Q: Why are some goals so hard to achieve, while others seem to come together so easily? 

A: When goals don’t work, it’s usually due to one of three reasons.

1. It's the wrong goal or intention. 

2. We're not aligning ourselves with the goal.

3. The system or principles we're applying are working against us.

Let's look briefly at each of these potential challenges.

1. It's the wrong goal or intention.

There are two very important aspects we must satisfy if we want to avoid the frustration and disappointment of an unrealized goal.

The goal must align with your true priorities, and your soul has to support your underlying intentions. 

Let's look at the first aspect, setting the right goal. Sometimes our goals come to fruition easily because we've inadvertently satisfied both criteria. Yet most people simply aren't aware of these critical success factors until they reach a stumbling block, start to dig deeply, or when they get help. Unfortunately most people give up on their most important dreams, because they start to doubt themselves, and then fall into the trap of believing that it's simply not meant to be. Most of us have encountered this experience at some point in our lives, especially around goals that are related to quality of life, and balancing the money we desire, with meaningful work, and more time for family and play.

But here's something to remember if doubt surfaces; you couldn't have imagined it, if you didn't have the ability to attain it! 

Yet just because you can have it, doesn't mean it's the best goal for you at this time. Why? Because it may not be aligned with your true values. You'll make far better use of your time, and have a lot more fun in the process if you first answer the question, does this goal align with my unique definition of success?  This helps you avoid unnecessary detours and the frustration of pursuing something that, in the end, isn't really all the satisfying.

Your unique definition of success acts like a personal mantra and compass and helps you create goals that feed your spirit, as well as you bottom line. We can struggle with goals if they're not really our own, or when they require some minor tuning. This happens frequently, because there are so many choices available! And in our culture especially, we're constantly being "sold to". So it's all too easy to get distracted by stuff that takes us off our unique path if we haven't taken the time to define our personal keys to success. So the first qualifier is, does this goal align with your unique definition of success, that is what's really important to you?

The second very important qualifier is

Q: Why is this so hard? Sometimes the more I work, the less I seem to get done.

Next, you need to use a system that helps you make the changes necessary for you to succeed. If you don’t have a support mechanism built into your daily routine, it’s just too easy to fall back into habits that no longer support who you want to be, what you want to have, or where you want to go.

A: If it’s hard, something is out of alignment. Yes, anything worthwhile requires effort, but it doesn’t have to be hard. So one of the most important gifts you can give yourself is to learn the principles of mindful decision making and right action. These are the principles and tools to help you receive more and do less. Although this may sound like hype, it’s not. In our culture especially, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of mistaking “busyness” for accomplishment. But the good news is, once you start using tools and practices to help you discover the best route possible, time and hard are no longer issues. You enjoy more of the journey!   

Q: How do I create a successful business without giving up my personal life?

A: Use a holistic approach to creating the life AND business you desire. Many independent professionals struggle with the demands of balancing a successful business and a rich and rewarding personal life. Often the business becomes the focal point, at the expense of your other essential ingredients of a fulfilling life... like dinner with family, connecting with friends, and more time for play, or for others, the reverse is true. Family and personal activities take up so much time, that there's little energy left for growing your business.

No matter where you are in your business lifecycle, you can make adjustments now to create more joy and prosperity in every area of your life!

Q: I’ve tried goal setting programs, time blocking and using the Law of Attraction, but I still can’t seem to make the changes needed to get the results I want. Help! What am I doing wrong?

A: Some goal setting systems use too much structure, and so you end up feeling like a human doing. Others are too fluid and unstructured, so you have the dreaming part down great, but there’s no positive  progress. The universal principles of success and self-empowerment teach us that we are living in an abundant universe. Quantum physicists will tell you too, that the universe is always expanding and you are indeed infinite potential! That’s not really “a secret” though, because those principles have been taught by spiritual masters, philosophers and scientists for centuries.

So what’s missing? There is an interesting dance between the dreamer and the doer that's needed to align with your greatest goals and dreams. To succeed, we need to manage both electric and magnetic energy. This is where most programs fall short. They either ignore one side of the equation, or they’re simply not designed for busy professionals. So they are too complex or time consuming to fit your needs. 

If a program is too electric, you will feel burdened and stressed. You're probably over-scheduling and placing too much emphasis on work and getting it done. So there's not enough play and space for your creativity to flow freely.

 If your approach is too magnetic, you may have great ideas, but have difficulty making positive progress. You may feel overwhelmed or unsure about what to do next. There are a lot of distractions and even though you may have your goals written down, you rarely have time to think about them, let alone plan or take action, because there are so many other things clamoring for your attention.  

Q: I love what I do, but don’t want to use pushy sales tactics to succeed. It doesn’t feel natural, and I’m uncomfortable with the whole marketing process. How can I market by business and feel good about it?

A: Pushy is not a requirement of effective marketing. We’re just conditioned to think that’s what marketing is, pushing our products and services. But I invite you to reexamine your concept of marketing. When done authentically, it’s about sharing your unique message and helping people connect with you, because they are your ideal customers. They have a desire or problem they'd like help with, and you can solve it!

Marketing is first and foremost about building relationships and attracting those who are an ideal fit for you and your business.

So by all means, use a proven process, but make the message your own, one that communicates integrity and the value of what you offer.

You can be, do or have anything you can imagine.

My sincere desire is that you know great joy and prosperity in every area of your life. The answers to these questions and "the problem with what is" are very near and dear to my heart, because like you, I've been there, struggled through it and searched for the right solution.

Honor the Dreamer AND the Doer 

Some tools and programs that are designed to help a business owner succeed are too complex, too expensive, or just leave you feeling like a human doing. Others have the dreamer part down just fine, but there doesn't seem to be any action in the Law of Attraction. That's why I created "The Daily Discovery Series" for the rest of us.

I don't claim to have all of the answers, not at all. But I do invite you to come explore with me and make this thing we call success something that is uniquely your own...something that honors both the dreamer and the doer!  

Enjoy your journey!

Laura Cardone, President Profits with Purpose, Inc.