Is This Why It Takes So Long to Achieve Your Dreams?

Over the years of teaching tens of thousands of people on three different continents, I have discovered one reason why some people achieve their success quickly and why others never achieve their goals.

The secret I am about to reveal to you has the potential to transform your life.

In my opinion, it can also minimise your stress because it will make you more efficient, so you will get more done in less time. The secret lies in your ability to differentiate between a process goal and an outcome goal.

Susan’s Story

Susan was attending one of my seminars when I asked her to read out loud what she would like to get out of the training. Looking down at her notes, she read from the page, “I would like to learn more about how I can make money, so that I would have the skills to become wealthy.”

Turning to look directly at her, I simply asked, “Is that a process goal or an outcome goal?”

Her face looked puzzled, “what do you mean?

“A process goal is something you set that will create a process, whereas an outcome goal is something that gives you a desired outcome. For example, if I said to you that I would like to learn how to lose weight, that would be a process goal; however, if I said to you that I wanted to lose five kilos in three weeks, then that would be an outcome goal.”

Her face cleared and a small smile appeared at the corners of her mouth as she replied, “I see. So what I have really set is a process goal.”

“Yes,” I replied, “Saying that you want to learn more about how to make money is a process goal because you are committed to the process of learning; however, there is no real commitment to the actual outcome of making money.”

I let her take in the information before firing off another question. “Does it take a lot of time for you to manifest your goals?”

Nodding her head in the affirmative, she looked up and said, “Now I know why it takes so long!”

 The Three Types of Business Owners

In terms of running a business, there are generally three types of people:

1. The Strugglers – These people just run around in reaction to what life and business throws at them. 
2. The Organised – These people are organised and work through their list or diary and achieve a lot, but they don’t necessarily make a lot of money.
3. The Wealthy – Like The Organized, these people work through their list also; however, the massive difference is that their list contains things that make money.

All three people are driven by entirely different outcomes. They may work the same hours, but the result is completely different.

People who achieve great outcomes usually have clear outcome goals.

The key is to begin with the end in mind of exactly what you want.

For example, if you wanted to learn how to paint, then discover what desired outcome you want. Is it to have fun, to create relaxation for yourself or to make a masterpiece? All three goals have different outcomes. 

If you are not clear on your outcome, it is difficult to arrive at a finite destination.  And, if you do not have a finite destination, you are more likely to increase your stress, which decreases your ability to be successful.

 A Lesson from Nelson Mandela

I remember seeing a documentary where they interviewed the head negotiator for the South African government during the final months of Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment.

The negotiator said he often felt that the government was unclear about what they really wanted; however, he said that Nelson Mandela was extremely clear about what he wanted – freedom for himself and his people. He believed it was this clarity of direction that led to Nelson Mandela eventually becoming the new president.

The key is to determine exactly what outcome you want, and then go for that.

Having mixed with countless high achievers, I can tell you that in virtually every case, they possessed this one ability in spades.

By Brendan Nichols

Brendan Nichols has the audacity to believe you should work a little for a lot and shows his clients how he averages three months holiday a year. He is financially independent and a best selling author, published by the giant publisher, Harper Collins. He has appeared in the media dozens of times and about a million people watched an exclusive ABC television documentary on him. He has trained tens of thousands of people, on three continents. He originally started from nothing and had several successful businesses before he was an educator. One of these businesses was a highly successful Real Estate project marketing company, where he launched major campaigns.Brendan’s specialty is showing you the steps to make more money and have an amazing life in the process.To get more information, go to www.brendannichols.com.