Clearer, Closer, Better summary

Imagine setting off on your summer holiday. Would you leave without making sure that you’d secured your visa as well as booked your flights and accommodation? Certainly not. Similarly, preparation is key when you set out on a journey to achieve a significant goal.

The key message here is: Materialize the goals you want to achieve.

Ever heard the motto “No pain, no gain?” It became famous in the early 1980s when Jane Fonda, the actress-turned-fitness guru, encouraged her followers to keep working through the aches that come with exercising. Good results require effort. But how do you know that you’re putting in the required amount of effort?

The key message here is: Keeping yourself accountable to your efforts ensures a greater likelihood of reaching your goals.

Ever walked out of a supermarket with unhealthy treats you hadn’t intended to buy? You’re not alone! Supermarkets deliberately stack chocolate bars and other temptations at easily visible points at the check-out. That’s because what falls within your line of sight is what you often deem as most important.

The key message here is: Knowing where to direct your attention can help keep you focused on your goal.

Would you agree that those having a positive view of themselves accomplish more than those who see themselves negatively? That is quite a common perception.

In fact, in a study of over 400 people in the United States, 95 percent of participants held that opinion. But according to scientists, that view is wrong. Think about it. Does having a positive regard for yourself improve the quality of your work? No! Similarly, promoting high self-esteem in children does not lead to better grades in school.

You may have heard the motto, YOLO – you only live once. It became popular among young people after the Canadian rapper Drake used it in his 2011 album, Take Care. That phrase urges a person to live in the moment and throw all caution to the wind. But is that really the best course when working towards a significant goal?

The key message here is: Broadening your focus helps you make decisions that better align with your long-term objectives.

What was your dream job while growing up? Did you have to give it up? It may have been initially disappointing, but knowing when to move on opens you up to more achievable and realistic goals. The truth is, success does not have to look like what you imagined at the outset.

The key message here is: A broad focus helps you know when to let go of accomplishing a goal you had set your heart on.

Multitasking is in high demand. In the first month of 2019 alone, Monster.com, the global leader in online recruiting, posted more than 300,000 job descriptions that sought someone who could effectively multitask. But actually, evidence shows that multitasking is damaging to your long-term goals and impairs your judgment.

The key message here is: A broad focus can reduce the appeal of multitasking.