As I reflected on my goals over the holidays, I had to acknowledge my very marginal progress. I made some changes, but I am not where I wanted to be. So what, you may say, as long as you did something, that’s good enough. I used to believe that too. But looking back, the biggest changes in my life didn’t come from tiny steps. They came from big dreams followed by massive action.

I didn’t become a climber overnight. It took years to get to where I am now—finally able to lead long, difficult routes. Last year alone I went to Yosemite almost every single weekend between April and October. Big, audacious goals don’t come easily. They demand time, commitment, and discomfort. They often bring pain, because we are challenging ourselves in ways we never have before.

When we reach for something higher in life, incremental progress isn’t enough. Many of you have shared your goals with me recently: a committed relationship, getting fit and losing weight, finding direction after retirement, writing a book. These goals have magnitude and require big steps on an ascending ladder of challenge.

If you want your goals as badly as I want mine, I want to encourage all of us to do two things this year. These are the biggest levers that we can pull to make major changes, or ignore and stay where we are.

First: when you wake up in the morning, your brain has to think about your goal and how you’re going to move toward it. I’m very clear that this was the main reason my life stayed incremental last year. If the first thing we do each morning is reach for our phone and see what the world wants from us, we slip into reaction mode—and everything becomes harder from there. If your goal truly matters, how can you give it the attention it deserves? When something occupies your mind consistently, you will be aligned energetically with it and ideas emerge seemingly from nowhere, action can then follow, and doors will open that you didn’t even know existed.

Second: trust your goal. I’ve learned this from some of the most successful coaches —when a strong desire keeps showing up, it’s there for a reason. Honor it. Go after it. If your life keeps nudging you to write that book, it’s meant to have an impact. Otherwise, you would not be thinking about it. Last year, I coached people who walked away from their beautiful, meaningful dreams. And yet, in talking to them, I noticed that the flame never really went out. What if… I wish I had tried when I had the time… Remember that your competence, your confidence, and your courage are not present at the outset – you build them by moving forward, one decision at a time. Let fear and doubt be there, but move forward anyway.

Six, nine, twelve months from now, what will you be proud you moved toward?

I coach people who want to stop living incrementally and start moving intentionally toward what matters most to them. I’ve updated my coaching offerings HERE. If you’re ready to take the driver’s seat of your life, a discovery call is a great place to begin.

This year, I also am building a community for people who don’t just want to think about change, but want to do something about it. Join my Meetup group to stay informed about upcoming gatherings and workshops.

Warmly,
Janine