How to Set Goals from Presence
Setting goals is more than just planning for the future! Presence is our ability to truely feel and understand where we are at in the moment - this very moment. Understanding how to do this allows us to acknowledge our state of being (how we are feeling) when setting goals. This helps us understand where we will be setting goals from: Are we setting them from a space of fear/threat/must (below the line) which can lead to obligation, burnout, frustration and drama, OR are we setting them from trust/courage/resourceful states of being. Achieving goals that resonate with your core/being can be profoundly satisfying and empowering. Where are you setting your goals from?
How to Set Motivating and Empowering Goals
Conscious individuals and leaders understand the importance of not just what goals they set, but how and from where they set them. Here’s how you can set goals that motivate and empower you, rather than causing drama or disengagement.
Goals from Above vs. Below the Line
Above the Line:
I want to.
I choose.
Goals enhance my focus.
Goals are fun and gamify my creativity.
Clear responsibilities: who will do what by when.
Goals foster team cohesion and creative organization.
Goals encourage stretching without the pressure to succeed to feel safe or accepted.
Goals reflect my responsibility for creating what I truly want in the world.
Below the Line:
I have to.
I don’t have a choice.
Goals impede my freedom.
Goals are burdens imposed by others.
Goals create structures that stifle creativity.
Ambiguous goals lack clarity and cohesion.
I set only safe goals or lofty, unattainable ones.
Goals feel flat and obligatory, lacking excitement.
3 Steps to Set Goals from Presence
Acknowledge that setting goals is a choice.
You can’t have a real Yes towards your goal if it’s not okay for you to say No! Allow yourself the possibility of not setting goals. If you’re attached to the idea that you must set goals, consider that the opposite might also be true.
Give voice to the rebel inside.
Recognize the parts of you that resist setting goals. Instead of pushing these parts aside, invite them to express themselves fully. Ask: Is there wisdom in this resistance that could be valuable?
Get clear on WHY you’re choosing to set goals.
After allowing for a No and letting the rebels speak, clarify your purpose for setting goals. Some reasons might include:
Goals help you focus.
Goals provide a shared game plan.
Goals push you beyond the status quo.
Clear goals prevent overcommitting.
Fun competition with yourself or others.
The 5 Levels of Motivation
Consider these levels when setting your goals:
Fear: “If I don’t make these numbers, I’ll lose my funding.”
Extrinsic Reward: “I’ll get a bonus if I meet these goals.”
Intrinsic Reward: “If I reach this goal, I’ll have met my purpose to impact 1,000 people.”
Play: “It will be fun to achieve this goal.” (Remember, play means you view it as a game, not as a measure of your value.)
Love: “This goal fulfills a sense of love’s purpose.”
Additional Tips for Setting Motivating Goals
Picture it done: Write your goal as if it’s already accomplished in an exciting way. For example, “CLG brought 360 organization leaders through 12 sold-out Taste of Conscious Leadership events this year.”
Listen to the wisdom of your emotions: Check in with your head, heart, and gut. Do you feel joy or excitement about the goal? If not, reassess whether the goal aligns with your true desires.
Assess the stretch: Set goals that gently push you into the unknown. Be realistic about what you can achieve without burning out. Aim for goals that encourage growth while allowing time for rest.
Ensure your goals support integrity: Clear agreements about who will do what by when are crucial. Goals without timelines can lead to drama and confusion.
Go Forth and Set Presence-Based Goals
An above-the-line mindset fundamentally transforms how conscious individuals and leaders engage with their life and work. When goals come from a place of choice and desire, they resonate more deeply with our personal and collective missions. Set goals not because you have to, but because you genuinely want to. This shift can transform not only your achievements but your entire approach to life and work.
Warm regards,
Jeanne
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