Happy Monday,

I was recently thinking about the goals I set for 2015. I am proud to say that I am on track to hit them all. I’m telling you this not to brag but to confess that perhaps I am playing it to small or to safe.

There is nothing wrong with hitting your goals. Lord knows I speak and write frequently on the subject. But I think there are times we play too small. We do so because we like comfort. As humans we are creatures of comfort. We do not want to be stretched to much because it will make us uncomfortable and that makes us nervous and fearful. Unfortunately to achieve anything truly worth while, we must push ourselves beyond our comfort zone.

The price we pay for playing it safe is a life in which we do ok, but we never reach the greatness we all have within.  The universe is an abundant place with abundant opportunities and infinite potential. The limitations we put upon our thoughts and actions results in small rewards. To think and dream big requires us to push the boundaries of our thoughts. To be willing to challenge our status quo and to set loftier goals. The cool thing is, when you step outside the zone of comfort in thought and action and dare to dream big, the rewards are significant.

So I ask you (and me) if dreaming big requires the same energy as dreaming small, why would we ever dream small?

As we begin 2016 and we are setting our goals, so lets push each other to set big goals this year. Lets think abundantly and dare to be great. The universe is waiting to reward us for stepping up and claiming the greatness within.  “It is better to dream big and miss our goals then to think small and hit them.” Marcus Aurelius

Have an abundant and inspired week,

Happy Monday,

Well it is week two of the New Year. How are you doing thus far? Are you reviewing your goals and executing your plan? Many of you are probably rolling your eyes at the process, thinking not another year of making lofty goals only to fall short.

So why is that? Well, there are many reasons but I would like to focus on one in particular and perhaps the most important, a lack of a clearly defined purpose. I can hear the groaning already. Not more about purpose? Yes, its all about purpose. The truth be told, numbers and goals specifically do not drive people. It is your purpose that drives you to achieve your goals.

A recent West Point study showed that those who had intrinsic goals, “I want to serve my country and make a difference” outperformed those with extrinsic goals, “I want to rise in the ranks and become an officer because it is prestigious.”

Goals may motivate you in the short term but they will not sustain you over time. Without a good or great reason to keep moving forward during challenges you either quit or go through the motions which eventually will result in another year of frustration and unaccomplished goals.

Please understand that this does not mean you shouldn’t measure your goals. I tell docs and their teams all the time that goals are a way to measure if you are living your purpose. When you see your patients as numbers and not as people, you are off purpose. Once your goals have been defined it is your purpose that drives you to achieving them. The greater your purpose the greater the performance.

Before you start defining your 2016 goals, define or redefine your purpose. Share it with your team and create a cross accountability. Purpose driven goals transcend any extrinsic motivator and will help you overcome any obstacle while enhancing performance that will far exceed any numbered goals.

Have an abundant and inspired week,