Comments on: Achieving Goals by Improving Your Character http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/ Personal Development for Smart People Sat, 09 May 2009 21:45:19 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: LiveWorkBalance » Blog Archive » Setting the scene: Playing the part http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/comment-page-1/#comment-63097 LiveWorkBalance » Blog Archive » Setting the scene: Playing the part Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:11:10 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/#comment-63097 [...] So, the script tells you what you’re supposed to do, and you know why the character wants to do it, but how are you supposed to do it? A good actor needs to take a combination of instructions, like Enter stage left and a description of what’s to happen in the scene and figure out the specifics. Do they enter with pomp and flair, or do they slink on stage, hiding in the shadows? The key to answering this question lies in another question. “What would so-and-so do?” Steve Pavlina has a great article about this, and I’d highly recommend you read it, but to quickly paraphrase, by asking what a person who has a certain trait would do in this situation, you can identify where you might need to improve. To take that a step further, you might even discover the actions required. As Gretchin Rubin posted some time back, a great way to change your feelings, or in this case, to gain some of the traits of the character you’re trying to play, act how you would like to feel. This is also Commandment Number Three on her list of Twelve Commandments for her Happiness Project. Through consistently and consciously choosing the actions your character would choose, you can eventually internalize the character, so that you can become them. [...] [...] So, the script tells you what you’re supposed to do, and you know why the character wants to do it, but how are you supposed to do it? A good actor needs to take a combination of instructions, like Enter stage left and a description of what’s to happen in the scene and figure out the specifics. Do they enter with pomp and flair, or do they slink on stage, hiding in the shadows? The key to answering this question lies in another question. “What would so-and-so do?” Steve Pavlina has a great article about this, and I’d highly recommend you read it, but to quickly paraphrase, by asking what a person who has a certain trait would do in this situation, you can identify where you might need to improve. To take that a step further, you might even discover the actions required. As Gretchin Rubin posted some time back, a great way to change your feelings, or in this case, to gain some of the traits of the character you’re trying to play, act how you would like to feel. This is also Commandment Number Three on her list of Twelve Commandments for her Happiness Project. Through consistently and consciously choosing the actions your character would choose, you can eventually internalize the character, so that you can become them. [...]

]]> By: Any Progress is Still Progress « Pornography and Masturbation Addiction Help http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/comment-page-1/#comment-51743 Any Progress is Still Progress « Pornography and Masturbation Addiction Help Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:33:35 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/#comment-51743 [...] Another thing to remember is you need to focus on your goals and not just the result of your goals. What I mean by this is I wanted freedom from pornography more than anything and that’s all I thought about. This was not a goal, it was a result of a lot of small goals. I would always set this goal but it would always seem so far away and I would get discouraged and give up easily. Freedom from pornography or whatever addiction is your target but not the goals you need to start with. Break it down into small, achievable goals. You need these to gain confidenc and keep progressing otherwise you feel like you’re getting nowhere. For example, a realistic goal of mine was to be completely free from my pornography addiction in six months. Because this was such a difficult thing to overcome I had to break it down into days and mark my calendar. Once I passed a month, even though I didn’t keep all my one day goals, I committed or made a goal to do better the second month. Like I said before, you need to have and celebrate the success of smaller goals to get the momentum going. You don’t get a four year college degree by just contrentrating on the end result of holding that diploma. Yes, that is your target, but you break it down into semesters and weeks or even days you need to study. Break it down to small manageable goals even if it means breaking it down to hours. This way you are not overwhelmed but instead moving right along. Always reward your self in some way for reaching a goal even if it is a small reward like telling yourself “good job buddy” Steve Pavlina has some interesting insights on goals as well. [...] [...] Another thing to remember is you need to focus on your goals and not just the result of your goals. What I mean by this is I wanted freedom from pornography more than anything and that’s all I thought about. This was not a goal, it was a result of a lot of small goals. I would always set this goal but it would always seem so far away and I would get discouraged and give up easily. Freedom from pornography or whatever addiction is your target but not the goals you need to start with. Break it down into small, achievable goals. You need these to gain confidenc and keep progressing otherwise you feel like you’re getting nowhere. For example, a realistic goal of mine was to be completely free from my pornography addiction in six months. Because this was such a difficult thing to overcome I had to break it down into days and mark my calendar. Once I passed a month, even though I didn’t keep all my one day goals, I committed or made a goal to do better the second month. Like I said before, you need to have and celebrate the success of smaller goals to get the momentum going. You don’t get a four year college degree by just contrentrating on the end result of holding that diploma. Yes, that is your target, but you break it down into semesters and weeks or even days you need to study. Break it down to small manageable goals even if it means breaking it down to hours. This way you are not overwhelmed but instead moving right along. Always reward your self in some way for reaching a goal even if it is a small reward like telling yourself “good job buddy” Steve Pavlina has some interesting insights on goals as well. [...]

]]> By: Goal Motivation: Just Do It! | Ian Fernando http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/comment-page-1/#comment-47587 Goal Motivation: Just Do It! | Ian Fernando Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:19:08 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/#comment-47587 [...] You most likely have. Motivating yourself to accomplish your goal is the beginning of changing your character. You stop watching TV to complete your task, that’s  change of character; from a couch potato to a goal oriented person. I enjoyed this portion of Steve Pavlinas‘ blog: For example, suppose you want to become more successful in your career, and you set a goal to reach a certain position. Maybe the main reason you haven’t yet reached that position is that your character attributes are out of sync with it. [...] [...] You most likely have. Motivating yourself to accomplish your goal is the beginning of changing your character. You stop watching TV to complete your task, that’s  change of character; from a couch potato to a goal oriented person. I enjoyed this portion of Steve Pavlinas‘ blog: For example, suppose you want to become more successful in your career, and you set a goal to reach a certain position. Maybe the main reason you haven’t yet reached that position is that your character attributes are out of sync with it. [...]

