What goal, if you achieved it, would really be a breakthrough in your life or in your business?
We all have one, although we don’t let ourselves think about it too much. We often suppress even the thought of it because:
- ‘it’s not realistic’
- ‘it’s too big’
- ‘I don’t have the resources (e.g. time, money, skills…)’
- ‘I never even achieved (fill in the blank)’
- ‘I am too (old, young, dependent on my job, etc.)
- 'It's fun to think about, but that's not really who I am'
We all have at least one good reason to explain to ourselves and others why we are not going for our breakthrough today.
What’s yours?
Going Beyond The Surface
If you’ve paused for even a fraction of a second to really consider the two questions I’ve asked of you in the last 15 seconds, you will know two of the three things you need to know.
- What's your breakthrough goal?
- What’s holding you back?
Frankly, most people never get beyond these two questions. In fact, these two questions are the story that nearly every person in the world uses to define their level of success. They know they want more, but they have a conflicting belief that what they have is all they can have. Therefore, the success they have achieved is as far as they are destined to go. They will repeat the stories of what they want and why they can't achieve it again and again to anyone who will listen. But mostly, they repeat it to themselves day after day and night after night.
What if that’s just not true?
What if these questions are just the starting point for your breakthrough?
Let me explain.
What Happens When You Set Breakthrough Goals
When you set your mind on a goal that is bigger than anything you have ever achieved before, and you start to work toward that goal, you automatically trigger the survival instincts that are programmed deep within your brain and body to keep you safe and alive.
These instincts don’t show up as flashing lights and warning bells. No. They are far more subtle, even seductive. They come to you in the form of a protective voice that either berates you for thinking YOU could do this thing you are considering or the voice offers insights into why it is just not possible for you to do this thing.
These are the voices I hear. For you, there might be different voice...If so, you’re not going crazy. This voice is your body's and brain's way of keeping you safe. In fact, when you hear the voice, it is a sign that you are on the right path.
Triggering the survival system means you’ve crossed over that boundary of the comfortable and familiar into the land of growth and real opportunity. You have stepped onto the field of the best sport humanity can ever play in. On this field the opponents are not who they appear to be: lack of resources, lack of connections, lack of ideas, etc.
The opponents on this field are actually all versions of you. They are all playing a role in this game to test your mettle and your skills, to drive you to higher levels of performance. And, the only thing you have to conquer on the way to achieving your breakthrough is you: your mind, your emotions and your beliefs.
The most powerful tool you have will be used against you. Your opponents will steal it, hide it, even camouflage it so you can’t see the reality.
Do you know what that tool is?
It is your purpose. It is the reason why you want this breakthrough. It is the fuel that keeps you going and the stimulant that keeps you motivated.
Your opponents will convince you that you’re going for your breakthrough for the money, the praise, the awards, for your kids or your significant other…
But these all pass away—sometimes in an instant. And, you are left with a depressing hollow feeling that nothing can fill up. You might try to fill it with friends, parties, alcohol, drugs, or the next breakthrough goal.
But none of that will last.
The Third Question
What you need to ask yourself right now is this:
What is that purpose that is deeper than all of the results that come with achieving your breakthrough? And, what will really happen while I am on this journey, even if I don’t achieve the results I am aiming for while I give everything I’ve got?
The answer is shockingly simple. And that is why we miss it or are never taught it. Because it is seems too simple.
The answer is the topic of my Brave Leadership Mastery class today. But, I will share a hint of it with you…
There is a third question you must ask yourself when you take on any breakthrough goal. The answer reveals your purpose.
- What is my breakthrough goal?
- What’s holding me back?
- Who do I have to be to achieve this goal?
This last question is the difference between those who achieve breakthroughs and discover a richer, fuller life and those who fall into the depressing search for the next momentary high.
The real success in chasing a breakthrough goal is not the achievement of the goal. That’s just the icing on the cake.
Why You Need Breakthrough Goals
The reason you should be pursuing breakthrough goals and the purpose of these goals is who you become, the habits you develop, and the awareness you gain about yourself and your dormant capabilities in the process of achieving the goals. Anything short of that is a waste of your life.
This is what makes the diligent pursuit of a breakthrough goal one of the bravest things a person can do. Because, he or she, you and I, face our sharpest critics, deepest fears and greatest battles. And we do this, not for a trophy or the praise, but to be--more than ever before--our best selves.
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Pursuing Your Breakthrough Goals
As you consider pursuing your next breakthrough goal, you may realize you have areas where you too could improve your leadership. While it is not for everyone, we have created a program to teach advanced leadership skills to those who want to achieve more, more quickly. We call the program Brave Leadership Mastery. It is available by application only. We leverage the latest research in human experience to help you overcome the mental and emotional patterns holding you back from success. We help you instill daily and weekly practices that are proven to work through rigorous double-blind tests at Harvard, Stanford and other top universities.
If you'd like to see if you qualify for this unique program of Brave Leadership Mastery, we invite you to apply at www.BraveLeadershipMastery.com.
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Tony Bodoh is the co-author of the #1 best selling book, "The Complete Experience: Unlocking the Secrets of Online Reviews that Drive Customer Loyalty" and he is the creator of the 30 Day CX Challenge where employees quickly learn how to really listen for the hidden patterns in what customers say or write and then how to effortlessly act to evoke a 5-Star customer experience.