How to GOAL SET in meditation

My try and try again can only be seen as good right?

You know you really want something by falling off the horse and seeing if you go back on. Each time you are bruised full of broken bones and mentally defeated it becomes harder to get back on knowing you will probably fail once again.

Failing is actually the only path to success. Once you pass through the motivational barrier and build up your own self--belief and resilience, you can learn how to adapt everything to make your goals achievable.

The motivation is the hardest thing but once you learn what works for you you can get back up through the pitfalls.

So what has this got to do with meditation?

Though it may not seem as difficult as what many people strive for (sports, languages, going up the career ladder) there are just as many difficulties.

Everyone is different and so person A may take to meditation easier than person B, just as Person B may find a sporting achievement easier than person A. This does not however mean that for the person it is easiest for, A/B, that they do not struggle or have to overcome anything.

There are two people.

Naturally gifted

Working Hard

The naturally gifted has a head start towards their goal, but this head start is often enough to get by and many individuals do not put in sufficient extra work- just enough to get by. If the work hard stays consistent they can overtake the naturally gifted. This all works well when thinking of a fixed goal (like a job offer) and what you need to do to get there. But when doing something as fluid as meditation it takes another approach.

Goals

In any 'academic' lifestyle you may be found to make career plans (one I am creating now) which are filled with an overarching goal, main goals and micro goals.

An overarching goal --> long term goal which you hope to have in the future- this can be in many years.

Main Goals--> what you want. This can be in one area (lifestyle) or over a few.

e.g. I want to have my own business by 30

I want to save 10,000£ in the next 5 years...

Micro Goal --> The steps you need to take in order to make your goals come true. This could be

e.g. create CV

Take X course

Find a 20 hour part time job

For Meditation

It can be harder to put these kind of goals onto meditation yet it is not impossible. First and foremost, to be able to really immerse into meditation you have to be able to let go. It can only work the less you try- like falling asleep.

Overarching Goal --> this could be, to be able to see myself from a different perspective and as a result tailor my thinking to scenarios to analyse in a ranged way before making life decisions.

Main Goals --> Meditate every day for 20 minutes

Allow myself to see things in a different light

and give time to allow this to process

Micro Goals --> Find a comfortable position to meditate

Follow a beginner programme until I am

comfortable leading myself

Try group meditation and solo

Work out my preferred style that works for me

The best thing about meditation is that it is so personal. In each session, go into a meditation with an aim. It can be a sensation, to empty the mind, focus on an object, or themes such as self-belief. Once you know your long term goal, you can tailor (or get someone) your sessions to lead you there.

How to set the goals to ensure motivation doesn't decline

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Reliable

Time=span

Make sure that your micro, main and overarching goals use these above factors. Know what you are after without any ambiguity so you do not deviate off your path. Journal, document or make a mental note on how you are feeling with the task in the present and compare this with every milestone you have. Celebrate even your smallest achievements. Start small- you wont be able to go from A-Z in one sitting. Do not undersell yourself but at the same token do not reach too high and burn out. To trial this, keep playing with boundaries- trial and test is the best way. Get your information from reliable sources and ensure that your plan is efficient. Set time frames to achieve something, so you can track and do what you need to when you need to. The time frame will also allow you to plan backwards in order to know how hard to push.

Achievable goals will add to the motivation process and push you to strive for more than you would do without it.

Follow up on my next blog for what to do if your motivation goes.