The Secret To Reaching Your Goals? Share Them With The World!

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Communication and growth are two undoubtedly positive goals of many people – both professionally and personally. However, too often these two concepts end up at odds with one another. Too much time communicating and not enough time doing – no distinguishable growth. Too much time doing and not enough time communicating – your growth is shaky and unstable with no foundation for success.

Finding the perfect balance between these two important goals is not easy, and often unique to every situation. One solution that many are trying – and succeeding with – is to incorporate these two goals from the start. In other words, if you want to grow, tell the world. Why? Simple: you’ll be really motivated to tell the world you succeeded (or really embarrassed to tell the world you failed).

A small but strong example, which I vow to try starting today, can be found in the challenge taken by Felipe Matos, earning him an article on Business Insider. The challenge is to wake up at 4:30am for 21 consecutive work days. The goal is personal growth and increased productivity. The motivation is your public communication of this goal.

Communicating your goals for growth publicly can accomplish many things for you or your company.

• It holds you accountable not just to yourself or a small group, but rather a larger entity. This increases accountability and heightens your motivation (especially if you happen to be an over-competitive freak like me).
• People will talk about it! You can gain valuable feedback from friends, family, colleagues, or even strangers. Even when you receive negative reactions to your communication, it is an opportunity to evaluate, learn, and refine your goal.
• You will be perceived as transparent. Rather than weirding people out by coming into the office at 4:30am unexplained or offending someone by pushing an internal deadline or goal they have no awareness of, by communicating your goals for growth publicly you help create your own network of backing and support.

I would argue that without the public declaration of his goal, Felipe Matos would’ve found his challenge infinitely harder, perhaps not even finishing at all. Whether individual or cooperation, personal or professional, publicly communicating your goals is key to achieving stable and sustainable positive growth. D.C. sunrises here I come! 4:30am… 21 days… wish me luck, y’all!

#21earlydays #dayzero #publicgoals