Mindset Mondays: Decide What You Want, It Makes Every Other Decision Easier

The Problem:

Have you ever felt paralyzed by indecision? It doesn’t matter if you are trying to pick what college to go to, where you want to travel to, or what you want to eat for dinner; not being able to make a choice can be crippling. This feeling creeps up that tells you that you are not capable of making such a choice because there are too many things to weigh and consider.

The other side of this coin is the feeling like you are not in control and you are making bad decision and after bad decision in a never-ending spiral downward. Sometimes, we don’t even know we are in this tailspin because it can just seem like bad luck.

Both of these can be attributed to not having something that you can align yourself with that takes making certain decisions in order to achieve.

Solution:

Envision what you want for yourself and how you would like to be looked at by the ones close to you. Be realistic and honest with yourself about what is possible. It is healthy to start at your ultimate goal off in the distance at first but then bring it back a timeline that is manageable. When it comes to making actual goals, try not to think too far ahead. Sometimes it is best to think about you would want to be in three months, six months, and year.

Then make a list of what you want and physically write it down starting with the things that are closer in deadline.

1. I want am going to be able to run a 6-minute mile in the next three months
2. I want am going to build a treehouse for my kids by summer
3. I want am going to have a profitable side hustle in 6 months
4. I want am going to travel to two different countries this year
5. I want…no… I am going to….

Then below each one, make a list of things that need to be done in order to achieve them.

I am sure everyone knows how to make “GOALS” but the trick is not just to write down what you are hoping for, it is the things that you are deciding you are going to do. They are personal debts that need to be paid before you do anything else.

VISION…. It is everything.

I cannot tell you how important having a vision for the future can improve every aspect of your life. Thinking about what you would like to happen compared to visualizing the potential of something and making it happen is quite literally the difference between dreaming and achieving.

Great leaders have great visions. People follow them because they believe in their leader’s ability to get somewhere than their own. A great leader knows where they want to go and invite others to follow them to that destiny. This is even true inside of our own minds. Having a clear vision for ourselves allows us to take action and evaluate our progress every step of the way. Once you make this decision, every other decision becomes easier to make. You know what is possible, you know you want it, and you will know if you are on your way to achieving it.

Why it works:

Once you decide where you want to go, it becomes easier to choose how you will get there.

Once you decide something and you realize what needs to be done in order to make it come true, it makes every other decision easier to make.

Once you change your mindset for good, it will transform how you live your life.

For example:

If you decide you want to be a happier, healthier person, you must make that a decision.

“There is no try! There is only do!” - Yoda

Write out your goal:

I am going to become a healthy and happy person over the 3 months.

Then make a list of things that are stopping you from or will help you become that:

1. Stop Eating Taco Bell
2. Learn about nutrition and cook for yourself 4 nights a week
3. I owe 3 days a week at the gym where I will do cardio, weightlifting, and yoga
4. Start a meditation practice (download Headspace app) (or visit Relax Like A Boss)
5. Get better sleep (average 7-9 hours)
   1. Wake up at a set time every day
   2. Give yourself an extra 20 min in the morning to enjoy the morning or cook a healthy breakfast

Start with just a few but here is a list of some other ones that might help you:

1. Stop talking to my Ex
   1. Get off tinder
   2. Start a conversation with a cute stranger once a week
2. Stop smoking weed in the middle of the day
3. Be more punctual
4. Start reading
   1. Read/listen to one book per month
5. Get your emotions under control (see previous blog post here on how to control anxiety)
   1. Reduce your anxiety
   2. Stop lashing out at people
   3. Never have to make an excuse for your behavior ever again
6. Cut down drinking to one drink per day, or one night out a week.
7. Get my finances under control (see previous blog post here on saving money)
8. Get a hobby that you can do two-to-three times a week (better if it’s active then you can knock out being happy and healthy at the same time….and get obsessed)
   1. Ride a bike
   2. Yoga
   3. Running
   4. Swimming
   5. Run the stairs in your apartment
9. Do three things a week that make me happy
   1. Take my dog to a dog park
   2. Do something creative (paint, write, take pictures, edit a video…)
   3. Take a bath
   4. Give to the needy
   5. Do something thoughtful/nice for a loved one
   6. Just sit somewhere beautiful for an hour and don’t look at your phone

Remember that when you write these things down, you are committing to them. There is no negotiating with your lazy side. There are no remembering excuses later. You owe these things to your future, better self. So make sure that they are realistic and will help you reach your goal.

Tackle one or two things at a time. You are not going to turn around your whole life in a month but you might figure out that you are tackling multiple weaknesses in the pursuit to tackle one.

Here are a few organizational methods that will help you achieve these goals:

OST CHART:

***This is my personal OST chart that I made about 4 months ago and I have only shown 1 person before. It is a little embarrassing but I thought it was important to show people what I have been working towards. Shoutout to Emily S.  for showing me this, it has truly changed my life for the better***

 

Objective:

The overall end result you want for yourself (Goals)

 

Strategy:

How you will change your behavior or mindset that will allow you to make the changes necessary in your day to day life

 

Tactics:

Actual things you are going to do on a daily basis that, if completed, will allow you to achieve the strategies and eventually the objectives

 

Keep your Objective and strategies in your head and be able to recall them at any time. You never know when you are facing a tough decision or in a rut; being able to remember what you are working towards is imperative.

 

Tactics Wall Hanger (Weekly Goal Tracker):