
goal start a side, business steps, research business licenses, define services,
(04:49):
set up social media, create a website. Breaking it down
keeps your vision within reach, step by step. One of
the most common obstacles we face in goal setting is procrastination,
often rooted in fear or doubt. Our brains are wired
to avoid discomfort, but overcoming this is key to success.
Research by doctor Tim Feichel at Carlton University shows that
(05:14):
procrastination is often an emotional reaction to fear or self doubt,
not a time management issue. To combat this, we need
to reframe our thoughts, focusing on the benefits of taking
action rather than a discomfort. Exercise three, Visualize the reward
when you feel doubt or fear creeping in. Visualize what
(05:37):
achieving your goal will feel like. Picture yourself reaching that milestone.
How will you feel? What will it look like? This
activates your brain's reward center, making it easier to push
past hesitation. Let's go even deeper into the psychology here.
Neuroscience tells us that when we imagine achieving our goals,
(05:58):
our brain releases don't dopamine, reinforcing the behavior. Visualization doesn't
just create motivation, it creates a mental rehearsal, training your
brain to become comfortable with success. Let's talk accountability. A
study from the American Society of Training and Development found
that having an accountability partner increases your chances of achieving
(06:22):
a goal by sixty five percent. That percentage jumps to
ninety five percent when you regularly check in with that person.
Real life example the power of accountability the story of
Sarah and Emily. Sarah and Emily were best friends with
a shared goal of getting fit. They created a goal
(06:43):
of exercising three times a week and set up a
check in every Sunday. That commitment kept them on track,
knowing someone else was counting on them made them more consistent,
and their shared success reinforced their motivation. Accountability turned their
ind individual goals into a shared journey. Identify someone you trust,
(07:05):
someone who shares your drive for growth, and invite them
to be your accountability partner. Set up regular check ins
and make your goals public to each other. Hold each
other accountable, celebrate progress, and provide encouragement during setbacks. Perfectionism
can be a goal killer. Doctor Brene Brown, a renowned researcher,
(07:27):
has found that perfectionism often stems from fear of failure
and shame. When we wait for things to be perfect,
we often end up waiting forever. Case study the journey
from perfectionism to progress The story of Raj. Raj wanted
to start a podcast, but he kept delaying because he
(07:47):
felt it wasn't perfect. Every time he got close, he'd
find something to tweak, to change to perfect. Finally, he
realized that waiting for perfect was keeping him stuck. He
committed to launching his first episode, Flaws and All and
Guess What. That imperfect episode became the start of a
successful show. By focusing on progress over perfection, Raj took
(08:12):
the first step. Commit to the eighty percent rule. When
your work is eighty percent ready, consider it done. This
rule encourages progress, keeps you moving forward, and breaks the
cycle of perfectionism. Apply this rule to one of your
goals today and see how it frees you up to
take action. Sustained success isn't about giant leaps. It's about
(08:33):
consistent steps. Building habits that align with your goals is
essential for long term progress. According to a study by
doctor Philip A. Lally at University College London, it takes
an average of sixty six days to build a new habit,
depending on complexity. Small, repeatable actions build momentum over time.
(08:53):
Identify one small habit that supports your vision. If your
goal is to write a book, your habit could be
writing for twenty minutes each morning. If your goal is
to get fit, commit to a ten minute stretch routine
every evening. Choose one habit, set a time for it,
and commit to it daily for the next month. Goal
(09:15):
setting isn't a one time event. Regularly reviewing your goals
insures they remain aligned with your vision and values. Set
aside time each month to reflect on your progress, celebrate wins,
and adjust as needed. Once a month, create a ritual
to review your goals, reflect on what's working, what needs adjustment,
(09:36):
and what's next. Use this time to reconnect with your vision,
update your steps, and realign with your purpose. Our sponsor, Cerebroai,
provides tools designed to keep you aligned with your goals.
With daily reminders, personalized insights, and tracking features, cerebro Ai
can help you stay on top of your action plan
(09:57):
and measure progress. Imagine having a virtual coach by your side,
reminding you of your purpose and celebrating your milestones. Today
was about moving from dream to action. Remember every small
step counts. Every action you take brings you closer to
the future you envision. This journey is about more than
(10:18):
just reaching the goal. It's about becoming the person who's
capable of achieving it. If this episode spoke to you,
share it with someone who could use a dose of motivation,
and remember, no dream is too big, no step is
too small. You've got this and above all, if you
haven't yet, well, today is a good day to start
(10:39):
thinking forward.
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