Kevin Bemel ·
Here’s How to Weather the Storms that Impede Your Success
A couple of weeks ago here in Southern California, we had an unusual occurrence – it rained! It's no cliché that Los Angelenos freak out when they have to drive in wet weather. We rarely have to. So, accidents increase and a lot of people miss out on their plans.
Most days I run at lunchtime. Yet despite habitually seeing me in my running clothes, two people questioned my sanity as I headed out to jog in the rain. I told them both the same thing – All that would happen is I would get wet.
Looming larger for me is my goal to earn a platinum medal in The President’s Challenge Program by the time I am 60. Doing so requires earning 1,000,000 points. (If you are interested in joining my 3 Pillars of Fitness group click here). At my pace, I get 90 to 100 points per mile so I have about 7400 more miles to go. That works out to about 25 miles a week. I cannot afford to let rain get in my way.
Hence the caption on the picture: If a goal is important enough you will have to find a way to weather the storms. Here is how to deal with the most common ones:
- People telling you that you should not or cannot do it. Consider the source of the criticism. Does the person truly understand your goal? Does he have your best interest at heart? Has he ever achieved something like what you are aiming at? If the answer to any of these is no reject the criticism.
- Your plan is not working. The road to achieving a goal is not straight. While you may see the end when you start, it is likely to get obscured many times along the way. Rarely is an airliner headed directly for its city of destination. The pilot (well probably the autopilot) makes constant course corrections. You are not a failure because your original plan did not work. The key is to work your plan while evaluating its effectiveness. Be flexible so you do not waste time on fruitless effort.
- You hit a major life setback. Sometimes the unexpected will prevent you from pursuing your goal. What may have been your primary focus may have to change. But that does not mean you have to give up your goal forever. Before setting it on the back burner, make sure you have taken notes of your progress to date so you do not have to re-do work. Then set a date to re-evaluate when you will begin working on it again. I originally thought I would earn my second masters degree in two to three years. But going from active to reserve navy duty meant having to delay it. Now my goal is to complete it in six years. C’est la vie!
If the rain is coming down hard, before going out you put on rain gear. Especially if you live in a rainy place, it is habitual. Such automatic preparation is what you need to reach your goals and be successful. Do not wait for the storm to hit. Anticipate objections and obstacles. Figure out ways to handle them quickly and effectively.
By the way, who cares if you are drenched by the time you reach the winner’s circle!
What is your biggest hurdle to success?
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