It's fascinating to me that so many sales organization managers complain that their employees typically reach the quotas set by management, or perhaps even fall a bit short, but rarely exceed them. They get stuck in their comfort zone, setting and achieving smaller goals, ones that they know they can handle.
If you want to excel, set goals that cause you to stretch beyond your comfort zone and challenge you to step up. You know what I mean: goals that both excite and scare you.
The thought of actually accomplishing them excites you, because it would be so fantastic. And the thought of even attempting to accomplish them scares you, because you still think you are not smart enough, skilled enough, or powerful enough, or some other illusion is stopping you. Remember that FEAR, or False Evidence Appearing Real, is just that — false evidence. You have no reason to fear attempting your most audacious goals, so why not just go for it?
You Will Find A Way to Accomplish Your Goal
It is likely that if the goal is big enough and important enough to you, you will find a way to accomplish it. If your desire is strong enough, you will be guided to the right resources, people, information, and actions to reach your objectives.
If you were to take off the restraints, what would you go for? What goals would you strive to accomplish?
What great things would you attempt if you knew you would not fail?
What are you waiting for?
Don't Get Derailed: Keep Your Eye on the Goal
Years ago I had the pleasure of following the PGA professional golf tour and getting to know some of the top pros of the day. At the time, I was producing a series of videotaped golf lessons, which, unfortunately, was just a little ahead of its time. To compound the problem, I was also in the midst of self-destructing, so the project never got off the ground.
I did, however, spend a season traveling to the top tournaments and met and worked with some great pro golfers, such as Frank Beard, Al Geiberger, Bobby Nichols, and Dave Stockton. I had the pleasure of spending several hours talking with Julie Burroughs, considered one of the nicest people in the sport at the time.
What I observed among these superstars was that, in addition to being dedicated to the game and having the discipline to keep practicing even after playing a round, they had the unique ability to quickly recover from a bad shot. They did not let a poor shot carry over to the next hole. This is part of what makes them winners.
If You Fall, Get Up & Get Back In The Race
One evening I was talking with Frank Beard at dinner. He was explaining that one of the traits that made Al Geiberger a great golfer was his ability to focus all his attention on the task at hand. He didn't lament the missed shot on a previous hole, instead putting total effort into hitting the shot in front of him.
By the way, Geiberger won eleven times on the PGA Tour and ten times on the Champions Tour; however, he is best known as the first person to shoot a "mythical" 59 in a major tournament, the Danny Thomas Memphis Classic on June 10, 1977.
Similarly, a runner who trips on a pothole while running a race does not stop and stand there looking at the hole. Instead, she gets up and gets back in the race.
These lessons from the world of sports can be applied to your career and other parts of your life. What do you do when you make a mistake? Do you replay the experience over and over again in your mind, berating yourself for your error? Or do you behave more like the pro athletes, learning what you can from the experience, letting it go, and getting on with your life?
Learn Something From Your Mistakes and Move On
We all have failed outcomes, especially in business. I could go on, in great detail, about the lost opportunity with our golf video business, but the truth is, (no pun intended) I dropped the ball.
You're going to make mistakes — unless, of course, you never attempt anything. Assuming you do take some action, you will mess up. The best thing you can do is learn something from your mistake and move on.
I personally do not know of anyone who has achieved high levels of success without experiencing setbacks, problems, and even complete failures. The difference between the champions and the weekend "duffers" is that champions continue on, even in the face of adversity.
Resolve now not to let your setbacks derail your success. Be like the professional golfers and "play the shot in front of you."
©2014 by Jim Donovan. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted with permission of New World Library, Novato, CA.
www.newworldlibrary.com or 800-972-6657 ext. 52.
Article Source
happy @ work: 60 Simple Ways to Stay Engaged and Be Successful
by Jim Donovan.
The tools in this book will empower you with the knowledge that no matter the circumstance, you can think, act, and feel in ways that create purpose, success, and, yes, happiness.
About the Author
Jim Donovan speaks regularly to employees and executives at small businesses and large corporations. He is a frequent media guest and expert source on personal development, business success, and the spiritual laws that develop both. His previous books include Handbook to a Happier Life and What Are You Waiting For? It’s Your Life. Visit his website at http://www.jimdonovan.com/
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