Flow state

By mastering these six skills, you will not only improve your ability to achieve your goals but also empower yourself to take control of your future.

Setting and accomplishing ambitious goals requires a diverse set of skills. Here are six practical abilities that successful goal achievers have acquired, which you can also learn and apply in your own journey.

As an experienced executive and team coach, I dedicate my time to guiding individuals and teams in setting effective goals.

Successful teams share six traits that can help you succeed, even if your aims are unique.

1. Polish your crystal ball.

The first thing to improve is your capacity to predict the future. Having a clear image of your future success can inspire and motivate you. Great goal-setters spend time picturing themselves in the future, having previously attained success.

Visualizing future success creates cognitive dissonance in your mind. And because the mind dislikes it when our thoughts do not match reality, it begins to take action to influence reality, propelling our unconscious thinking toward achieving our goals sooner.

2. Develop Your Planning Skills.

Successful goal-setters possess the ability to strategize,  map out the necessary steps to reach the objectives. They can discern the sequence of tasks and their interconnections. A well-crafted plan acts as a compass, guiding you from your current situation to your desired destination.

But don’t become wedded to the plan itself. Eisenhower once stated, “Plans are worthless, but planning is everything.” Great planners understand that the value comes from considering your options, devising a sound strategy, and assessing risks. Highly successful people take action, solicit feedback, generate insights, and re-plan swiftly.

3. Do it.

You can’t spend the entire day staring at your navel if you want to attain your goals. Yes, you should think and plan, but more importantly, act. Action not only moves you forward but also provides feedback.

I frequently compare it to when you initially switch on your phone’s GPS, and it’s unsure which way you’re facing. While you may wait for it to be considered, taking a few steps ahead will instantly modify your position on the map.

The same is valid for working toward your goals. Sometimes, you just need to do a few things to see if you’re making progress or if you need to reverse your course.

4. Master the Juke.

Great running backs learn to escape tackles by dogging, weaving, and twirling around defenders. They understand that attempting to square up and bash through them is rarely successful and nearly always painful.

The same holds true for highly productive people. When confronted with an impediment, these top performers do not lower their heads and plow through it with raw force. They find a means to avoid and get around it. Even if the hurdle takes longer or takes them down a different path than anticipated, they understand that moving forward is more vital than clinging to a plan that does not work.

5. Discover your inner Zen.

In the late 1970s, when exploring why artists become so immersed in their work that they go days without eating, psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi determined that these people enter a physical-mental state of hyperperformance known as flow.

He learned that everyone can achieve this extremely productive state. When they do, they can increase their performance by up to tenfold. Some people also describe a euphoric sensation of joyful fulfillment in which time passes without notice.

Finding your flow state is crucial for productivity. To maximize your productivity, choose the correct day of the week, time of day, setting, and mindset. Some consider it a wilderness retreat, while others think it a noisy coffee shop. Experiment to see what works for you.

6. You Can Do Anything, But Not Everything You Want.

The truth is that we all have limited time and energy. We must work on some things at a time. Great performers understand it is better to focus on one priority at a time and see it through to completion before shifting direction.

It’s a good idea to have a few different projects running so you can switch gears when you get stuck or frustrated, but keep the variety to a minimum and refrain from attempting to multitask between them. Larger chunks of concentrated time will allow you to delve deeper and address more significant, complicated challenges.

While these six skills form the foundation for success in goal-setting, it’s important to remember that skill development is a continuous process. As you continue to improve your goal-setting skills, you’re embarking on a journey of growth and achievement.

Related articles from your friends at Your Career Place.

https://yourcareerplace.com/leadership/writing-a-business-plan

https://yourcareerplace.com/career-development/unleashing-your-career-potential-a-guide-to-achieving

https://yourcareerplace.com/career-management-tip/how-to-be-a-great-employee