By Jack Canfield
How often do you set a goal then each day you hem and haw about whether or not you are going to do the thing you said you were going to do?
My guess: too often.
The reason: for most of our goals, we are 99% committed. 99% means we are constantly deciding whether or not to show up for the goal we set. For example: Are you going to work out today? Are you going to eat carbs today? Are you going to start pulling your bank statements to start your budget? Etc. 99% is exhausting and not effective at helping us reach our goals because we often lose motivation and tell ourselves we will try again tomorrow.
What if you were 100% committed to 1 or 2 goals? 100% means there is no hem and hawing. 100% means you are all in and are going to do the thing. Your commitment to the action has already made and all you have to do is show up whether you feel like it or not. Comparatively speaking 100% is easy.
I am 100% on 2 things:
1. Getting 8 hours of sleep every single night. This is my oxygen mask or my non negotiable. Everything in my life is harder and my health suffers if I don’t get 8 hours of sleep. I am strict on my bed time and often take melatonin to make sure I don’t toss and turn each night.
2. I do an exercise walk 5 days a week for 30 minutes at my target heart rate (128-145 bpm). Most of the time I am tired and do not feel like doing my walk. At least 3 out of 5 days, this activity feels torturous. But I am 100% committed to this goal so I never question or debate whether or not I am going to do my walk. I put on my shoes and I get moving. Why? For two reasons: 1) last year was rough and I put on weight as I tried to eat my feelings, 2) I want to be the type of person who is healthy, works out and maintains my mobility as I age. So I do my walk whether I feel like it or not.
If you really want to achieve the hard thing, it takes work and commitment. Most of the time, showing up for your goal is not fun. If you want this thing bad enough and if it is important enough to you, then it will be worth it.
Below are the links to two podcasts that touch on this concept. I use both of these episodes in my personal finance class for our unit Achieving What Seems Impossible.
My reaction when people say, ¨You are so lucky you get 8 hours of sleep¨ or ¨You are so lucky you have time to workout.
This is not luck or happen stance. These are very deliberate choices.
So where do you need to be 100%?
Is it time to be all in on your health?
Is it time to be all in on your relationships?
Is it time to be all in on your finances?
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Disclaimer: I am an educator, not your personal financial advisor. Please make sure to do your own research before moving forward with any actions discussed in this newsletter.
Know that all investments involve some form of risk and there is no guarantee that you will be successful in making, saving, or investing money; nor is there any guarantee that you won’t experience any loss when investing. Always remember to make smart decisions and do your own research!
