By Oladipupo Clement

Ever felt like your dreams are slipping away, no matter how hard you try? Picture this: one of the participants at one of my masterclasses, let’s call her Samantha – an event planner, diligently writes down her dreams each year on an Excel sheet. But here’s the kicker—almost none of those dreams come true, maybe just a tiny 1%. Strange, right? It’s not because Samantha is lazy, I know that for sure. So, what’s the real reason behind her unrealized goals?

Greg S. Reid once said, “A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.” So why, even with all the planning, is Samantha stuck in a loop of unfulfilled goals?

Before we dive into the heart of the matter, let’s chat about a familiar concept: SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Bound). If you’re an entrepreneur or a business owner, and you don’t set goals, consider this a wake-up call to get intentional about your journey to business and financial freedom. Remember, you can accidentally fall off a ladder, but you sure can’t climb it by accident.

Now, for those of you who’ve been diligently setting goals without much success –welcome to the club. I’ve been there, just like my student, ‘Samantha’. It took me years of trial and error, experimenting with various goal-setting methods before I stumbled upon something that consistently delivers results.

I call it Seductive Goal Setting.

Let’s unravel the mystery of why some goals stick and others slip through our fingers. Get ready to discover the art of Seductive Goal Setting, a game-changer that has proven to deliver results time and time again. It’s time to turn your aspirations into achievements with a touch of allure.

We humans are motivated by pain or pleasure. We are either running away from something we don’t want or running toward something we desire. And that’s where seductive goals come in. A seductive goal is one that is alluring and drives all other goals. It woos or lures you to accomplish feats you have never achieved before.

Breaking it down, goals fall into three categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Tertiary goals rely on the success of secondary and primary goals. For instance, if you’re single and want to get married, having a stable income and a place to live are goals. Getting the income is the primary goal, finding a place to live is secondary, and getting married is the tertiary goal.

So, the order you go after these goals matters. By focusing on your primary goal first, you set up a chain reaction for the others to follow. It’s like taking steps towards a more exciting future.

Now, let’s dive into the magic of seductive goals.

To set a seductive goal, ask yourself two crucial questions:

The Pain Test:

Imagine what could go wrong if you don’t achieve this goal. Who or what might suffer? This is the element of pain or punishment. It’s the drive that kicks you into action, making the goal a must-achieve to avoid the downsides.

The Pleasure Check:

Picture what could go wonderfully right if you accomplish this goal. Who stands to benefit? This is the side of pleasure and reward. It’s the sweet taste of success that motivates you, drawing you towards the goal with enthusiasm.

Setting and Crushing Goals: A Simple Guide

1. Write IT:
2. Don’t just think it, ink it. Write down your goals clearly and specifically.
3. Follow the KISS principle: Keep It Short and Simple.
4. Plan IT:
5. Chart the steps to your goals. Learn from successful stories and adopt proven strategies.
6. Plant the seeds of success with a well-defined step.
7. Pursue IT:
8. A thousand good intentions are not as powerful as one action. And nobody recognizes you for goals set but for goals pursued.
9. Every object remains in a state of inertia until force is applied.
10. Achieve IT:
11. Maintain clarity and singleness of purpose.
12. With the right strategy, consistent evaluation, innovation, and action, achievement is inevitable.
13. Maintain IT:
14. Don’t just achieve; maintain your championship.
15. Avoid the pitfall of losing momentum. Keep doing what brought you the initial success.
16. Grow IT:
17. Consolidate on your achievements. Leverage them to reach new heights.
18. Multiply your gains; invest wisely and avoid unnecessary waste.
19. Share IT:
20. Give back to society. Share your knowledge, experiences, and resources.
21. Mentor the next generation, ensuring your success has a lasting impact.

In wrapping it up, a goal doesn’t achieve itself.

Reflecting on a goal-setting session I attended from a few years ago, the reality hit home. During this session, we assessed who met or missed their goals. A woman in her late forties admitted to not achieving hers, just like the event planner in my masterclass. Why? The facilitator dug deeper, discovering that her husband took care of all her needs. In essence, there were no stakes, no consequences to propel her towards success.

Here’s the nugget: for goals to truly grab your attention, they need consequences and that’s the whole concept of Seductive Goal setting. Join my tribe to stay in the loop and keep the momentum alive!

About the author

Oladipupo Clement is a trusted expert in business growth, strategy, wealth creation and real estate with over two decades of experience. Renowned for his insights, he is a sought-after conference speaker and the accomplished author of several books including his bestsellers, “Financial Freedom Masterguide”, “Finding What Works for You”, “Rewrite Your Financial Story”, and “Just Before You Start That Business.”

He champions the crusade for the economic emancipation of the average African through platforms such as Wealth Creation Summit and Mega Housing Summit. He currently serves as the CEO of LIFEPAGE in Nigeria and the USA. He also co-founded other companies within the construction and software development sectors. Oladipupo holds an MBA from the prestigious Business School Netherlands.

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