If we’re friends on Facebook, or in real life, you probably know that I’m currently living in Hawaii.
Moving here is part of my Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal to travel for a year. Cheri, Malcolm and I are living our dream. We’ll be back in Durango next summer.
Reflecting on the last six months of travel, living in and exploring San Francisco, Boston and Honolulu, I am reminded of the power of a BHAG. We radically shifted our lives, and the positive results are already showing. We’ll never be the same again.
This year, I challenge you to go beyond resolutions that will soon be forgotten and to set out in pursuit of a goal that will transform you.
Transitions can be exciting. For me, they are filled with joy and fear. Yes, we get to explore like we are on vacation but without the frantic pace. However, each time we arrive someplace new, we have to learn the city and establish a life quickly.
Pursuing a BHAG is a process of discovery, evolution and connection. Here are some guidelines I’ve used to get started and stay on course:
See the life you want: Keep a journal about the life you want to create, why it’s important to you, roadblocks you might face and who can support you. Find three words that can become your mantra to keep you going. My three words are: growth, community and move.Set your BHAG: A BHAG is not a SMART goal – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. It’s weighty, meaningful and audacious. This goal should inspire and scare you. Tackling it will change you in ways you can’t imagine.Build new habits: You are moving from one way of being to another, creating new patterns. Spend some time journaling on the statement: “People like us do things like this.”Amplify your values and priorities: The more you can live in alignment with what matters most to you, the more confident you will become and the more likely you will be to achieve your BHAG.Help others: In the middle of the transition, you run the risk of becoming overly focused on yourself. The obstacles and challenges can feel overwhelming. It’s time to get outside of yourself. Volunteering can expand your view of the world. There’s nothing like being of service to build compassion and empathy.Grow your support system: As much as the media and pop culture promote the lone hero, radical change requires support. Enlist the help of your friends and family members. These are the people who will help you keep going when it’s difficult and when you’re feeling uncertain.To support you – and me – I’ve created a private Facebook group called BHAG 2017. Go to http://bit.ly/BHAG2017 and join others who are inspired to achieve their own Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal.
Durango resident and personal finance coach Matt Kelly owns Momentum: Personal Finance. www.personalfinancecoachingcom.
