Effective Goal Setting Can Help You Get Off the Merry-Go-Round

A little girl, no more than five years old, slowly stepped onto a merry-go-round at her local fair held each June. It was easy to see that she wasn't quite sure about the ride, but with her mother at her side she decided to give it a try.

Big mistake.

It didn't take long for her to realize that she did not enjoy the ride. Not only did it scare her, but it also kept her from the other games she wanted to play. She would get more and more upset each time they passed by the isles of games and toys.

Needless to say, she wanted off the ride. The operator was quick to notice the situation and tried to stop the ride, but the controls weren't working properly; the ride had to finish its cycle.

Around and around they went, stuck in a loop that kept them from where they wanted to go. The little girl sobbed in her mother's arms until it came to a slow stop. The cycle was over and off they went to bigger and better things.

What does this girl's experience have to do with motivation? Everything.

In essence, millions of people from all walks of life and every country in the world are trapped on a never-ending merry-go-round. Unable to stop the ride, or perhaps even unaware that they are on the ride at all, the motivation to change and improve life can't be found.

Chances are extremely high that you are also trapped on the merry-go-round - and you may not even know it.

Real Life Routines

Samantha Henderson first became trapped a year after she graduated from college. She had so many hopes and dreams about her future, an endless list of goals that she was going to achieve. Samantha was ready to take the world by storm, but her dreams were cut short.

It started slowly at first, barely noticeable. She got into a groove so to speak. Sam found a small apartment and a full-time job - it wasn't her dream job to any degree, but it paid the bills. More importantly, it was only temporary.

The temporary job soon became a permanent position.

After that 'temporary' job she got into another routine. Sam would watch television for a few hours, eat a late dinner, and go to bed. This was also a 'short-term' thing. It would all change as soon as she took care of a few things.

The short-term routine soon became a long-term pattern.

In each and every area of her life, the temporary fixes became permanent fixtures. The hopes she once had for an exciting, fulfilling life were replaced with the routine of daily life: get up, go to work, come home, repeat.

Just as the merry-go-round kept the little girl from the things she wanted, Samantha's personal pattern did just the same. Around and around she went, unable to break free and go after the things that truly mattered.

The Myth

I know what you're probably thinking; it's what everyone thinks...

'That's not going to happen to me. I'm different. I just have to take care of some things first. I'll do the things I've always wanted to do eventually.'

Think again.

Routine is not only dangerous and prevalent, it's also amazingly powerful; the best of intentions are oftentimes not good enough to break free of its grip.

Routine is like a snowstorm. It starts off harmless enough, but in no time at all you have a blanket of white bringing the city to a standstill. Each day you let routine run the show is another obstacle standing between you and the things you want in life.

The Solution

You have to put a stop to the negative or damaging routines in your life that eat away at your time, energy, and life. I know of many people who have let routine run their entire life, and I'm sure you know a few as well.

You may think you are different, but if you don't do something about routine now, it may end up running the remainder of your days.

Making a conscious choice to stop running on autopilot is the first step, but many more need to be taken in order to discover what you want and achieve it. To help you on your way, we have compiled over one-thousand ideas, quick tips, and techniques to help you get and stay motivated to change your life each and every day.

Take control of your life - don't let routine do it for you. All of the high hopes and small improvements you think about are possible, but you have to make them happen. Let today be the day you put an end to routine and a beginning to success.

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Jason Michael Gracia
Motivation123
http://www.motivation123.com.

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