Meet Joanne, a dedicated working woman just like you.
She'd always been told that setting rigid goals was the key to success, but found herself constantly stressed and overwhelmed trying to meet these arbitrary targets. One day, she decided to try something different.
Joanne started by setting an intention instead of a goal. Rather than saying "I need to lose 10lbs this month," she simply told herself, "I want to feel healthy and energised." This shift allowed her to focus on overall well-being rather than a number on the scale. She applied this to her exercise routine too, setting an intention to "walk more" instead of forcing herself to hit the gym every day. Soon, she found herself enjoying 10-minute brisk walks at home, five times a week. If she missed a day, she didn't beat herself up – she just extended her walk to 15 minutes the next day.
Next, Joanne experimented with setting deadlines. She remembered how effective this had been during her student days, so she applied it to her work projects. Starting from the due date and working backwards, she created a timeline that broke big tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. This approach helped her stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.
As she continued her journey, Joanne discovered the power of finding her natural flow. She realised she was a morning person, bursting with energy and creativity before noon. Armed with this knowledge, she rearranged her schedule to tackle important tasks early in the day. Now, she starts work at 5 AM, powering through her to-do list by early afternoon. This leaves her evenings free for family time or late meetings if needed.
Joanne also started using the review technique. Instead of constantly pushing forward, she'd take time to look back and appreciate how far she'd come. Comparing her current self to where she was a year ago helped her see progress that wasn't always obvious day-to-day. This practice boosted her confidence and motivation.
Perhaps the most transformative change came when Joanne redefined what success meant to her. She realised that true fulfilment came from having meaningful conversations and helping others, not from attending countless networking events or chasing arbitrary metrics. This shift allowed her to focus on quality interactions that brought her joy and led to genuine connections.
Finally, Joanne learned to identify and prioritise what truly mattered in her life. She recognised that she couldn't do everything, and that was okay. By focusing on her top priorities – like her daily walks and promptly responding to client emails – she found a sense of balance and accomplishment.
Through these changes, Joanne discovered that success didn't have to mean constant struggle. By finding methods that worked for her unique personality and lifestyle, she was able to achieve her goals while feeling less stressed and more fulfilled.
Remember, like Joanne, you too can find alternative paths to success that align with your natural rhythms and values. Don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. Your journey to a more balanced and satisfying life might just begin with letting go of traditional goal-setting methods and embracing these more flexible approaches.
The Review Technique
- Reflect on where you were a year ago.
- What progress have you made that you're proud of?
- This will help you move away from focussing on the negative and uncover the positive thing(s) that have gone well for you, so that you can either use them again or build on the success they helped you achieve.
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