Day 1 Choose to Win

Day 1 Choose to Win: Goal Setting vs. Problem Tom Ziglar

 Are you a Goal Setter or Problem Solver?  According to Bob Tiede and Tom Ziglar 20 percent of people are excited about setting goals, while the other 80 percent are excited about identifying problems.  Why do you believe the difference in percentage is so extreme?

I believe working on goal setting is more proactive in preparing for a future outcome.  On the other hand, problem solving is immediate.  You can set goals to climb over a mountain but when your only option is to go through a mountain, it takes on a greater urgency.

It’s advantages to set goals in a myriad of areas; from relationships, finances, health and schooling.  Yet often these areas are either put off or we are easily distracted until it’s to late.  We are now placed in a position where we are stuck and have no choice but to confront the problem.

I believe it is at this point when we are called to action. Problem solving becomes in respect the goal.  The greatest need invokes the greatest urgency.  Either we confront it head on or the problem will persist and unfortunately overtake us.

What are you currently facing that is overwhelming? 

Take some time to  write down in your journal what challenges you are currently facing. 

Now I want you to think about it, have you been preparing and tackling the issue through goal setting or are you trying to find a solution to the problem?

When you think of the problem, does positivity come to mind or negativity?  According to Zig Ziglar, “Identifying a problem is not negative, it’s positive.  It only becomes negative if you continue to focus on the problem instead of focusing on the solution.”

For example, in my marriage I had to Shift from problem solving to goal setting  For years I struggled with communication in my marriage.  My wife Liz and I have a relatively good marriage, yet work can always be done to improve it.  When are moments were high, they were high, but when they were low, they were low.   For years she would do her best to help me become more expressive with my emotions, stay present with the family instead of being a work alcoholic and confront conflict as they arise, but honestly to no avail. 

I found myself in the 80 percent category of problem solving, hurdling one issue after another.  In other words, I would put out one fire I caused after another, thinking I was doing a great job of managing my family life until the wildfire broke out.  It wasn’t until I began to take inventory and wrote down all the areas I needed to work on.  It was painful, but in the end it was worth it.  Providing the opportunity to self-reflect in a nonjudgmental way allowed her a renewed trust to express how she was truly feeling. 

For the first time in years, I took my head out the sand and understood that my wife was unhappy about the direction we were going.   when I was willing to be open, honest and embrace areas of growth as well as tackle the problem in terms of solutions, small changes began to occur.  To put it differently, problem solving in terms of going through the mountain was my initial option, but as our marriage grew and trust rekindled, I no longer took for granted the highs and began to build moment toward goal setting.  This in the long run has provided stability and consistency in our marriage.  I have now created moments I call “pit stops”.

Forecasting is the process of making predictions based on past and present data and most commonly by analysis of trends, according to Webster’s Dictionary.  It’s important you set goals in all areas of your life and as problems arise attack them with the mindset of finding the solution.

Let’s take some time and reflect

• Write down a challenge you are currently facing, for example it could be anxiety or depression, possibly working on areas of weakness. Please note today take your first step of action.
• What are several solutions you can come up with to the current problem? For example, if you have been running late to work, set your alarm twenty minutes even earlier to compensate hitting the snooze button. If you are trying to lose weight, don’t buy the sweets and replace them with items that are healthier.
• For 21 days are you willing to commit to journaling? If your not sure how to journal. click the link and follow the template I provided in the Coach 180 program.  You can email me at djlopez7@verizon.net we would love to support and encourage you through the process, or simply hit like or leave a comment.