I Love Big Goals

I first learned about the concept of setting risky goals in Michael Hyatt's book Your Best Year Ever, but still didn't understand the benefits of setting goals I might not achieve. Big risky goals generate creativity and push us to try new things, new ideas, and new ways of looking at things.

Those big goals are the embodiment of the Nelson Mandela quote, 'I never lose. I either win or I learn.' Accepting the high possibility of failure can also loosen our death grip on the fear of failure. When I take action on one of my 'wouldn't it be crazy if' ideas, success may be unlikely — but it's almost a game to see how far I can get.

I get myself in trouble when…

I stop looking at success as a game and believe that anything less is failure. I stop learning and pushing myself. At that moment, my goal stops being a tool for my benefit and becomes my master.

The secret to these big goals is the alignment to the vision of our higher self, or our Blissful Self. A financial goal is great, but the bigger picture is how that financial goal serves you.

If your financial goal is $10,000 in a month, the money is just a tool to the higher something you really want. Maybe it's the peace that comes from paying off debt, or maybe it's to bond with your family on an extended vacation.

Focusing on the person I'm becoming as I take action on my big audacious goals fuels my energy and determination. When my emotions get wonky, I know I need to go back to my vision of that person I'm becoming and pour some love into her.

Why 30% is easier than 4%

In 10X Is Easier Than 2X by Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan, one of the main premises is that big goals are 'easier' to achieve because there are comparatively few ways to get there. Let's say your business revenue has been growing at 3% a year, so you decide to set next year's goal at a whopping 4%. How does that make you feel? Easily achievable. But does it excite you?

What if your goal is a 30% increase? Yep, that got your attention. Those big audacious goals might feel scary or exciting — but they are motivating. They inspire action and growth. You could get to 4% by doing what you've been doing. A 30% jump might mean a new product, a new market, a new version of you.

One mistake people make when they set goals is they choose results they are confident they can achieve. In a Mindvalley quest, Vishen Lakhiani shares that Google expects to successfully complete only 40% of the goals it sets. What a concept.

If you're ready to take some risks and possibly fail, you're in the right place. This is a community of people embracing their Blissful Self.