Goal Setting in Three Simple Steps
By: Edward G. Loniewski, DO, FACOS, FAOAO
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At different times of our lives, we feel compelled to set goals for ourselves and sometimes for our loved ones. This process can be a long introspective process taking hours and numerous revisions. Sometimes you end up with a goal of never going through this process again! Well, I have three very simple three step process which will allow you to go through this mental exercise in under 30 minutes. It is as simple and quick as Decide, Discard and Discover. So, get out your paper and poorly sharpened pencil and start writing these down:
Step #1- Decide what is the number one item you must improve. Only pick one single item you need to decide upon. You can’t have two, only one single item. For example, I must decide that I am committing to the Cellular Healing Stem Cell program for my right knee. This is a very specific goal naming the exact area and the exact program. Now you have to do two things with this clear goal:
- Make a list of 10 items of painful thoughts if you do not accomplish this goal. For example, “If I do not take care of my right knee, I will have terrible pain climbing the stairs at work.”
- Make a list of 10 items of pleasurable thoughts when you actually accomplish this goal. For example, “If I follow through with the Cellular Healing stem cell program, I will be able to play pickleball with my friends this summer.”
Step #2- Discard Limiting Beliefs which will not allow you to accomplish this goal. Again, make a simple list and put the name “Limiting Beliefs” at the top. For example, “I always fail to follow through with my exercise program.” or “I am lazy” Now take this list and read each one out loud as loud as you can so you can hear how ridiculous each limiting belief sounds to your own ears. At the end, take the list and tear it up and discard it in the nearest trash bin. You are done with these limiting beliefs!
Step #3- Discover your own strengths- Every single person without exception has a great story to tell about overcoming obstacles. Everyone! If every single Disney character has a story of overcoming an obstacle, you most certainly have the same story. If a little cartoon character dog can have a compelling story of perseverance and patience, you will have one also. It may seem very minor in your mind, but nonetheless, it is a success story with clear clues on how you can apply this same formula to this goal. For example, when I was 10 years old, I wanted to swim across a lake in Northern Michigan. Although I failed in the past and was humiliated by some of my friends, I knew this was something I could accomplish and I discarded those voices of humiliation. I wrote out a new plan with new beliefs on how I can make it all the way to the other side. I set out to swim a few more yards every day for two weeks and wrote down my distance accomplishment each day. I promised my brothers that I was going to swim the entire length of the lake while they watched and cheered my on. This was my public declaration of my goal. I followed my plan and by August 30th, I swam the entire length. Although it was painful and scary at times, I kept moving my arms one over the other and kept thinking “ I can do it.” After 30 minutes and about 2,000 strokes, I was at the other side of the lake to the amazement of my friends and family.” See how this fairly boring and simple story contains all of the key components I need to accomplish almost any goal in my life? I decided on one single goal that I really wanted to accomplish. I got leverage through discarding my limiting beliefs and rid my mind of those voices telling me that I could not. I wrote out a plan of how I was going to swim a few more yards every day and made the public declaration that I was going to swim this by the end of Summer. I overcame my fears of pain and kept moving forward to now tell my own success story which I am now telling over and over again. This is the repetitive pattern for success. Everyone on the face of this earth has the same simple story. Everyone!
So, remember three simple words Decide, Discard and Discover and use these three steps for any goal you need to accomplish soon.
If you would like a personal one on one evaluation by Dr. Loniewski to review your goals and discuss all the options available for your condition, please call 810-923-0515 for an appointment or you can book a request on-line.