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Unconventional Wisdom for Goal Success

We're already a week in to 2025. How's it going for you? Did you set an intention for this year? How successful have you been at implementing it so far?

For me, this year is starting off very different from previous years. It's a slower transition. I'm taking my time, still letting things marinade. And I'm letting myself be okay with that instead of trying to rush or force things.

Because I know that once I get clear on my goals for this year, I have the tools to be successful. Tools that, to be honest, are mostly the opposite of the conventional goal-setting wisdom out there.

I want to share 3 of those tools with you today:

• Be Improbable

  There's so much talk about setting goals that are achievable or realistic, goals you know you can be successful at. But a goal you already know you can accomplish isn't much of a goal, is it?

   

  Instead, dream BIG. Take what you think is probable and multiply it. Think possibility instead of probability or predictability. Create a goal so big it almost scares you. And remember: Fear is just excitement without breath. Take a breath, and go for it!

   

  For me, these big, crazy, wild, unrealistic goals are what real motivate me. And even when I come up short, I still feel successful.

   

  An example from last year: I made it my goal to read 100 books when my normal yearly goal is 52 (roughly one book/week). Well, I didn't make it to 100. Instead I made it to 17 pages left in book 99 before midnight struck.

   

  Now, you could look at that as "failing" to meet my goal, or you could see it as being successful at getting 98% of the way there.

   

  Personally, I choose the latter. It felt INCREDIBLE to read almost double the number of books I normally read. It was a stretch—and now I know what's possible. That is reinvigorating and motivating for me going forward.

• Celebrate Failures (as Much as Successes)

  When Elizabeth Gilbert got her first rejection letter from a publisher, she framed it. And every time she got rejected after that, she put the letter into a "Failure Folder." As she did, she would say to herself, "YAY! I got rejected!"

   

  Instead of seeing her rejections as failures, she chose to see them as evidence she was working toward her dream of being a published author.

   

  I myself write about so-called failures in my journal. What happened? How did it make me feel? What could I have done differently? What's my takeaway?

   

  Now, this isn't to say we should only focus on the negative. If you've been around here for a while, you know I believe celebration is gratitude's hotter, sexier cousin. And we need to take the time to savor our triumphs along the way. But it's all about perspective.

   

• Set Anti-Goals

  For some people, focusing on what they want is motivation enough. But for most of humanity? We fear consequences more than we desire rewards. Because negative experiences carry more weight in our little melon-sized brains. 

   

  This is pretty much the reason we evolved as much (or as little, depending on your perspective) as we have. If we didn't remember not to touch a hot stove after the first time, we'd all be burnt to crisps.

   

  Consider, however, a pleasurable experience: Going for a walk outside leaves you feeling great. You think to yourself, "I should do this more often." But do you?

   

  Now, back to your original goal. Let's say it was to "drop 2 pants sizes." It might feel great to think about wearing that black dress hanging in the back of your closet for 10+ years to your next class reunion. And this is certainly a valid part of your goal visualization process.

   

  BUT what is it you don't want that could happen if you don't get serious? These are your anti-goals. For the weight example above, anti-goals might look something like this:

  • I don't want to spend another $1,298 on blood pressure and cholesterol medication this year.

  • I don't want to miss out on taking my grandkids to Disney World because I'm not able to keep up walking around the park.

  • I don’t want to stand in my closet for 20 minutes every morning, cussing out my jeans for being two sizes too honest, then end up wearing leggings again because it’s the only thing that fits without threatening to cut off circulation.

     

  Think of anti-goals like this: Picking flowers (goal: have pretty things to put in a vase) and running from a bear (anti-goal: not wanting to get mauled) are two reasons to move your body. But which is really gonna light a fire under you?

Of course, you have to know yourself and what motivates you. I know these unconventional tips aren't for everyone—which is why they're unconventional. But if even one of them speaks to you, I hope it helps you be successful at your current intention.

If you have one, will you share it with me? Hit reply and let me know what you're calling in right now. There's so much power in multiple people holding a vision for one another.

With Fierce Love,

Chazz

P.S. If your intention is to eat healthier and you're already out of ideas for how to cook cauliflower, I'm offering my Magic Disappearing Veggies course for 25% off for the New Year. Click the link above (or see below for more info) and use the code 25for2025 before Friday at midnight!