]]> By: Frugalist » Blog Archive » Why Live Frugally? 15 Ways Frugality Makes You Happier, Healthier, and Sexier http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/comment-page-1/#comment-33367 Frugalist » Blog Archive » Why Live Frugally? 15 Ways Frugality Makes You Happier, Healthier, and Sexier Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:02:16 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/#comment-33367 [...] Overcome Greed We all feel it at times, don’t we? Your boss gives you a raise, but you were hoping for more. The waiter brings the dessert out, but you’d prefer a larger slice of cake. Even if your greedy side is a small one, you need to overcome it, as it only sets you up for disappointment. Frugal living isn’t just about saving money, it is about setting goals and actually achieving them. The more you want and the more you spend, the more you will be disappointed when greed takes over your life. So, spend conservatively and the little things will make you happy once again. You will, in kind, take control of your money, your health and your love life. [...] [...] Overcome Greed We all feel it at times, don’t we? Your boss gives you a raise, but you were hoping for more. The waiter brings the dessert out, but you’d prefer a larger slice of cake. Even if your greedy side is a small one, you need to overcome it, as it only sets you up for disappointment. Frugal living isn’t just about saving money, it is about setting goals and actually achieving them. The more you want and the more you spend, the more you will be disappointed when greed takes over your life. So, spend conservatively and the little things will make you happy once again. You will, in kind, take control of your money, your health and your love life. [...]

]]> By: Raymond L. Burton - The Happy Soul » 16 Secrets Of Success From A Soldier http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/comment-page-1/#comment-27514 Raymond L. Burton - The Happy Soul » 16 Secrets Of Success From A Soldier Thu, 22 Mar 2007 04:23:15 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/#comment-27514 [...] You know that really is the bottom line. Anything you worry about is just a challenge to overcome. If it cannot be overcome or accepted, your probably dead and dont have to worry about it any way. If this kind of thinking doesnt ring true for you, then you need to read more. I would suggest Steve Pavlina’s blog on personal development. [...] [...] You know that really is the bottom line. Anything you worry about is just a challenge to overcome. If it cannot be overcome or accepted, your probably dead and dont have to worry about it any way. If this kind of thinking doesnt ring true for you, then you need to read more. I would suggest Steve Pavlina’s blog on personal development. [...]

]]> By: What I’m Going to do for Pants? :: Hack the pretty boy http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/comment-page-1/#comment-21776 What I’m Going to do for Pants? :: Hack the pretty boy Sat, 10 Feb 2007 17:37:10 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/#comment-21776 [...] I like the ideas behind of Achieving Goals by Improving Your Character, but I think it’s backwards. You set and accomplish goals to improve your character. Probably RT would be a good basis for keeping up with things. [...] [...] I like the ideas behind of Achieving Goals by Improving Your Character, but I think it’s backwards. You set and accomplish goals to improve your character. Probably RT would be a good basis for keeping up with things. [...]

]]> By: Time Management TIPS « What would happen if… http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/comment-page-1/#comment-21577 Time Management TIPS « What would happen if… Mon, 05 Feb 2007 19:07:18 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/#comment-21577 [...] Plan Your Day Achieving Goals by Improving Your Character How to Stop Procrastinating Simplify Your Life [...] [...] Plan Your Day Achieving Goals by Improving Your Character How to Stop Procrastinating Simplify Your Life [...]

]]> By: jeffoverip.com » Achieving Goals by Improving Your Character http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/comment-page-1/#comment-21534 jeffoverip.com » Achieving Goals by Improving Your Character Sun, 04 Feb 2007 23:06:08 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/#comment-21534 [...] This is an interesting post. I’ve had ideas like this myself but haven’t done much with them. Perhaps it’s time. [...] [...] This is an interesting post. I’ve had ideas like this myself but haven’t done much with them. Perhaps it’s time. [...]

]]> By: Engaging the Disquiet » Blog Archive » Resource rpundup for the week of January 8th http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/comment-page-1/#comment-20407 Engaging the Disquiet » Blog Archive » Resource rpundup for the week of January 8th Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:08:25 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/#comment-20407 [...] Steve Pavlina writes, “suppose you want to become more successful in your career, and you set a goal to reach a certain position. Maybe the main reason you haven’t yet reached that position is that your character attributes are out of sync with it. Perhaps you aren’t disciplined enough, confident enough, or resourceful enough to get there. Learn how to achieve your goals while improving your character. [...] [...] Steve Pavlina writes, “suppose you want to become more successful in your career, and you set a goal to reach a certain position. Maybe the main reason you haven’t yet reached that position is that your character attributes are out of sync with it. Perhaps you aren’t disciplined enough, confident enough, or resourceful enough to get there. Learn how to achieve your goals while improving your character. [...]

]]> By: Personal Development Ideas Blog http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/comment-page-1/#comment-20358 Personal Development Ideas Blog Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:07:57 +0000 http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/01/achieving-goals-by-improving-your-character/#comment-20358 <strong>Great Goal Setting Articles</strong> I’ve read quite a few absolutely great articles on goal setting in the past week or so, and would like to present a short list of them for your and my own future reference. ... Great Goal Setting Articles

I’ve read quite a few absolutely great articles on goal setting in the past week or so, and would like to present a short list of them for your and my own future reference.

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