The “how to” doesn’t matter nearly as much as this one thing you’re probably missing

(<3-minute read time)

Often, I hear my clients tell me that want to do things like…..

Make more money 

Be happier 

Travel more 

Work less 

Increase their self-confidence 

And then they follow up that desire with the poisonous thought:

“But, I don’t know how”

When we tell ourselves “I don’t know” it is always a lie.  You can read more about that here because that isn’t what we are talking about today.  Today, we are going to look at the fact that too often we unnecessarily place great value in knowing HOW we will do something before we ever do it.      

Here are two scenarios to demonstrate:  

Scenario #1:  I recently registered for the longest race I will have ever run so far, a 15k.  When I think about running this race I do not wonder about HOW I will do it.  

Scenario #2: I have some pretty intense business goals that I am pursuing this year.  When I think about these #2019moonshotgoals I often start thinking (and worrying) about HOW I will do it. 

Both of these scenarios involve me accomplishing a goal I have never done before.  Yet, in one situation I find myself wrapped up in the details of the “how” and the other just seems like a done deal. 

Why is that?

It’s because of my beliefs around me actually accomplishing the goal.  

When I think about Scenario #1, the 15k, I get an image in my mind of me at the finish line at the race.  I see myself all sweaty, feeling tired and proud. There are lots of other people around and they’re all sweaty, tired and proud of themselves too.  I envision an awesome day!      

When I think about Scenario #2, my business goals, all I see is them in their current, unfinished state.  Then I start to think about how I can change that and questioning if I even can change it in the time I have left.  This demotivating vision is a symptom of my doubt.  

Whenever we’re not fully believing that we can and will achieve a goal, we get all caught up in the mechanics of HOW to make it happen. 

Our brain wants to see the plan and then, if it decides the plan is do-able, it becomes willing to believe the goal is possible.

On the flipside when we believe for sure that something is going to happen we just don’t worry about how we will do it.  

Test me on this.  Think of something in your life that hasn’t happened yet but you just know for sure it is going to.  I’m willing to bet you haven’t spent much time worrying about how to make it happen.    

For the other areas where you are feeling less certain, the solution is to work on your belief and not the “how to” plan.  Once you really truly believe you can do it, the “how to” naturally follows.    

Our results are a direct reflection of what we believe.  Changing our beliefs can literally change everything. Need a hand examining and changing some of yours?  Let’s chat, just click here to schedule a free, 30-minute discovery session.