The High-Achiever's 8-Step Guide to Setting Crystal Clear Goals

Did it happen to you yet?  Did the panic-thought jump into your brain confronting you with reality…  that you have not set not one dang goal for 2023?

I’m not here to judge.  But I am here to nudge.  (…see what I did there????  😊 ) 

Let me encourage you to think deeply about what you’d like to do this year. It’s time to leave the pie in the sky goals behind and confidently walk forward into this new year with a crystal clear vision.

Grab a cup of your fav tea, or a glass of vino and find a comfortable sitting position.  Use these eight tips to think through your largest goals.

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Step 1: Know Your Why

Your goals become more powerful the second you attach a significant meaning to them. Your "why" is the reason you want to accomplish a goal.

Anyone can set a goal to lose weight, pay off debt or make more money, but what does that change mean for you in your life? If you can take a step back from the actual goal and think about how your life will be impacted by this action, you'll be able create more powerful goals. 

For example: 

Your Goal: I want to pay off my student loan debt.
Better Goal: I want to pay off my student loan debt because: 

1. I will have more disposable income.

2. I can save more for retirement.

3. I can be a better role model for my child.

4. I can focus on investing and creating a better financial portfolio.

Having a goal is great, but understanding why you want to accomplish that goal is even better. If you can pinpoint a few good reasons or great side effects of accomplishing this goal, then these reasons will help you continue to commit to the goal when times get rough. 

Step 2: Quantify it

Quantifying your goals means to attach a number to them. This means breaking down how much weight you want to lose, how much debt you have to pay off or how many times you want to get deep tissue massages. (Just me?)

For example:

Your Goal: I want to pay off my student loan debt. 
Better Goal: I am going to pay off $32K in student loan debt. 

The benefit of quantifying your goals is that you can clearly and easily articulate exactly how much you have to go on your goals. 

Step 3: Add in a due date

Do you remember being in high school and the teacher tells you you have a paper due at the end of the month, but you'll wait until three days before it's due to start researching and writing it? Due dates add a sense of urgency. It can give you the kick in the pants that you need to get moving on the goal. 

Your Goal: I am going to pay off $32K in student loan debt.
Better Goal: I am going to pay off 32K in student loan debt by December 31st. 

Always set a concrete date for when you want that goal to be completed. Otherwise, you might be reaching towards the same goal every single year because you did not give yourself a definitive date to get it done. Your goal for the year becomes a "someday" goal.

Step 4: Add in the how

Your "how" is your action plan. Breaking your big goals into the simpler goals it'll take to accomplish the goal, you make the goal more tangible. You give yourself an opportunity to mentally break down what it will take to get there. 

Your Goal: I am going to pay off $32K in student loan debt.
Better Goal: I am going to pay off $32K in student loan debt by December 31st by lowering my living expenses by 25%, sticking to a strict "fun money" budget and creating online products.

This step is one of my favorites because it forces you start talking in terms of action. 

 

Step 5: Think about the frequency

Every week on Sunday, I head down to a coffee shop and get to work. I can sit there anywhere from 4-6 hours (like a legit 9-to-5) and that is the day that I'm most productive. When I first started doing this, I would pull myself out of bed, shower and have breakfast then (after a half hour of convincing myself that this was good for me) I'd head to the coffee shop. After weeks of doing this every Sunday, no matter where I am or how I feel that day, my body pulls me into a coffee shop to work. 

Adding in the frequency that you will perform an action that helps you reach your goals (whether it's daily, weekly or monthly) will help you develop a habit over time. 

For example:

Your Goal: I'm going to work out more. 
Better Goal: I'm going to work out three days a week. 
Best Goal: I'm going to work out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 

Getting super clear on when you will work on your goals - and sticking to it over time - will increase your ability to accomplish your goals because over time you'll develop habits.

Step 6: Make Your Goal Present On Your Schedule

Chris Hart once said

"Show me your calendar and I'll show you your priorities."

It basically means that we all make time for the things that we want to do and the things that we value in our lives. If you want to be a high achiever, you simply have to make your goal one of these priorities. 

That starts with giving your goals a definitive time on your calendar. 

For example:  

Goal: I'm going to work out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 
Better Goal: I'm going to work out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays after work.

When you have time slotted for your goal and nothing else can take that time, you become unstoppable.  

Step 7: Speak as if it's already done

Your brain, while incredibly complex, is also pretty easy to trick. That's why we do vision boards annually and look at them daily - the more your brain sees something, the more it believes it's already done. The same thing goes for what you say. 

