How often have you failed to attain something, and then blamed someone or certain circumstances for falling short? We all do it. Recently, I was hoping to be hired by a new client, but he decided not to hire us. Oh well. It’s his decision and his loss. However, when I looked closely, I realized I didn’t fully address his needs (he was afraid and didn’t understand why what he wanted would cost so much). I fell short.
Or, I may have had a financial goal of earning $X. I didn’t meet it because (1) I didn’t have enough work, or (2) I had unexpected expenses, or (3) the economy took a dive.
Here’s what I see now that I’ve lived long enough to connect the dots: in probably every instance where I’ve fallen short, it’s because of one thing: I wasn’t 100% committed to it. I didn’t really go after it. I got distracted. I didn’t give it all I had. I made an excuse. When I fall short, it’s nearly always because I don’t insist on success and doing whatever it takes to get there!
So I’ve learned (and am still learning) to ask two questions at the beginning and throughout any goal:
1. What will it take to ensure I attain this objective?
2. What’s in the way of attaining it that I will get rid of right now?