Setting goals is the best way to get yourself to where you want to be in life, but this means different things to everyone. There are people who set small goals, hit them, and then call it good. This is wonderful. However, if you really want to get to where you want to be in life and achieve things beyond your wildest dreams, you must start setting ambitious goals … the type that make you excited and uncomfortable all at once.
Michael Phelps said it best: “I think goals should never be easy, they should force you to work, even if they are uncomfortable at the time.” Having desires that push us past our limits is the only way we grow. Here are a few signs that your goals are ambitious enough.
You’re never satisfied.
What separates ambitious people from the rest? Some are comfortable doing the bare minimum to get by, and others are constantly pushing themselves to achieve greater things. Ambition is all about never being satisfied and constantly moving the goal posts. Just because there is a certain expectation of what you should achieve, doesn’t mean you can’t strive to do more.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t stop to celebrate your small wins. If you recently hit your goal of running a mile without stopping, that’s great! You should take the time to recognize that accomplishment, whether in a big way or a small one. In fact, hitting this goal should be motivation enough for you to set your next one! Be content, not satisfied.
You don’t compete with others.
As Author, Bob Goff, said, “We won’t be distracted by comparison if we’re captivated with purpose.” If your goals are ambitious enough, you aren’t going to worry about what the person next to you is doing because you’ll be so focused on your own goals. It sounds cliché, but when it comes to hitting goals, your biggest competition really is yourself.
It’s human nature to want to be the best and to compare your journey to the people around you, especially if you’re naturally competitive. There is nothing wrong with striving for excellence because you see it in others and it creates inspiration. However, in order to achieve your goals, it’s essential that you stay in your own lane and focus on what you can do to get closer to success. If you tend to struggle in this area, read this article for some tips on how to stop comparing!
You never quit.
True ambition isn’t something that can be turned on and off. It’s a deep desire to be successful, no matter the obstacles. The University of Scranton found that 92% of people don’t actually follow through with the New Year’s Resolutions they set. What’s the difference between them and the 8% who succeed? Simple. That 8% keeps going, no matter what.
Take some time to evaluate your goals. How passionate are you about completing them? Are you all the way in? Are you willing to do anything and everything to make them happen? Or are you just willing to work toward them when it’s convenient for you? Asking yourself questions like these can help you determine whether the goals you set are right for you.
Putting limitations on your potential kills your ambition, so don’t do it. Allow your goals to push you outside of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to do better than just getting by. You could be surprised at the results.
For more tips to help you become successful, read our post on the five habits of confident people.
