"Thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become habits, habits become character, character becomes destiny." -- unknown author
When I first read this quote, it resonated with me. I was blown away at how perfectly it summarizes the steps to human transformation in just 15 words.
However, each one of these steps is monumental in the process ... and not always easy to accomplish. If any of these fundamental steps are left out, transformation cannot occur.
As we create our own course to transformation, it is important to break these larger steps down into their respective doable steps and apply them to our own lives.
Here's the good news: Get past the first three steps and the rest is smooth sailing.
Here's what we need to do:
1. Turn our thoughts into words
2. Turn our words into actions
3. Turn our actions into habits
Our habits over time become our character, and our character over time leads to our destiny.
Today, I just want to tackle the first step -- because without this, the journey can't even begin.
Thoughts Become Words
In my last blog, I shared with you the importance of the goal-setting process and how to create a SMART goal. This is the pivotal opportunity to put your thoughts into words -- to begin your transformation.
I'm going to give you some tough love here. Keep in mind that my intention is to push you to choose and create the most incredible life for yourself.
If you read last week's blog and wrote down your SMART goal, then you are ready for the next step! However, if you found yourself reading the words and thinking about your goals to yourself without writing them down, you have not yet begun your transformation. Remember, your thoughts will do you no good just sitting in your head. It's time to ask yourself an important question: Why is it so difficult to turn our thoughts into words?
The answer is simple. When we write down our goals, we are making a commitment to ourselves. Commitment to a goal has one of two outcomes: success or failure. When our commitments are out in the open for the world to see, it makes us vulnerable to failure. However, it also creates the opportunity for success.
As humans, one of our greatest fears is failure (and "looking bad"). It is engrained in each and every one of us. Sometimes the fear of looking bad to ourselves is great enough to deter us from new ventures. When other people are informed of our commitments, it increases our fear of failure exponentially.
However, that fear of failure can hold us back from living. If you have spent your life protecting yourself from the pain of failure and looking bad, it is time to stop existing and start living. Yes, it requires you to be vulnerable, but it is the first step to having the life you want to live. What are you waiting for?
This is what you need to do:
1. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and write down your SMART goal.
2. If you want to make sure that you are truly accountable, share your goal with others.
Keep in mind that I'm terrified of looking bad in front of others too! It is something that all of us have to work on. One thing that helps me, is to remember that in my SMART goals, the "A" stands for "Attainable" and the "R" stands for "Realistic." This means that you need to shrink the goal to a point where you know you can fulfill it every day. When we create attainable and realistic goals, our chances of failure are greatly diminished.
Now go forth and create your SMART goal!
Be Strong,
Chris