Anxiety comes from complexity. When too many things could transpire in the future, which action should we take next? How should we proceed when choices seem endless? Which direction is best?
Perfection is the enemy of execution; we must decide and go… then adapt along the way.
We subconsciously crave feelings of certainty. Even if a plan does not work out exactly as scheduled, we still want one in place. Our brains contemplate and our bodies hesitate until we pick a path. The quicker we select a path, the faster we overcome fear, uncertainty, and anxiety.
The antidote to anxiety is action.
Our actions follow our decisions. Our decisions follow our focus. Our focus follows our intentions.
You don’t have to be great to start. You have to start to be great.
– Zig Ziglar
In a world where we could be anything, be intentional.
What do we want, specifically?
What are the specific obstacles in our way?
Which specific actions will increase the probability of achievement?
The more specific, the more terrific.
Because many people do not want to fail, they live lives of ambiguity. “I just didn’t want it that badly,” someone might say when they underachieve. “It doesn’t really matter,” another individual might say. “Who really cares? We are all going to die anyway. Why bother?” a person might nihilistically exclaim. Rather than experience meaningful suffering, these individuals tend to drift, quit, or wander. Rather than feel deep satisfaction after a worthwhile struggle, these individuals bask in hedonic pleasures and build up future regret. Rather than finding enjoyment and meaning within a passionate pursuit, these individuals let time wither away through self-deprecating humor and attempts to tear down others. Vagueness metastasizes into bitterness over time.
One of my mentors said it best: “Mark, stop always attempting to be so well-rounded. Be a monomaniac on a mission. Be sharp-edged!”
Sharp-edged has always meant one thing to me — have an inner ideal that we strive to make an outer reality, through hell or high water.
The person we most admire does not allow distractions, difficulties, and doubt to stop them. He or she likely gets fascinated by difficulty, not frustrated. Several individuals come to mind for me… who comes to mind for you? Email me about him or her: mark@markglicini.com
Imagine being tethered to an ultimate vision (North Star) so that body, mind, and spirit are invisibly yet definitely tethered to a purpose for being here on Earth. One’s purpose is unique for each individual. It is comprised of personal story, gifts, and talents that must be shared with others. If that purpose is depressed, pushed down, then he or she will become depressed, as well.
Here is a brutal yet honest fact: we rarely will truly know what we actually want down the road. However, it’s more important to set an intention and go for it wholeheartedly… then to achieve said intention… because it’s about who we become along the journey while striving.
From a young age, I had a dream of being a role model like the ones I looked up to. I have always wanted to embody a combination of my mom’s competitor fire and love… my dad’s integrity and character… my first lacrosse coach’s work ethic and sense of purpose… my grandfather’s storytelling and my grandmother’s faith… my sister’s care for others…as well as the heartfelt intention of Jesus. I did not know how I might impact or influence others by having this exact dream. I simply knew those individuals were full of light. And I, specifically, wanted to be a light, too.
Be stubborn on vision and flexible on details..
– Jeff Bezos
Here is a step-by-step process of goal-setting:
1. What do you want? Write down everything you want to be, do, experience, have and share in your lifetime.
2. At what ages would you like to achieve those aims? Choose realistic yet challenging timelines.
3. What are your most important one-year goals? Select three to five key checkpoints you would love to accomplish within one calendar year.
4. What resources do you need to attain those one-year goals? Write down the assets that could fortify and support you along the way.
5. Which characteristics and qualities would you love to adopt into your ever-evolving personality? Pick adjectives that describe the best version of you, and then circle the top three to five that matter most.
6. What obstacles are in your way? Write down a few potential barriers that could prevent you from achieving your goals.
7. Which role models could you study or reach out to? Select three to five people who have what you want. Bonus: ask them how they achieved their success.
8. What standards must you consistently meet? Create an action plan that consists of behaviors and frequencies.
9. Now that you have a plan that could work, work the plan. Do the necessary actions daily.
10. Periodically audit, edit, and enhance your goal-setting system. Bonus: share this step-by-step process with someone for fun, engagement, and accountability.
What kind of aims should you have?
Remember: the more specific, the more terrific!
Life rewards the specific ask and punishes the vague wish.
Peace is found by choosing one path, not by contemplating many.
Through crystal clear intention, we shine.
Mark Glicini
Mark Glicini : Jan 2, 2025 7:00:00 PM
