Just because the calendar simply switched from 2023 to 2024, it’s not enough to magically motivate us to achieve goals. If you want to achieve bigger and more exciting goals than ever before, you cannot take the current you with you. So, the question is who do you need to become, who is your future self that is going to get you to the next level? What got you here is not going to get you there.

For us to truly make a long-term change, we need to start with our thinking. By focusing on our assets and neutralizing our biases, we can start to take new actions to achieve the goals we want to achieve to make this year our best year so far. After we decide on our most important goals for the year, we need to identify the attributes we need to be more and the attributes we need to be less, so we can make the quantum leap forward.

Paul Meyer said, “You are where you are and what you are because of the dominant thoughts that occupy your mind.” For most of us, those dominating thoughts are our biases, and they are so deeply entrenched that we are typically running on auto-pilot. Biases are not totally bad because they got us where we are, but they won’t get us to the next level.    

The foundation of our success lies in correct consistent daily action. Success requires commitment and consistent, daily, deliberate practice. We call this practice “purposeful daily practices” — PDPs that will accelerate the rate at which your “A” game becomes your default instead of your “B” game.

We don’t think our thoughts; they automatically think us. We become attached or identified with our thoughts. Research tells us that most of our thinking is negative and repetitive. Remember, our attitude is a habitual way of thinking. A “way of thinking” is a perspective (a “lens” through which we view the world).

Our thoughts lead to actions consistent with that thought. And our actions develop into automatic habits or patterns of behavior. Now, these habits and behaviors shape our lives for better or for worse.

To transform our lives, we must first transform our thinking. Transformation is not an event; it is a practice — a consistent practice of making better choices.

Always remember the most important four-letter word in your goals program is next.

What is the one thing you can do today to get you one step closer to the goals? Learn more Achievable.com.