Winning the Hard Way or the Easy Way?

Back in 1979 a group of researchers decided to study the effect of goal setting. They interviewed Harvard MBA graduates, asking a simple question, “Have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?” It turned out that only 3% of graduates had written goals and plans. 13% had goals, but they weren’t in writing. 84% had no specific goals at all.

Ten years later they interviewed the class again. They found that the 13% who had goals, but were not in writing, were earning twice as much as the 84% of students who had no goals at all. But that's not the most astounding data. They found that the 3% of graduates who had clear, written goals when they left Harvard were earning, on average, 10 TIMES as much as the other 97% of graduates all together. The only significant difference was the clarity of their goals when they started out.

Many other studies since then have shown the same amazing results.

Whatever the reason for not setting goals, it is one of the reasons we have not discovered our own greatness and don’t have the life we so richly deserve.

Traditional goal setting will get you what you want (mostly) but absolutely counts on you working smartly and hard. I like to win the easy way with less effort and more ease. How about you?

Let's compare the "old way" of setting and accomplishing goals (hard work, lots of effort) and the "quantum" way of setting and accomplishing goals (ease, heart-based action).

Many of you are familiar with the SMART way of setting goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and tangible or timely)? It has been used by businesses for decades and is often used in personal goals classes. I believe that using this method sets you up to live in your head and to work hard. Live in your head and work hard! Is that what we all want? I propose that these two things are the opposite of where we want to be: living in your heart and succeeding or achieving your dreams with ease. Before I compare the traditional ways with the quantum way, what is the quantum way?

Quantum goal setting (one of my workshops) is based on the law of attraction or the power of intention, if you are more familiar with that term. It is to set bold big goals or dreams, to set into motion your own energy through thoughts and emotions so that this goal will be achieved using inspired action with ease. What makes it different from just following the law of attraction is that it provides a structure for clearly laying out goals, taking inspired action, overcoming obstacles and measuring success. It gives you all the tools necessary to achieve whatever you desire.

Specific: Being specific about your goal can be useful. In the quantum way, being specific can aid you in amping up your energy around the goal. But it may work against you in timeliness. That is the less specific, the faster it will happen. The results will be no less satisfying because they depend on your thoughts and emotions.
Measurable: This is another way of saying, how will you know when you’ve accomplished your goal. In quantum, you will know by whether it matches your vision and whether you are happy or satisfied with the outcome. Even if you can’t objectively measure it.
Attainable: The only limitation to what you can achieve is what you believe. If you believe you can own the world’s largest corporation, you can. If you believe you can be a ballet dancer at age 70, you can. If you believe you can be in a wonderful, loving relationship even though you never have been before, you can. Using your head alone, you may not see these as attainable depending on your situation. However, if you do not believe that something is attainable, work on the belief.
Realistic: Another way of saying attainable. Anything you can dream of you can achieve. Many would say that is not realistic.
Tangible and Timely: Again we differ significantly here. Quantum goal setting can be used for such inner intangibles as having more kindness in your life, being courageous, or being more beautiful. And setting a time limit goes against the idea of letting go and allowing the Universe to work its miracles for you. Although time limits can be used.

The Law of Attraction
Are you all familiar with the law of attraction? In brief:
a. It is the way everything is created, including everything in your current life.
b. Like attracts like energetically-speaking. What that means is that the thoughts and emotions you live in attract more of the same.
c. This is based on physics and there is lots of supporting evidence for this.
d. Universe or God if you choose the term, can never fail to give you what you are requesting through your energy, that is, your thoughts and emotions.

Phrase your desires:
As if it has already happened.
In the present.
As specific as you desire it to be.
Instead of being practical or realistic, be bold and dream big.
Look inside, what is it you REALLY want?

TIPS
A few tips to help you get started and on your way to achieving your dreams.
e. Create a physical representation of your dreams. This can be a written description, a drawing, pictures on a poster board, a collage, etc. Find a way to make it “real”.
f. Push yourself to dream as big and bold as you can. Stretch outside your comfort zone. They must still be believable by you.
g. Share your dreams with supportive people ONLY. Don’t open yourself up to negative remarks by sharing with those who you know will not support you.
h. Partner with a friend or family member or group to learn more and practice this process. Get reinforcement.
i. Visit my website and take my free monthly newsletter (http://www.lifeunfolds.com/news.htm)
j. Read books about living your dreams and the law of attraction. Some suggested books are at my website http://www.lifeunfolds.com/books.htm.
k. Celebrate even the smallest steps as you move forward.
l. Have and feel gratitude for everything you have and that is coming to you as we speak.







Copyright 2006 by Mary Anne Fields and Life Unfolds, all rights reserved.