What Are You Really Hungry For in 2010?

Are you considering your goals for next year? What will you do to improve your career, family, health and/or finances? How will you take life to the next level? There are so many things to ponder and so many questions to answer. Want to make goal setting easier? Then take the pressure off and honestly answer this one big question: “What are you really hungry for?” Translate the word “goals” to “What do I really want?”

Here is a tidbit of information when it comes to goals. Most of us believe that we are after something specific and measurable; in reality we are craving “the feeling” of something. Example: John wants his own business, but what he really wants is the feeling of having financial freedom. Mary wants to share her knowledge by writing and publishing a book, but what she really wants is the feeling of being connected. Dan wants to be adventurous and skydive, but what he is really looking for is the feeling of empowerment and encouragement.

No matter what it is we are craving for the New Year, chances are we’re after the feeling result more than the actual measurable goal itself. Try this: as you list the goals you have for 2010, be sure to include next to it “What will it feel like when I achieve it?”

Why is this important? Because you can start focusing on feeling that way right now instead of waiting to attain the measurable result of the goal. Create and participate in activities that give you the feeling NOW. John wants his own business so he can feel financial freedom. Instead of waiting until he actually owns his own business and is bringing in money, he can start feeling financial freedom now by increasing his knowledge and maybe subscribing to Entrepreneur Magazine. Dan continues to participate in activities that increase his confidence in order to pursue a more fulfilling job.

Here are 3 Tips to help you get started for the New Year.

Have a very loose relationship with your goals. Try not to hold the results so tightly that you go into tunnel vision instead of staying in an open focused and relaxed state. We lose focus in the details and tend to forget why we want whatever it is after all. Trust that if it is truly meant for you to achieve, conquer or have – you will be planting the seeds and doors will start opening. If by mid-year you care to scratch out and replace a goal, allow yourself the opportunity to do so. Be sure you are not doing this because you have some fear. Give yourself permission to toss the goal if you truly don’t want it anymore.

When thinking about what you really want this year - be specific. Studies show that people who commit to their goals by writing them down in specifics are more likely to not only achieve them, but to prosper from them. Having a vision in front of you is truly important and taking the goal out of your mind and putting it on paper is important. Why? Because the things you desire go from a daydream in your mind to reality on paper.

Be sure to choose it because you truly desire it. A lot of times we get overwhelmed because we want to be good parents, provide for our kids, become the best employee etc. That is what we are supposed to want, right? Wrong! Choose your goals this year based on what will make you feel good. What will give you a skip in your step each day? You don’t have to place things like “get married; have children; or stay in a job you have outgrown” if you don’t want to. Make decisions based on what you really want and not what you think you “should” want.

Really think about what you want this year and try a nonconventional approach by starting your brainstorming conversations about goals with these two powerful questions: “What am I really hungry for?” and “What do I want to feel like this year?”

Last year I was hungry for more inspiration, laughter and creativity. I am happy to say that the book I co-authored this year (Changes of the Heart) gave me inspiration, my family, friends, dog and silly personality brought me laughter, and the art of coaching and writing allowed me to be creative.

What are you really hungry for? What do you want to feel like in 2010? Once you have determined that, then you can align with goals and activities that create those feelings for you. Try this approach for 2010. It’s the best way to satisfy your hunger!


Ned is a life coach, author and speaker in Houston. Her latest collaboration is in the book Changes of the Heart. For more information on her life coach offerings visit www.nedrios.com