“ Not all who wander are lost,” they say, but for the great majority of us, having a 1)road map for the future is a key element to well-being and success, however we choose to define it. This means setting goals for ourselves, and finding ways to achieve them. If you’re a wanderer, it might be time to realize the 2)boundless utility of setting goals.
徘徊的人并非都迷路,”他们说道,但是对于绝大多数人来说,无论我们选择如何定义它,为未来设计蓝图都是获得幸福及成功的关键因素。这意味着我们要为自己设定目标,并想方设法去达成。如果你正在游荡徘徊,那么可能是时候去发现设定目标的无限用处了。
It’s simply a fact: when people have goals to guide them, they are happier and achieve more than they would without having them. It’s a brain thing. Achieving a goal you’ve set produces 3)dopamine, a 4)neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure. 5)Reciprocally, dopamine activates neural 6)circuitry that makes you eager to pursue new challenges.
这仅仅是一个事实:当有目标指引时,人们会比毫无目标时更快乐,也更有成就。这跟大脑有关。实现了一个既定目标,你的大脑就会分泌多巴胺,一种负责支配快乐感的神经传导物质。相应地,多巴胺会激化一种神经电路,让你更加渴望去追求新的挑战。
Of course, a thousand-mile journey starts with the first small step. And whether we’re 7)embarking on the long 8)trek of a mid-life career switch or the walk to the bedroom to finally organize that closet, it can be hard to gather up the motivation to make that initial step. While setting goals is in itself motivating, sometimes it’s just not enough. Here are some 9)tried-and-true ways you can begin to move toward achieving your goals, and maintain resolve when the going gets rough.
当然,千里之行,始于足下。不管我们是刚投 入中年换轨的新职业征程,还是准备去卧室整理那小衣橱,鼓起勇气迈出第一步是很困难的。设定目标本身具有激励性,但有时候还是不够。以下是一些实践证明可行的方法,让你在向目标迈进的路上,坚定决心,即使道路艰难。
Put your goals in writing.
将你的目标书写下来。
The act of writing down what you are going to do is a strong motivator. Writing down goals prevents you from leaving your goals vague. Be specific. Use action verbs. Let your goals have meas urable outcomes. Specify completion dates. Also record what your reward will be for achieving the goal. Make a contract with yourself, then read it each morning and night. This will help you to be more 10)committed to your goal as each day passes. And while you’ve got the pen in your hand…
将你打算要做的事情写下来这种行为是一种强大的动力。把目标写下来可以避免你的目标不明确。要具体化。使用行为动词。量化目标的结果。详细列明完成日期。还要记录达成目标后将会得到什么奖励。与自己签订一份合同,每天早晚都读一读它。日复一日,这将有助于你坚定目标。当你手中拿着钢笔时……
Make a list of obstacles and benefits of achieving your goal.
列出你完成目标的障碍及益处。
Think of everything that might stand in your way. Then decide what you can do about each obstacle. Design a plan to reduce the influence of each obstacle and increase the chances that you will be successful in reaching your goal.
想一想所有可能阻碍你的东西。然后决定你该如何应对每一个障碍。制定计划去减少每一个障碍的影响,增加你成功达成目标的机会。
Knowing exactly what you will gain from reaching your goal is a strong motivator. Keeping my checkbook balanced will give me more spending money on the weekends. Walking a mile every morning will help me stay focused at work.
明确达成目标之后你可以得到什么,这是一种强大的动力。保持我的支票簿平衡能够让我在周末有更多的钱可以花。每天早上走一公里路有助于我专注工作。
Identify 11)sub-goals.
确定次级目标。
Break down complicated plans into manageable 12)chunks. Be specific about what has to be accomplished. Decide what you are going to do, and when. Make sure each step is challenging but achievable, and that you have a complete plan of action. Then write it on your calendar and review it regularly.
将复杂的计划分解成可操作的多个小计划。必须明确需要完成的事情。决定你要做什么、什么时候做。确保每一步都具有挑战性但可以完成,并且有完整的行动计划。然后把它写在日历上,定期回顾。
Learn what you need to learn.
学习你需要学习的东西。
If information or skill is keeping you from achieving your goals, determine ways to fill in the gaps, and build this into your action plan. Be willing to study and work hard to reach your goals. Think about how much time and effort will be required, and ask yourself whether you are really willing and able to do what is necessary. It is better to adjust your goals or your timetable than to proceed with a plan that is unrealistic.
如果某些知识或者技能妨碍你达成目标,那么就找出方法去填补空缺,并且将此列入你的行动计划。要愿意学习,并且努力地去完成目标。思考一下需要多少时间及付出,问问自己是否愿意,并且能够做到所需的事情。调整目标或者时间表会比继续进行一项不切实际的计划要好。
Enlist the help of others.
寻求他人帮助。
Find someone, a coworker or friend, with whom you share a common goal. Get someone to go to the gym with you, or to quit smoking with you, or to share healthy meals with you. A partner can help you stay committed and motivated. Look for role models, people who have already achieved the goals you seek to reach. Ask them for advice and suggestions. Find how they got where they are, and 13)incorporate what you learn into your plan.
找到一些有着共同目标的同事或者朋友。找人和你一起去健身房、一起戒烟,或者一起分享健康的膳食。同伴有助于让你保持决心及动力。寻找榜样,即那些已经完成了你所追求的目标的人。征询他们的意见和建议。了解他们是如何获得目前的位置的,并且把学到的东西融入到你的计划中。
Visualize yourself having achieved each of your goals.
想象自己完成每一个目标的样子。
The more real you can make your visualization, the better. Find a quiet place, visualize, and write down your experiences afterward. Go through magazines and cut out pictures that represent your goal, then put them around the house. Provide constant reminders to yourself about what you’re working towards. Describe your ideal life in the future. Write a few paragraphs describing what you have accomplished, and how your life is better as a result. Use the present tense as if it is happening right here, right now. This is another way of making your vision real.
你越是能够把你的想象真实化,便越好。找一处安静之地,想象并把你的经历记录下来。浏览杂志,把那些能够代表你目标的图片剪下来,然后放在房子各处。不断提醒自己你正为之努力的事情。描述一下你将来的理想生活。写几段文字来记述你完成了什么,你的生活因此如何变得美好。使用现在时,仿佛事情就在此时此地发生一样。这是让你的想象变得真实的另一种方法。
Get organized.
做事井井有条。
When you are prepared and organized, you will feel better about your ability to reach your goals. Having information scattered in too many places makes you feel out-of-control and undermines motivation. Set up a filing system, 14)set aside your 15)workout clothes.
当你准备妥当、有条不紊时,你会对自己达成目标的能力感觉更好。信息分散于太多地方会让你觉得失控,也会摧毁你的动力。建立一个归档体系,把自己的运动服整理出来。
Reward yourself each step of the way.
每走一步都要奖励自己。
Let yourself feel good about progress you’ve made. Treat yourself to rewards that will give you a 16)lift as you accomplish each sub-goal on your road to success.
让自己对取得的进步感觉良好。在你的成功之路上,每完成一个次级目标,都给自己一份奖励作为鼓励。