If you’re searching for a miracle pill, the latest get-rich-quick idea or some sort of law-of-attraction mindset hoopla, you’re not going to find it here. No, what I have to share with you is not nearly as seductive. My ‘secret’ to achieving any goal isn’t expensive or exclusive. It’s not complicated or ambiguous. But…it works. And it’s been effective in every realm of life, for people all ages, since the beginning of time.
The un-glamorous, ridiculously obvious secret to achieving any goal is that you actually have to Do The Work. Yes, that’s it. Just Do The Work.
No matter what your goal is, you have to Do The Work. Chances are you already know WHAT you have to do…it’s the doing of it that causes the problem.
If you want to lose weight, you have to show up at the gym.
When you aim to write a book, you have to sit down and write words on the page…every day.
A goal of saving money requires that you make difficult choices in small and large matters – over and over again.
If you’re looking for spiritual growth, you need to invest in your relationship with God and spend more time with His Word.
To become more organized, you have to take the time to create your system and choose every day to honor that system.
If you’re entering a season of simplifying, you must practice the art of saying no…frequently and unapologetically.
These are not things you can delegate. You have to Do The Work all by yourself. And you can’t skip a day, a week, a month or a year…you have to keep Doing The Work until you reach your goal – and often well beyond.
Sure, we moan and groan about going to the gym…we find excuses for not writing…we justify expenses we can’t afford…but that’s because we aren’t willing to Do The Work. Fortunately, Doing The Work is not as difficult as we make it out to be. Here are some tips to help set yourself up for success:
Six Steps to Help You Do The Work and Achieve Your Goals
1. Write it down. Not just the goal – but write down how you will feel when you accomplish it. Write down the things that will change in your life. If you don’t like writing, then draw, paint or create a vision board. Just keep the reminder someplace where you will see it every day so it will motivate you to Do The Work.
2. Create a habit. Experts say it takes 21 days to develop a habit. So commit to Doing The Work for 21 days. It’s not so overwhelming to think about making a change for three weeks. You can handle that, right? The good news is that after you’ve done it for three weeks, you’ve created a habit and it will be easier to maintain. Maybe that’s the whole premise of the 21-day fast I’ve been avoiding…
3. Tell someone. Tell everyone. Don’t keep it a secret. Allow yourself to be motivated by the knowledge that someone is watching you. Waiting for you to succeed. Wondering if you are willing to Do The Work.
4. Get support. Find someone who has been there before (or is currently trying to achieve the same goal) and agree to hold each other accountable. My sister and I have been complaining about the overstuffed closets and abandoned toys that clutter our homes. So we agreed to embark on Operation Clutter Free in which we’ll set goals and check in with each other every two weeks to stay on track. We may even have a friendly competition to further ensure our success! Together, we’re more likely to Do The Work.
5. Celebrate along the way. Every fitness or weight loss coach will tell you that it’s important to recognize milestones on the journey to wellness. The same holds true for any goal. Give yourself a pat on the back, a new pair of shoes, a trip to Starbucks, a bubble bath or whatever else you deem to be an appropriate reward for reaching key milestones toward your goal. I don’t know about you, but I’d be willing to Do The Work in exchange for sushi and a movie with my hubby!
6. Be an inspiration. When you achieve a goal or learn a lesson, it’s only natural that you will inspire others to do the same. Be open to that opportunity and willing to bring others along with you on the journey. You may find it easier to Do The Work when you realize that it encourages others.
What have I forgotten? Do you have any other secret tips for Doing The Work that’s necessary to achieve your goals? Share them with us here!
Theresa Ceniccola is The Christian Mompreneur—a mentor to moms who are running a business that supports their values of faith and family. As president and founder of the International Christian Mompreneur Network, she empowers entrepreneurial moms to build profitable businesses with wisdom and grace. Join the International Christian Mompreneur Network for free and receive the Ten Commandments of a Mompreneur toolkit!
Publication date: January 29, 2013
