My previous article ‘Goal-setting for 2013’ described how, by shifting our focus ‘toward’ what we do want, rather than ‘away’ from what we don’t want, our goals became more meaningful, leading to greater commitment to want to achieve them (apologies for the poor formatting if you read that post – tables seem to be a problem when uploading).

Here’s another ‘shift’ technique that helps add more motivation to your achieving your desired outcome. You can ‘stack’ this simple technique on top of your goal-setting strategy. You can apply this simple technique to all goals in life – stopping smoking, losing weight, starting a business etc.

As most of us have found, it’s often that first step to achieving our desired outcome or goal that’s the hardest. Why? Fear. Fear of failure, embarrassment, ridicule, or just the unknown.

We are driven by two forces:

Fear – driving us away from failure or embarrassment (avoidance and procrastination)

Desire – driving us towards pleasure, success and achievement (inspiring)

If your fear of failure or embarrassment overpowers your desire to succeed, it will hold you back.  If you allow this overpowering fear to prevail, you will remain static and achieve nothing.

So let’s say you’re having problems taking that first step – leaving that dead-end job, starting a small business venture to boost your income or clear your debts, start studying again, moving home – but your head is just full of doubt and apprehension. Sound familiar?

Well, now ask yourself the following questions:

If I do nothing, what does that look like for me in 5, 10, 20 years from now?

What if I’m stuck here forever? 

How does that make me feel?

How does that make you feel?  Probably quite a negative experience, right?

This is the consequence of you not taking action!

So there’s going to be more pain and misery if you don’t take action, than if you do!  Now remember I said fear is a driver? You can’t get rid of the fear, but would it not be better to turn it into fear of not achieving, instead?

By associating fear with consequence of inaction rather than possible consequence of action, we create a positive shift, turning that fear into a positive force that helps drive us towards what we do want, rather than away.  It just requires a simple shift in focus.

This ‘away-from-towards’ strategy provides greater motivation than just fear or desire alone, it’s like flicking a turbo switch that just propels you faster to achievement.

So next time you’re experiencing doubts about taking that first step, just apply this simple mind-set shift, and notice how it changes the way you feel about taking that first step now.

Make sure your goals are clear, SMART and written down!

Remember, nothing is ever going to change unless you do something, so do something!

‘Imperfect action is better than perfect in-action’ (Harry S. Truman)