How much time do you spend thinking about what you think about?
How introspective are you?
Do you know, I mean really KNOW why you want to do the things you do?
I’ve found through leading hundreds of people through goal setting workshops and private coaching days that most people don’t know why they want to do what they want to do.
Often, once we dig deep into their motives, they find that the thing they thought they wanted wasn’t what they wanted at all, and there were better ways to get what they really wanted.
Let’s look at making more money as an example.
Why do you want to make more money?
Is it just because you want to see more zeros before the decimal point on your bank account balance? (I doubt it.)
Or (and more likely) is it…
Because you want to feel secure…you want to experience the best life has to offer…you want to provide well for your family…you want to X?
That is a good start, but why do those things matter?
Do they matter because you want to feel successful, accomplished, loved?
Good second step, now keep going.
Once you feel an emotional twang, you are getting close to the deep-seated reason for “wanting more money.” (note, “more money” is a place holder for any goal you wish to accomplish)
Now that you know why you want a thing, you can reevaluate if doing that thing, in our example, getting more money, is the optimal way to achieve that which you want.
Don’t skip this step.
This step does a few things…
1. It gives you a deep and visceral motivation like nothing else can.
2. Ensures that once you accomplish what it is you want to achieve, you don’t end up still seeking satisfaction for the deep-seated desire.
Many people are rich and unhappy. This is because they thought money would solve all of their problems. Now, money does provide the opportunity and greases the hinges to address many issues, but it is not a panacea, and the kicker is there is no panacea “out there.”
The panacea is located immediately between your ears.
Spending time every day understanding yourself, your actions, and your beliefs will revolutionize how you feel and act.
Do not skip this step.
Stop doing things just to do them or because you think you should or because society says you should.
Instead, figure out why you want to do them and how you want to do them through introspection.
Doing this will ensure you are living your best life and doing the things you genuinely want to do.
Look internally first to determine what you want (don’t skip this step) and then look externally on how best to fulfill your true desires.
Play MC Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This” and replace the lyric “Can’t touch this” with “don’t skip this” to help is sink in 😉