How to Embrace Your Scariest Goals and Commit Fully
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Chapter 1: Understanding Commitment to Your Goals
Tony Robbins famously stated, "If your goal doesn’t scare you, consider finding a new one." This highlights that your current aspirations should be so grand that you feel hesitant to share them with most people in your circle—not because you doubt your ability, but because you fear their critical judgment.
What many fail to realize is that goals are meant to catalyze personal transformation. The journey toward achieving your ambitions should shape you into a new version of yourself. As the architect of your aspirations, your role is to evolve into someone who naturally embodies the outcomes you desire. This necessitates a commitment to personal growth. However, clarity alone won't suffice. Awareness of what needs to be done means little if you don't take action. You must be wholeheartedly dedicated to turning your dreams into reality.
To achieve this deep commitment, three essential elements come into play. These components evolve as you progress toward and surpass each milestone, but maintaining them will guarantee your total dedication to your goals.
Section 1.1: Financial Commitment
“Financial investment heightens your dedication to your future self.” — Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Anyone who has accomplished something remarkable has reached a stage known as the point of no return. This is the moment when it becomes impossible to choose a different path or revert to a previous state. It occurs when you are so invested in your endeavors that you must see them through.
Elon Musk experienced this on Christmas Eve 2008 when Tesla Motors faced imminent bankruptcy. To avert disaster, he invested $20 million of his own money and secured an additional $20 million from investors. While this might seem trivial compared to his current wealth, at that time, Musk was under immense financial pressure. His fortune was deeply tied to his companies, and he faced liquidity challenges due to the economic downturn.
This financial commitment compelled Musk to make Tesla a success. The sunk-cost fallacy explains why: people often hesitate to abandon a course of action after making significant investments in it. The larger the investment, the more challenging it is to let go. This explains why individuals may remain in detrimental relationships—they have invested so much that they feel compelled to see it through.
You can harness this sunk-cost fallacy to your advantage. Make a substantial financial investment in the person you aspire to become. Just as Musk aimed to build one of the largest electric vehicle companies, your monetary commitment to your goal will solidify your resolve. The more significant your investment is relative to your circumstances, the stronger your commitment will be.
The first video, "5 Habits of Highly Disciplined People | Tips to Exit Your Lazy Girl Era & Change Your Life Today," outlines essential habits for developing discipline and overcoming inertia.
Section 1.2: The Power of Accountability
“Accountability fosters response-ability.” — Stephen Covey
Pearson’s law states: “When performance is measured, it improves. When performance is measured and reported, the rate of improvement accelerates.” A study has shown that sharing your commitments significantly boosts the likelihood of achieving your goals—65% when you tell someone and a staggering 95% with regular check-ins.
Feeling accountable enhances your commitment, instilling a sense of responsibility. We tend to prioritize others' expectations over our own, as letting someone down weighs more heavily on us. One of my mentors jokingly remarked, “The quickest way to become a millionaire is to have a child.” His point was that responsibility breeds accountability, which in turn drives commitment.
To amplify your accountability, start sharing your goals publicly. Regularly report your progress to someone who can keep you in check. For instance, if your goal is to earn $5,000 monthly from the Medium Partner Program, consider publishing an earnings report that includes:
- Total word count
- Articles published
- Total views
- Total reads
- Earnings
In this report, set targets for the following month. Remember, the more accountable you feel, the stronger your commitment will be.
Chapter 2: Transforming Your Identity
“It is only when you change your identity to align with your life blueprint that you will grasp why past efforts were ineffective.” — Shannon L. Alder
As you engage in an activity consistently, it begins to shape your identity and self-concept, influencing both how you view yourself and how others perceive you. This phenomenon is encapsulated in psychologist Daryl Bem's self-perception theory, which posits that individuals infer their attitudes and beliefs from observing their own behavior, thus reinforcing their sense of identity and commitment.
To deepen your commitment to daunting goals, you must act from a place of already having achieved them rather than merely striving toward them. Acting toward a goal implies that you do not yet believe you are worthy of the rewards it offers, which can lead to self-sabotage.
For instance, someone who is “trying” to be a writer may not be as dedicated as someone who identifies as a writer. The latter has no option but to write, as their identity demands it. When you act from your goal, your mindset shifts, causing your actions to reinforce the belief that you already embody your future self. This alignment removes the possibility of conflicting beliefs, which can create cognitive dissonance—a psychological discomfort that compels you to align your actions with your beliefs.
Mario Balotelli’s quote, “When I score, I don’t celebrate because it’s my job. When a postman delivers letters, does he celebrate?” illustrates this point. He sees scoring as part of his identity, not as a milestone to be celebrated.
The second video, "Discipline: How to Take Your Life to the Next Level," offers insights on elevating your life through disciplined actions and mindset shifts.
Final Thoughts
To fully commit to a goal that intimidates you, that aspiration must become central to your existence. Every aspect of your life—where you live, your fitness routines, your relationships—should align with making that goal a reality. Achieving something that feels out of reach requires unwavering dedication. You must be all in, placing your bet on yourself.
While this might sound daunting, remember that you are continually evolving and creating new versions of yourself. Being intentional about who you wish to become makes this leap seem far more sensible.
Thank you for reading! Interested in refining your outcomes and achieving your goals? Sign up for my FREE 5-day email course on The 5 Biggest Mistakes Leaders Make When Setting Goals.