Changing your goals from something you will do in the future to something you're currently doing tells your brain that you are committed to doing this NOW - it's not something you're putting off to a later date. 

For example:

Your Goal: I'm going to work out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays after work. 
Better goal: I work out every Monday, Wednesday and Friday after work.

Step 8: Don’t give up

Life will sometimes throw us curve balls.  Whatever happens, try not to ever give up on achieving the goals that are most important to you.  It is always better to revise a goal to give yourself more time to finish it, rather than give up on the goal altogether.

Bonus: FOCUS on one goal at a time

My last piece of advice is to focus on one large goal at a time. If you're trying to do five things at once, you're putting 20% of your energy into 5 different things. While you might be incredibly busy, you may have nothing to show for it at the end of the day. Choose one goal that will make a huge difference in your life - and once that goal is completed - move on to the next one. 

Happy Goal-Crushing!

xoxo

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously getting the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder back from each group. A super win-win. Please join our Thrive Lounge community so you too can benefit!

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Color Matters: Boost Mental Health…and score a BONUS BENEFIT for your undertone

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Colors are a great tool for personal development and are good for your mental health. They can boost your work efficiency and give you more peace of mind. Each color has a different value, and you should become familiar with which colors work together to make you feel your best. Most of us associate certain colors with happy memories - a definite plus!

Rainbow of Warm and Cool Colors

According to an article in Psychology Today color can invoke an emotional response.  What that means is you can steer your mood or create a certain room ambiance in terms of color selection.  Have you heard of warm or cool colors?  Psychology classifies colors as being “warm” (reds and oranges) and “cool” (blues and greens). They also explain that humans are drawn to warm colors, such as reds and oranges.  For example, warm colors can be used to draw people’s attention toward a particular section of a large space.  In contrast, we see designers all the time use light colors in smallish rooms to make the space appear larger.

Here are more in-depth details about popular primary colors and their effects.

Blue

Blue is a color with a calming effect on the human mind. It increases mood, confidence, and energy levels, and is also helpful in promoting a healthy liver. It also boosts creativity. The psychological effects of color are influenced by the wavelengths in which each color affects the brain. Blue, for example, is often associated with peace and tranquility, while red tends to cause anger. Hence, it's important to pay attention to how a certain color makes you feel and take into consideration any influences that may have affected your feelings.

Several studies have proven that blue has positive effects on mental health. In addition to relaxing the mind, it lowers blood pressure and helps reduce stress. In addition, blue enhances creativity, memory, and alertness. It may even improve the mood of people who are suffering from depression. Moreover, it enhances spirituality and peace of mind. In addition, it's the most preferred color among men.

Another study has shown that blue makes you feel more confident and calm. People who work in intellectual environments benefit from blue environments. They are more likely to be focused and productive. While blue may be calming, vibrant colors can also enhance your mood. People all over the world have a fondness for blue. Blue is also associated with water, and humans have long associated it with healing.

The hue, saturation, and brightness of colors affect our mood. The brightest, saturated colors can induce the strongest emotional reaction. Researchers have also linked different colors with specific mental states, including depression and anxiety. The practice of "color therapy," or chromotherapy, combines color knowledge and psychology to promote mental health. The concept behind color therapy is that every color has its own unique wavelength and vibration, and these wavelengths can influence our emotions.

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Red

Bold and eye-catching red.  People seeing others in front of red backgrounds may find those individuals more attractive than when they see them silhouetted against say, a lighter-colored background. Red can be perceived as a burst of strength. Great idea for a powerful accent wall or gym areas, etc. Seeing red has been linked to impaired analytical reasoning.  Therefore, likely a bad option for offices, where we need staff to have an optimal environment for innovative thinking and problem-solving.

Indigo

The color indigo is associated with intuition and imagination, and it can boost mental health. It can also help reduce stress and increase self-awareness. It can also enhance extrasensory perception and help us develop creative thinking. The color is also calming to the respiratory system, and it can reduce swelling and bleeding. It can also tone the skin.

Indigo is also a good choice for meditation since it promotes deep concentration, which can help you reach deeper levels of consciousness. This color is associated with the New Age, which relies on intuition to help people achieve their goals. The hue is a combination of violet and blue and is neutral in nature. However, some people associate it with separateness.

The color indigo is also said to promote healing, which can benefit the mind, body, and spirit. When you see the color in meditation, you can visualize healing light in your mind. Try taking a deep breath and picturing an indigo ray of light. The colors can be beneficial for people with headaches, vision issues, or sleep disorders.

