Caution: Your Goals are in the Danger Zone

We get a little bit nervous here in the Midwest when the weather forecast calls for heavy snow and blizzard conditions.  There happens to be one of these events coming up this weekend and it reminds me of another danger zone lurking on the calendar at this time every year.  If you're singing the blues because you're slipping on your goals, don't give up.  Think of me as your weather forecaster and heed my warning to get out of the danger zone with some habit saving tips.

That dark cloud over you right now is your danger zone.  It's going to be with you every time you begin a new habit and the sun won't come out for 30 days.  Give up on your new goal and it will disappear into the rain gutter.  Pull out your umbrella and keep this new habit close to your heart until the 30 days passes and the sun comes out.  Don't let this new goal out of your sight.

If you're trying too many new goals at the same time, remember one thing – the umbrella is only big enough to shelter one goal.  Set all the other goals on the shelf and come back for them, one a time.  You will find the weather becomes very predictable.  Each new goal brings in a fresh storm and that storm persists for 30 days.  Once the sun comes out, go retrieve your next goal.  Bring the umbrella because I promise you will have stormy weather for another 30 days until the habit becomes permanent.

The naysayers reading this may argue that this method only produces 12 new goals per year.  I believe 12 new permanent habits per year multiplied by the number of years you will be on this planet are more than enough to give you everything you need to maximize your life and your productivity.  There's also a peace of mind you get when you learn to master your goals.  Have a great day and don't forget your umbrella.