And the most efficient way to stay on the straight line is to focus your energy, and attention, and to practice a consistent set of actions.

What that means, is you choose thoughts, feelings, and actions that will move you closer to that goal.

Unfortunately, what really happens is we get motivated and start taking action towards our goal and we get side tracked, or the results aren't quick enough so we lose our momentum. Suddenly our line from point A to point B looks more like Lombard Street in San Francisco, a very crooked one. I think we've all spent a lot of time on this crooked road.

For example, if you have a goal to "get in shape" as many of my clients do, that's a pretty vague goal. A straight line would be to get very clear on the goal and the action steps you need to take in order to achieve it. "I want to lose 5lbs in the next 60 days by eating three healthy meals plus two nutritious snacks everyday as well as 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise, 10 minutes of stretching daily and weight lifting 3 times a week. That's a pretty clear goal (and it can get even more specific by when, where, what times, etc). ?..Many of us however, start to bargain & rationalize with ourselves "Well, I ate really healthy yesterday so I can cheat a little today." Or "I don't have time to eat healthy; I have to just grab something quick." Or "It's too cold, wet, windy, to exercise." Well, you get the point. One day we're following our plan on the straight road, the next day we've taken a detour again. 60 days later the goal has not been met.

The same holds true for all our goals, business, personal, financial, family, etc.

So, how do you stay on the straight road? - Clarity-become very clear on what it is you want to achieve. - Action steps- What action steps can you take this week that will move you closer to your goal? (You don't need to know the whole picture on how you will achieve your goal. Just take the next obvious step.) - Visualization-visualize reaching your goal, how will you feel? What will life be like once you've achieved that goal? - Motivation- You shower and brush your teeth everyday, you have to motivate yourself to achieve your goals everyday. - Acknowledgement- Notice what you are doing that is working for you to achieve your goal & give yourself a pat on the back. - Never, Never, Never, Give up!!!

Where in your life are you taking the crooked street towards a goal? What action can you take today to stay on the straight road towards your goal?

Copyright (c) 2007 Char Cooper RN, MSN, APRN