The success of any bigger project depends on you – on your commitment and resilience. And the level of your commitment and resilience depends on the strength of your ‘compelling reason’.
A strong “why” is at the heart of achieving any meaningful goal.
It’s not enough to simply want something or believe it’s possible; you need a strong, motivating reason – a compelling reason – that fuels your actions, especially when facing challenges.
How does a compelling reason work?
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- It boosts your resilience: Resilience is your ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward. This quality is essential for success, and the strength of your compelling reason has a direct influence on it.
- It solidifies your commitment: Commitment is about making a firm decision to see something through, no matter the obstacles. When you have a compelling reason, it becomes much easier to maintain that unwavering dedication.
- It helps you overcome fear and doubt: Fear of failure, discomfort, or the unknown can hold you back. But when you have a clear and powerful “why,” these worries become less significant, allowing you to push through with greater confidence.
PRACTICAL EXAMPLE: Downsizing in retirement
Let’s imagine you decided to downsize. However, you haven’t yet started to organise this project.
Yes, you long for a smaller, simpler living space. But whenever you think about your downsizing project, you feel overwhelmed by the massive task of sorting, decluttering, reorganising, and then moving your belongings.
This is where a compelling reason becomes crucial.
People downsize for various reasons; you must find and understand your main reason.
It could be one of these reasons or something else:
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- Gaining more freedom and time to travel or pursue hobbies: The desire for a less demanding living space to unlock more time for fulfilling experiences can be a powerful motivator.
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- Creating a more peaceful and manageable environment: The vision of a clutter-free, easy-to-maintain home that promotes relaxation and well-being can be highly compelling.
- Moving closer to family or a supportive community: The desire to be nearer to loved ones or to join a more vibrant and social environment can provide strong emotional motivation.
As soon as you know your compelling reason, you can make it ‘work’ for you and help you achieve what you want.
Step-by-step guide for applying the compelling reason:
Here’s how you can use a compelling reason to downsize successfully:
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- Uncover your compelling why: Explore the deeper reasons behind your desire to downsize. What will a smaller, simpler life allow you to do or experience? Why is that important to you? What feelings will it evoke? Dig deep and refine your “why” until it resonates deeply and fuels your commitment.
- Acknowledge competing desires: Identify what might tempt you to stay in your current home, such as sentimental attachments to belongings, fear of change, or concerns about the logistics of moving. Recognise these feelings without judgment and remind yourself of the greater benefits that await you on the other side of the downsizing process.
- Make a decision and commit: Firmly decide that downsizing is what you want. Write down your commitment and the date you want to achieve it by. This simple concrete action – writing it down – reinforces your decision and helps you stay accountable.
- Refuse confusion: Don’t get bogged down by the complexity of the task or the uncertainty of exactly how to do everything. You don’t need to have every detail figured out before you begin. Commit to figuring things out along the way.dedication
- Embrace discomfort: Accepting that downsizing will involve some level of discomfort – physically, emotionally, and mentally – is essential. Remind yourself that this discomfort is temporary and that the rewards of a simpler, more fulfilling life will far outweigh any temporary challenges.
- Don’t give up: You might encounter unexpected obstacles or moments of doubt. When this happens, revisit your compelling reason. Visualise the life you’re creating and remind yourself why it matters so much. Use setbacks as opportunities to learn and become even more resourceful.
Important to remember:
Your compelling reason is YOUR reason. It doesn’t need to impress anyone but you. The more personal and meaningful it is, the greater its impact will be.
Next time you consider starting a bigger project, remember that a strong “why” is at the heart of achieving any meaningful goal.
If you wish to talk about your next retirement project or need some help to find your ‘why’, just get in touch (margot@letgo-moveon.com.au) – so we can arrange a date and time for a private Zoom conversation.