The Calm Before the Storm

“Never ever mistake her silence for weakness.

Remember that sometimes the air stills,

Before the onset of a hurricane”

I’m really feeling this right now. Is anyone else?

Times are—well—hard, but the silver lining is that challenges force us to adapt and cope in new ways which promote both innovation and resilience. Going through tough situations is also one of the most powerful ways we can strengthen relationships with others, and this connectedness can be especially good for our wellbeing. Yes!

Now, more than ever, is the perfect opportunity for us to reflect and take stock so we can take the world by storm (or at least be ready to make the most of each and every opportunity) when the time is right. 

Let’s take a moment to dream, wish and ideate about the future and about our future self. Our ambitions don’t have to be grand - In fact, sometimes the smaller the better to engender self-belief and confidence. 

So how can we formulate effective, achievable goals:

𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺– This crystallises our thoughts and gives them more impetus 

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 e.g. “Perform xxx task/technique well" is much more commanding than "Don't keep making xxx mistake”

𝗕𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 - Include dates, times and amounts to allow for measurement of the achievement and to ensure proper satisfaction from having achieved the goal

𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 – In case of several goals, give each a priority to avoid feeling overwhelmed and to help direct attention to the most important one(s)

𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 – We have more control over our performance than we do over the outcome 

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰  – It's vital to set goals we can achieve. All sorts of people (employers, media, society etc) can, sometimes unwittingly, impose unrealistic goals on us.

We are all unique and our goals are unique too. When we embrace this sense of uniqueness the pressure to live up to other’s expectations relents and we will feel more empowered to navigate our own journey, no-one else’s…

What great tips or tactics do you use to ready yourself to take the world by storm?