Core Values: Three Steps to Being Action Oriented and Achieving the Big-Slow Dream

Imagine reaching a level where every action taken is totally productive and efficient. Whatever task was undertaken, great results were achieved. Life is good, not a care in the world! Wait a minute, that's Disney World! In actuality, only at select times are these high levels of productivity and efficiency reached and that's for those that are at the top levels. In general, Leo Tolstoy has the right idea, "True life is lived when tiny changes occur."

A song titled Dream Small goes against the norm. A lot of research needs to take place to find a top motivational speaker agreeing with the theme of this song. The lyrics include having big dreams, but none of that happens until the small ones become a reality. So many people, including myself, start with the big dream that ends up stalling because of overwhelm and the lack of significant progress taking place.

A better description for the dream big idea is to "dream slow." My personal inspiration to try a graduate Masters program came about nine years after undergrad. Actually starting the course work took at least another two years. Add another nine years to begin the Ph.D. program. The slow dream to complete a full 140.6 triathlon took 20 years. The dilemma here is the dreams were both big and slow so the new invented Dr. Dan term is the big-slow dream.

Is there any such thing as an overnight success? Maybe you are exposed to a whole slew of unique people, but of the hundreds of successful people I've studied and read about, the common satirical statement in one way or another is, "Sure... I'm a 10-year overnight success." Reality can be harsh, but when a big-slow dream is achieved, deep satisfaction and appreciation arise, but none of it happens without the first step.

The first step to taking action is to start with a small dream that is measurable and achievable. A key part of this is completing something in a reasonable time to give some momentum and encouragement to proceed to the next step. The small dream is one of Tolstoy's tiny, but significant changes that is part of accomplishing the big-slow dream.

The second step is recognizing that an "imperfect done" is much better than a masterpiece that isn't. The reason is, there is no perfect masterpiece and even if there was, it has to be finished to be displayed. Every once in a while some outlier product or performance arises that seemingly is perfect. However, the feeling of the accomplishment being perfect is rarely determined by the author or originator of the work. The conclusion of doing excellent may have occurred, but certainly not a work or performance of perfection.

When a masterpiece does emerge, it may not be recognized until the creator has died and after numerous failures and inferior works had been done. The conclusion, instead of trying to be perfect, do the best with what is available at the time and get something done. Whatever is created can certainly be improved, but the best improvements are made by multiple exposures and upgrades to an already finished product.

The third step is keep track of progress being made especially when it's slow. Celebrate the victories along the way and learn from the defeats. Done consistently, this leads to developing systems and processes that can be formalized to increase productivity. An overall forward movement is the objective, because once the perception arises that the big-slow dream is beyond reach, the will to finish is greatly hindered.

The dream of going to Disney World for most people happens after much saving, planning, and waiting that all take time. The big dream that finally happens was really slow to come about, but the anticipation of getting there was actually fun at times.

Likewise, people undertaking a big-slow dream remain persistent because of the anticipation of the great reward of achieving it. The right big-slow dream also has inherent aspects that make the journey a learning experience and fulfilling as well. Are there any guarantees for success? Certainly not, but better to have tried and failed than to never know if it could have happened. Dream big... but slowly.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Core-Values:-Three-Steps-to-Being-Action-Oriented-and-Achieving-the-Big-Slow-Dream&id=9952444

Smart Goal Tips

             

I had always heard about S.M.A.R.T. goals but I wasn't sure what that actually meant. I struggled with setting goals and then actually accomplishing them. I would set several New Year's resolutions each December, but I can promise you by January 31st, I couldn't remember what they were.

I started working at various companies and had to actually set S.M.A.R.T goals in order to get a decent raise. I had to find things that would stimulate my growth in my current position, while helping the company prosper. I managed to do it, but I disliked it and always relied on someone else to tell me what my goals should be. I faked it pretty well and got my raises.

Now, I have my own business and I set S.M.A.R.T goals for myself; ones that I create and ones that I don't want to fake my way through. If you're like me and need help knowing what S.M.A.R.T goals are, here's a breakdown:

SPECIFIC: You must bring clarity to what you what to accomplish by being as specific as possible:

Wrong Example: I will save more money this year 

Right Example: I will save $5,000 by December 31st

MEASURABLE: This is where you can truly measure whether or not you hit a goal.

