The Power of Setting Unrealistic Goals

If you’re a student of success, you’ve surely seen the acronym of S.M.A.R.T. goals.

Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Reasonable, and Time Bound

That’s practical except for one thing. Reasonable goals rarely create breakthroughs in your life.

Most people are not inspired by “Reasonable” Goals.

And who decides what is reasonable? Who decides what is attainable for you?

Most of the Goals that I set out to achieve are completely UNreasonable by most people’s standards.

several years ago, during what was one of the most challenging years of my life, I wrote two highly acclaimed ebooks and created two audio programs in a span of less than six months. I garnered the attention of national media as a thought leader, and amassed a loyal following of people who hired me to coach them to create breakthroughs in their lives and I also partnered with other leaders and contributed to dozens of books, programs and projects. I started a new business from scratch and achieved outrageous results.

What makes this even more remarkable is that I achieved all f that during a year at a time when I had the most personal challenges.

During much of that time I was providing around the clock care for my beloved mother during a long illness, squeezing in my work while sleep deprived, in between the demands of her care. For months I found precious minutes to write while in hospital waiting rooms and created the works that are the foundation for the principles I teach in my books and workshops to this day.

So why am I telling you this now?

Because it was “UNrealistic” to pursue most of the goals I set.

It was outrageous.

It was … I.N.S.A.N.E.

Inspiring, Noble, Stretching, Ambitious, Nourishing, and Empowering

I understood that even in the face of struggle, I always have a choice. I could let go of my deepest desires or I could embrace them and find comfort in them.

I did have to change some time tables. I did have to make some adjustments and rearrange some things. But I embraced my vision and held tight to my Goals and dreams.

Many times I was only able to do a little towards their advancement, but I always did something. Every single day. And those little somethings added up and accumulated into BIG results over time.

I did not allow my dream to die. I did not allow my circumstances to overtake me.

I didn’t let anyone else tell me what was “realistic.”

Other people don’t know my capacity, my determination, my dreams, my motivation, my passion, my commitment, my mission in life, my destiny.

And no one knows yours like you do. You determine your destiny. You decide your fate.

And part of that destiny is growth. Perseverance. Overcoming obstacles. I used to be afraid to be uncomfortable. I used to cling to certainty. I had to learn how to embrace and get excited about the unknown adventures that lie ahead of me if I was ever going to find out what I am truly capable of. And it’s always evolving. I would never grow if I only did what was comfortable, what was easy. I found the power that lies within by doing the difficult, embracing challenges, feeling the fear and doing it anyways. You cannot live your dreams when you only do what is “reasonable.”

Think of the people you admire most. Think of anyone that inspires you, perhaps a favorite athlete, celebrity, business person, activist, or someone who overcame seemingly insurmountable odds. Did they only set “realistic” Goals?

Heck NO! People probably thought they were INSANE!

I found that after you do what is uncomfortable, that thing is no longer uncomfortable. By progressively doing a little more and going beyond, you create a whole new level in your life.

So don’t pursue goals that are always easy. Set Goals that make you stretch. Set goals that challenge you and force you to grow. Set Goals that motivate you to become more today than you were yesterday. Set Goals that make you become extraordinary. Set Goals that scare you. Set Goals that make you feel ALIVE. Set Goals that are compelling and be willing to do the work to bring them to life.

Set some UNrealistic Goals.

Set some INSANE Goals.

Live Your Dreams,

Jill Koenig

Author, Certified Goals Coach