WE CANNOT ACHIEVE IF WE DO NOT BELIEVE

There are many reasons we fail to live up to our full potential but the most common are often tied to inappropriate (or unexpressed) goals, inadequate (or unstated) expectations, a lack of responsibility (or possibly too much irresponsibility) or denied accountability (often to the point of deferring or transferring accountability). 

If you never set goals, you will not be able to fail (for anything you do can be construed a success) BUT nothing you do will ever produce anticipated objectives (though sometimes accidental meaningful results might be achieved). Anyone can shoot at an unidentified target and claim that they accomplished their intentions when something (anything) is hit. If we were to shoot an arrow towards an open field – hitting nothing but air – would we succeed because we hit the “nothing” we were aiming at, or would we “fail” because we did not intentionally hit anything (until our arrow landed somewhere we could not have imagined)? Shooting an arrow at a target establishes an expectation that the bulls-eye is our objective (which, if missed, would represent failure). Unless (and until) a goal or objective is established, no measure of success can be identified. Far too many people try to lead by projecting another’s current abilities forward without clearly establishing how their abilities contribute to success – any accomplishment coming as an unintended consequence rather than a planned outcome that resulted from deliberate actions.  

If you wander aimlessly about without having a destination in mind you may never be lost BUT you will not know when to abandon one path in favor of another. Effective leaders recognize the need to tell others how their individual efforts fit into the “big picture.”  Unless one knows where they are going they will not know when they arrive. Without knowing how their individual contribution completes the whole, one will focus more on the “means” than the “end.” Strong leaders encourage people to stretch their capabilities in an effort to bridge any gap that lie before them while ensuring they arrive at a pre-determined (and communicated) destination. Making sure that others know what is expected of them and what will result from their meeting expectations (OR what might befall them should they fail to meet their goals) – and following through on your promises – establishes both self-confidence and accountability. Say what you mean and do what you say WITHOUT EXCEPTION to establish the ends you need and the means you are willing to invest to get there.

If one is not held accountable for the results of their actions – if neither punishment nor reward result from a conscious action taken in response to a situation or set of circumstances – how can we expect an individual to perform effectively OR independently? When we allow someone to act in a given manner – whether it is appropriate and good or inappropriate and destructive – we effectively set the “bar” and cannot expect any more (or less) from the individual. We cannot change behavior without first drawing a line in the sand by saying what was once good enough will no longer be acceptable. Declaring the need for change, however, is not enough – we must set acceptable targets (for which to aim) and establish meaningful goals (that can be reached) THEN must then COMMUNICATE them to all impacted, holding them accountable for the actions necessary to implement the change.

Whether people are working, vacationing, in a relationship, trying to help others, OR looking to engage in any of these things, one can only achieve what they truly believe can be accomplished. Going into a project, beginning a trip or entering a relationship with an attitude of “if it does not work, I can always start over,” creates an instant escape path that will most likely be taken should “the going get tough.” In order to make a difference in this world – in the things we do and the people we touch – we must (to a degree) plan, anticipate, expect, act and take accountability for what we have done. We must plan what we want to achieve and “pre-identify” the outcomes we wish to accomplish or we will be content to accept whatever results come from the efforts we exhibit and settle for what we have (are and might ever hope to become) rather than realizing what COULD BE if only we had looked beyond our reality to make real our beliefs, hopes and dreams.