Wrong Example: I will lose weight 

Right Example: I will weigh 125 lbs. by May 15th current weight: 130 lbs.

ACTION ORIENTED: Use action verbs when setting goals such as: reduce, save, earn, exercise, invest, enroll, run, etc.

Wrong Example: I will be more consistent with exercise 

Right example: I will exercise five days a week

REALISTIC: If your goals are too big, you are setting yourself up for failure. I encourage you to set goals that stretch you and cause you to grow, but are also attainable.

Wrong Example: I will save $50,000 by May 31st (from my salary of $70,000 per year) 

Right Example: I will save 10% of my current salary = $7,000 by May 31st

TIMELINE: Deadlines are motivating. Always establish a "due" date. It keeps you motivated to achieve the goal you've set. The most productive day of the year is the day before vacation. Why? There's a deadline. The quickest way to clear your house is to invite company over. Why? There's a deadline.

Wrong Example: I will write my book 

Right Example: I will finish my manuscript by September 30th

It may take some time to set your S.M.A.R.T goals and start accomplishing them, but if you want your business to succeed, it is something you must learn to do!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Smart-Goal-Tips&id=9668232

10 Questions To Help You Tap Into Your Purpose

People often begin their search for career answers by asking philosophically-driven, introspective questions like, "What makes me come alive?", "What did I enjoy doing as a kid?" and "What is the legacy I want to leave behind?" These are wonderful, thought-provoking questions that are fun to think about, and they are generally a good place to start when thinking about where are true passions lie.

However, in my work as a career coach, I often see people relying too heavily on these questions. They see article after article promoting this kind of self-reflection and assume that they should be scouring their minds for deep in the recesses of their brains. As a result, many stall out and get frustrated when they can’t find the perfect answer.

For many people, their issue is actually that they're asking the wrong questions. That doesn't mean these kinds of broad questions aren't helpful; they can be a productive starting place. But once you’ve done a cursory pass through with these "passion questions," it’s time to move on to another, more action oriented and practical question set.

Here are ten question to ask to actually jump-start your connection to your passion and figure out what it is that actually moves you to feel motivated and alive.

1. What’s my hunch about what I should do next?

Give it a go!

2. What have I previously dismissed that is something I’d really like to do?

Find a small way to try it out.

3. Who in my life would be unconditionally supportive toward me as I try to achieve my goals?

Lean on these people for support and encouragement.

4. Who in my life has a strong opinion about what I should be doing?

Avoid sharing your tender dreams with the types of people who have a negative outlook or a risk avoidance attitude?. Aim to build a more supportive network around yourself and your goals.

5. What real world experience could I pursue to give me more insight into my path?

Real world experience always trumps thinking about things. Put yourself as close to the thing you’re thinking about as you can. Then watch how you interact with that experience. Are you on the right track? Do you need to revise course? Adjust as needed. 

6. Who could I talk to who is already doing what I want to be doing?

Or where could you go to find people to talk to who are interested in what you are interested in? Our own brains are limited, but you can learn a ton by talking to people. Set up a coffee date. Attend a relevant event. You’ll learn new perspectives that you never would have come to on your own.

7. What’s most important to me right now?

Is it finances, family, work/life balance, fulfillment, making a difference, time off, flexibility, being a part of a team, autonomy, challenge? What am I willing to sacrifice to achieve my priorities? Career choices involve compromises, so getting clear up front on what you most want is critical.

8. What will inspire me to take action?

Think stories, quotes, questions, or ways of looking at things. Can you sense a theme here? I’m a fan of action. Oftentimes a thought or inspirational story can give you just the boost you need to get moving.

9. Is there anything I need to let go of that is currently keeping me stuck?

Sometimes I talk to people who have been through a rough work experience. Others have attempted a dream that didn’t work out. If you’re feeling really stalled out, unconfident, or blocked, it’s a good idea to talk things through with someone who can help you to work through your situation and move on.

10. What’s the next small, real world step that I see in front of me?

How soon can I take that step? Take action.

Too many people spend too much time trying to find their passion through self-reflection alone. You can’t get the full scope of your ideal career direction in a vacuum. Action and environment are more important. You need to get out there. Answer these questions, follow through by taking action, and you will turbo-charge your career evolution.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-18187/10-questions-to-help-you-tap-into-your-purpose.html