All It Takes Is a Goal
Book

All It Takes Is a Goal

The 3-Step Plan to Ditch Regret and Tap Into Your Massive Potential

Jon Acuff
Baker Books, 2023

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Why do so many people fail to make progress on their goals? Glean tips and tricks on how to achieve your goals and improve your life from self-help guru Jon Acuff. Contrary to popular belief, says Acuff, you can guarantee your success if you set goals the right way. Hint: If you feel stressed and burned out while pursuing your aspirations, you’re going about things all wrong. Working toward your goals should feel like playing a game, explains Acuff. The ball is in your court: Will you throw in the towel or play to win?

Summary

Connect with an authentic vision for your future by reflecting on your past.

According to most self-help books, you must create a detailed long-term vision of your life to achieve your highest potential. But many people struggle to visualize what they want to accomplish in minute detail. This phenomenon is known as hitting your “vision wall.” Other self-help manuals suggest mustering motivation by living your life as though you only have six months to live. But who would bother with the details of day-to-day living when facing imminent death? Imaginary near-death experiences don’t promote long-term change. 

Fortunately, there’s an easier way to connect to your desires: Instead of looking to the future (the realm of fantasy), evaluate your past (your real-life history). Jot down a list of your favorite experiences and achievements over the past two decades. Your “best moments” could include traveling to a far-flung destination or becoming a parent, for example. Don’t place any restrictions on what counts as a best moment; simply identify the times when you experienced joy. Even seemingly trivial moments matter...

About the Author

Jon Acuff is the author of several books, including Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done and Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking.

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