As much as I would love to hang on to summer a wee bit longer, here in the western hemisphere, the arrival of equinox makes it hard to ignore. Ready or not, fall is here.
The perfect time for goal-setting. Or is it?
In 2003 a book came out called “The Pleasure Trap” (Lisle/Goldhammer) which explored the relationship we as humans have with motivation. Their claim was basically that we have three distinct forces influencing our behaviour at all times:
Seeking of pleasure
Avoidance of pain or
Conservation of energy.
All of these drivers were pretty important back in the paleolithic days of dinosaurs and danger but in the modern world it doesn’t work quite as well. In fact, one might argue this motivational triad has created patterns of seeking immediate gratification, or avoidance of work or plain ‘ol procrastination when it comes to GSD (getting stuff done).
If you want to grow (your business, your self or improve something in your life) you are going to have to flip this whole model and commit to the opposite.
So before you set a new goal for yourself I invite you to ask yourself these three questions first:
Am I wiling to delay gratification on my way to the real goal (vs the false goal of immediate gratification)?
Am I willing to get uncomfortable aka get outside my cushy comfort zone and do some things that seem a little “painful” for me to do?
Am I willing to put in the effort and actually do the work to achieve the things I really want in my life?
If the answer is yes, then you are officially ready to set some new targets to finish off the year strong!
If I can be of help, let me know. There is almost always a 30 minute spot in my calendar for a discovery session to see if coaching might boost your business. All you have to do is ask. :)
Happy leaf-raking!
Beth