“Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage but simply because they have never organized their energies around a goal.” ~Elbert Hubbard
New Year’s is a time for goal-setting for many people—but sticking to them seems to be so difficult that “New Year’s Resolutions” have become a bit of a joke in pop culture. If you’ve found yourself in a pattern of setting goals, only to see them fall by the wayside, maybe this year you should do things a little differently.
There’s plenty of reason to set goals, and plenty of evidence to show that goal-setting is a necessary step to achieving success. So, why do so many people find it so difficult to achieve the goals they set each year? David Dalton of DS Studioworks is an acting coach, licensed hypnotherapist, and a career/ motivation coach, and he has some great tips for making this year’s resolutions stick. (From his facebook fanpage: “Coach Dalton: Self Improvement, Motivation and Empowerment”)
First step: Define success. It’s not enough to just say you want success in your chosen field. Write down exactly what it is you want—envision what it looks like, feels like, smells like, tastes like. You can be both literal and metaphorical in your descriptions. But be specific. Your subconscious mind needs to know exactly what it’s supposed to be bringing your way.
Step Two: Trace your steps backward from your goal. What would have to happen right before you reach that level of success. And right before that? And that? Pretty soon you’ll arrive exactly where you are now, and then you’ll have your roadmap.
Third: Write a self contract. Make a promise to yourself detailing the steps you are going to take, and “what you will or will not settle for.” The contract should emphasize hard work, but it should also be balanced, leaving time for other important things in life. Dalton also suggests that you “not to get so attached to the outcome of all your goals that you disappoint easily.” Desperation has the effect of pushing away those things we are trying to attract. At this point, it’s a good idea to start keeping a journal and documenting all the little successes in your life. Success breeds success! Make sure your subconscious mind remembers the successes more than the failures, and pretty soon you’ll be shooting for the stars!
Step Four: Now it’s finally time to set some goals. But this step ain’t no walk in the park! Dalton suggests doing some research. Read books and talk to people who have achieved success in your field. Find out how others have succeeded in the past and figure out the ways you may want to emulate them, and pitfalls you want to avoid. Now set those goals! Long-term goals first, then short-term goals with dates. But don’t get too caught up with each specific goal, minor course corrections will always be needed along the way. Continue to research and readjust your goals as needed. Don’t allow obstacles to stop you in your tracks, just find a way around them.
The fifth and final step: Establish your support system. You may think you already have a support system, but in fact, your family and friends may be holding you back. Not because they’re mean or want you to fail, but simply because a big change for you would rock their world! People resist change, even if it’s for the better, because it’s new and uncomfortable. Find like-minded individuals who can help you move forward, who aren’t so attached to the old, comfortable, but not-so-successful you. Friends and family are great, and they’ll come around eventually. Just don’t count on them to help get you where you’re going. Dalton says, “Always be meeting new people who share the same endeavors and go to new places that have answers.” That may be professional organizations, online resources, or classes. You can find some of the resources you need in the articles, “An Overview of the Denver film industry, Parts 1 and 2”. Envision all the things you will need to be successful, and seek out people who can help meet those needs.
So, Happy 2010, Everyone! Let’s make it a banner year for Colorado Film!
