Another year, another goal.

Didn’t you do this a year ago…

Funny how that works.

Every year we swear up and down “This is the year!”

And to some degree you are correct. This is in fact “a year”.

But you didn’t quite use it as planned.

You wanted to lose weight, get a new job, find the love of your life.

Instead you watched a lot of TV…

If your life is going to change, then you have to change.

So… Why is this year any different?

There is no “secret answer”

It was about 3 years ago.

I was unhappy. I had followed a career path that did 2 things:

1. Impress women – “Hi my name’s Izzy. I teach children in poverty stricken communities.”
2. Be depressed and extremely anxious

Though, it’s always nice to impress the ladies, the depression and anxiety didn’t bode to well with my soul.

I was at a crossroads in my life. I wanted to make changes but didn’t know how.

I was in search of a super secret answer. The answer that would guarantee I would achieve all my goals!

I wanted a quick fix that guaranteed happiness, wealth, and incredible success.

Now is the appropriate time to quote Napoleon Hill:

You don’t get something for nothing.

But there I was, going against all laws of the universe: trying to get something for nothing.

I was fighting a losing battle… To this day the universe is still undefeated.

Progress Towards Goals Are Not Black or White.

To some degree I knew what I wanted.

I wanted to be happy. I wanted to feel at peace.

We don’t just wake up one day and magically become happy.

It takes time. Inch by inch. Day by day.

It simply comes down to doing the necessary work each day.

Notice I used the word “necessary”.

We all are vulnerable to wasting days, months and years doing things that give us zero progress towards our goals.

Turns out there is a very simple process that guarantees you accelerate progress towards your goals…

Analyze Your Progress Like a Scientist

What if everyday you stepped back and analyzed your day?

You studied your life like a coach studies game tape. You dissect your actions like a scientist.

What if everyday you could look at your life and analyze it to determine what worked, what didn’t work, and what changes you have to make.

… …

It turns out you can, and it’s really simple .

The Three Questions That Gaurantee You Will Achieve Your Goals and How to Use Them

Over the past year of my life I have implemented a process that has completely revolutionized my life. It has allowed me to accelerate my progress towards my goals at a rapid pace.

Today I will run through that process with you .

Now, before you go through this process I am assuming that you already have some specific goals. If you are struggling to figure out what you want to do with your life check out this post.

Okay, let’s jump in!

It all starts with 3 very simple questions.

The 3 Questions That Will Change Your Life

1. What did I do today to move towards my major goal?
2. What did I do today that prevented me from achieving my major goal?
3. What new things must I do to achieve my major goal?

Questions are powerful – but only if you take the time to answer them. Below is the exact process I have used to address these lovely questions .

I love it so much that if it were a human being I would take it behind the middle school and… (*censored out of respect for small children*)

How to Implement the three questions.

1Step 1: Identify A Tool To Write Your Thoughts.

You can use a computer, a journal, a notebook, a sketchpad even a napkin (not recommended). I like to use a journal.

Really, it doesn’t matter what you use. You just need to capture your thoughts with the written word .

Step 2: Each night answer The 3 questions (in writing!)

Each night before I hit the hay, I write a quick answer to each question. I like to write them in bullet point form. It takes about 10 minutes more or less.

I list everything I did that moved me towards my goals. Example: I studied the Kihon Dosa for 1 hour (Basic forms in Aikido). I list everything I did that prevented me from achieving my goals. Example: I perused Facebook for too long. I list new behaviors I can do to move towards my dream. Normally I only list 1 behavior. Writing down too many can be overwhelming. I always try to choose a behavior that I can implement the next day. Example: Read “Angry men in White Pajamas” (This is a book about Aikido).

Do you see why this is powerful?

By answering the questions I immediately know: What I need to keep doing. What I need to stop doing. What I need to start doing.

Step 3: Establish a time for weekly reflection.

Each week on Monday morning I sit down and analyze my previous week. I look over my journal. I identify 3 specific things:

1. Which behaviors helped me move towards my goals.
2. Which behaviors prevented me from achieving my goals.
3. Which new behaviors I need to start doing.

After I look over my journal (reading all the entries from each day) I commit to add 1 new behavior this upcoming week.

Every week it changes.

I take this 1 new behavior and write it in my journal.

For example one week I wrote out:

“I wake up at 5am and train in the mornings.”

Step 4: Implement your planned changes.

By going through this process you will identify the key behaviors that move you towards your goals.

It won’t do a darn thing if you don’t implement it. Take the new behavior you chose (from Step 3) and start doing it!

It will feel awesome to take action towards your big goal.

Step 5: Rinse, Recycle and Repeat.

Every week I go through this process. Now, it’s second nature. I naturally run through my daily activities and do an analysis.

Imagine what your life would be like if you constantly made progress towards your goals?

It would be incredible!

That is the power of this process, it guarantees that you are constantly improving.

For The Comments.

What new behaviors will you start doing this week to move towards your major goals?