Yellow

Yellow is one of the most uplifting colors for many people. Psychologists and designers have studied its effect on people. It can evoke a wide variety of psychological responses, some universal and some cultural. However, some colors can affect different people in different ways. Yellow may boost your mood more than others, depending on the way you view the color.

This warm, sunny color is associated with mental clarity and intelligence. It also stimulates creativity. It has a calming effect on the nervous and digestive systems and boosts metabolism. However, yellow is not without its downsides. It reflects high amounts of light, so it may affect vision. If you use too much yellow in your office or at home, it can lead to eye strain.

Yellow is also a mood booster, especially for entrepreneurs and innovators. It can stimulate creativity, which can make you more optimistic. It also creates a soothing effect, which may be beneficial for people who are unsure of their future. Green is another color that promotes mental health, as it strikes the right balance between primary colors and creates a sense of calm. Green is also beneficial to people who meditate.

Yellow is an eye-catching color, but should be used in moderation in advertisements. It is a happy color, and people who drive yellow cars are often happier. This is because people like to be noticed, and yellow helps people to be seen. Yellow is also a great color for your home, and you can enhance your mood with yellow accessories and accents.

Orange is another color that can increase your energy. It can also increase productivity. This color is a combination of physical red and emotional yellow and is associated with happiness and determination. It is possible to overdo it, though.

Turquoise

Turquoise can be a soothing color that restores the spirit, particularly during times of stress and loneliness. It also encourages creativity, calms the nerves, and increases sensitivity. Turquoise also aids in the development of clear thought, clearer decisions, and increased self-esteem. It is also a good choice for those who wish to increase their spirituality or develop empathy.

Turquoise is known as the stone of truth.  During a presentation, you could leverage turquoise to have your audience see you as speaking more truthfully and openly. It also reduces social anxiety and improves understanding in the world. Turquoise comes in a variety of shades and each one offers a different benefit. Light blue turquoise is the most optimistic shade and is supposed to bring inner harmony and peace to its user. Green turquoise, on the other hand, is said to help people overcome panic attacks and anxiety by allowing them to see things from a different perspective.

Orange

Here’s something you may not have known.  The antioxidants found in oranges may protect mental health. A 2018 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that a higher flavonoid intake is linked to lower risk of depression and weight gain. Another study published in the journal Current Development in Nutrition suggests that flavonoids from citrus peels may also prevent the growth of cancer cells by supporting apoptosis.

Neutral colors

Colors that boost mental health are warm-toned and neutral. While red and blue can provoke feelings of sadness and anger, neutral colors like brown and gray can help people feel relaxed and comfortable. In addition, they also increase sensitivity and enhance creativity. However, there are a few caveats when choosing colors.

Although there is no definitive link between color and mood, it is known to improve the perception of those who are around it. Neutral colors boost mental health by enhancing a person's perception of color. They help people feel more relaxed and help them sleep better. Using shades of yellow that are less saturated also helps to improve mood. It's also a great choice for sunny rooms, as yellow can intensify the effect of sunlight.

Purple

Purple colors are calming and reassuring to the mind. These hues are often found in flowers, such as purple anemones, and are known to boost your mood and creativity. Purple is also thought to increase your insight and creativity. It can help you focus on your goals and keep you calm.

Purple can also boost your spirituality and mental clarity. Purple has been associated with royalty and prosperity. It promotes creativity and memory recall, and can improve alertness and focus. It can be especially beneficial for those who are feeling low or depressed. Purple light bulbs can be placed in your bedroom to help boost your mood and energy. Blue is also a soothing, comforting color. Studies have shown that it can improve people's feelings of trust and serenity. It may help you cope with problems.

Color and Undertone

Undertone in this context is simply what colors may look best on you.  We mention it here because it may be worth you knowing this.  Looking in the mirror and liking what you see before a much-anticipated date, a coveted interview, or an important presentation is key.  Stack the odds in your favor and learn to work with your undertone by using complementary colors.

We hope that you found this information helpful.  It offers an interesting perspective on how color can affect our daily lives.  Reflect on how you can use color to enhance your mental well-being.  Additionally, play with color in your home, work, or business. 

Drop a comment below: What do you do to build up your confidence before a workshop or public speaking event?

Want To Start Planning Your Vision Board Workshop? 

• Thrive Lounge can get you started with our vision board workshop STARTER KIT. Click here for all the details.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously receiving back the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder from the TL group. A super win-win!

Please join our Thrive Lounge email list. We'd love to share our newsletter, have you attend occasional workshops and have you as a member of our positive world-wide village of great people.

Discover more from Thrive Lounge

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