Life Angles: LIFE Acronym #6 - Levels Impel Further Effort

LIFE Acronym #6:
"Levels Impel Further Effort"

Levels. Just what does this word mean in the context that I used it in with today's acronym? In consulting the dictionary as I often like to do, I saw a literal PLETHORA of definitions. But, it's definitions 15 and 16 under the noun section that apply to today's post. Have a gander at the literal meaning of the word "level":

lev·el
[lev-uh l]

- noun
15. a position in a graded scale of values; status; rank.
16. an extent, measure, or degree of intensity, achievement, etc.

I don't know what it is about levels, but by human nature, the minute we see any sort of "level" that is reachable, we are naturally impelled to strive to achieve it.

It works in Corporate America, it works in sales, it works in video games (think "leveling up"), and it works in Network Marketing.

Something inside of us relishes the opportunity to do something of accomplishment, and I think that a big part of it is recognition. People love to be recognized and acknowledged for the good things that they've done.

By nature people are more interested in their own lives than anyone else's, as was talked about in the book "How To Win Friends And Influence People".

Another reason that attainable levels motivates us is the inner satisfaction that we feel when we complete a difficult task.

In the Network Marketing business that I'm building right now, they recently talked about the growth between different teams and how it related to their goals. Two teams set 3-month goals. One team didn't set any goals. The two teams that set the goals grew 50% and 30% in those three months, and the one that didn't set any goals actually shrunk!

This relates not only to Network Marketing, but to life in general. We human beings are never static in our progression; we're dynamic. We're always doing one of two things: progressing, or digressing.

Typically, if you relax in your pursuits of self-betterment, you'll digress. Seeking progression needs to be a constant habit for you.

In many different types of organizations, the levels that are set serve as goals and landmarks; ways to impel further effort and track your progress.

But what about the places where there are no set "levels", "ranks", or "achievements"? What about life in general, or your own personal progression? There are no pre-set levels here.

And that is precisely the reason that goals are so important. Because there are generally no universal pre-set attainable levels in life, you have to set them up yourself.

Without a distant goal that you can see on the horizon, you have nothing specific to spur your positive action, nor anything to accurately track your progression.

It's the people who float along through life that never really accomplish very much, and never really have that much to show for themselves after their lives are spent.

I'm not technically saying that these people are bad people. If they chose that path, they still may well have been very good people.

But, here in this blog, we're not only talking about good vs. bad, we're talking about different types of people, and focusing on one certain type of person; the type of person who is not happy to simply relax and live life, but instead constantly hungers for progression and improvement.

Here in this blog, we're action and results-oriented people. But we don't focus on action and results blindly or without emotion. On the contrary, we feel a driving passion for the things that we do. We feel that our desire to better ourselves and make a difference in the world are some of our most powerful defining attributes.

So, please do not wait until New Year's day to set some meaningful goals for yourself. Do it now, and enjoy the results. But actually, before you begin to set some goals for yourself, I want to raise the odds that you will succeed.

Here are some simple steps that you can take in the goal-making process, to better ensure your success.

First of all, make sure that the goals you are setting inspire you rather than just motivate you. As you may remember from a recent post of mine, inspiration goes MUCH further than motivation, and is a much more powerful catalyst for action and change.

Secondly, make sure that your goal is realistic. Yes, set it high. But not so high that you have to completely ignore your family, friends, and responsibilities in order to reach it. Remember this rule: "stretch, don't stress". Your goal needs to stretch you, but not STRESS you. It needs to stretch you beyond your level of comfort, but not so far that you are freaking out and losing sleep over it.

Thirdly, have a time frame. If you do not have a time frame set, it's really not a goal at all, but instead is just a hope or a dream.

Fourth, set one big goal, but break it up into attainable and comprehensible steps. You need to see the stepping stones along the way to your destination. You need to clearly see HOW you will get there (think visualization). Also, make sure that there are time frames attached to these "sub goals" as well as the big goal.

And fifth, set up some form of accountability. You need a close friend or family member to report to. You need a mentor. Otherwise it's too easy for you to just forget about the goal. Publicize your intent as much as you can. It helps keep you accountable.

So there you have it. Now go and do it.

Always remember to fabricate "levels" in your life where they don't exist. Set up your own "levels", whatever that means to you, and however that applies to your situation.

To me, levels mean goals. Levels mean tracking progression and being responsible. And levels mean personal growth.