G.L.O.W.E.R. Formula

The solution to why you haven't accomplished your goals yet

Struggling to meet your goals?

Find yourself spinning around in circles?

It's a problem we all face. No one ever said that setting and working towards goals was easy. However, I'd like to share my GLOWER formula that's helped myself and clients make setting and achieving meaningful goals more easily so that you can get out of your own way.

We all know that goal setting is a great way to maintain motivation and direct your behavior.

The hard part is creating effective goals, so today we are going to take a look at comprehensive tools for improving our process.

G - Goal: Get Specific About What You Want

What do you want?

Have you ever set a goal that felt fuzzy or unclear?

The first step in GLOWER is defining your goal with laser-like precision. This means getting crystal clear on exactly what you want to achieve.

Many people set vague goals like "get in shape" or "be more successful". These broad statements lack the specificity needed to guide your actions and measure progress. Instead, you want to create a goal so clear that anyone could understand exactly what you're aiming for.

Let's take the vague goal "get in shape" and make it specific:

• Vague: "Get in shape"

• Specific: "Run a 5K race in under 30 minutes by December 31st"

This specific goal gives you a clear target (5K race), a measurable outcome (under 30 minutes), and a deadline (December 31st).

Think of your goal as programming a GPS for a road trip. If you just enter "California" as your destination, you could end up anywhere in a massive state. But if you input a specific address, the GPS can provide turn-by-turn directions to get you exactly where you want to go.

Your goal should be just as precise, guiding every step of your journey.

To create this level of clarity:

1. Use the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) to refine your goal.

2. Visualize your end result in vivid detail. What does success look and feel like?

3. Write your goal down in a single, powerful sentence.

A clear target is much easier to hit. By defining your goal with precision, you're already taking a huge step towards achieving it. You're not just hoping to arrive somewhere in the vicinity of success – you're plotting a direct course to your desired destination.

L - Location: Assess Your Starting Point

What's the current situation like?

Ever tried to follow a map without knowing where you are? That's what setting goals without understanding your current situation feels like.

The second step in GLOWER is all about getting real with where you're at right now. It's like taking a "You Are Here" check before embarking on your journey.

Many of us are eager to rush towards our goals without first taking stock of our current situation. This can lead to unrealistic expectations or overlooking important factors that could help or hinder our progress.

You don’t plan a cross-country road trip without checking your car's condition or how much gas you have in the tank, do you?

Let's say your goal is to save $10,000 this year.

Your "location" assessment might reveal:

• Current savings: $500

• Monthly income: $3,000

• Monthly expenses: $2,800

• Debt: $1,600 in credit cards

This clear picture helps you understand the gap between where you are and where you want to be, allowing for more realistic planning.

Think of it like a doctor's check-up before starting a new fitness regimen. The doctor doesn't just ask about your goals; they assess your current health, lifestyle, and any potential issues. This comprehensive view ensures your plan is tailored to your specific situation.

To accurately assess your starting point:

1. Be brutally honest with yourself. Rose-colored glasses won't help here.

2. Consider all relevant aspects: skills, knowledge, resources, habits, and challenges.

3. Get input from others who know you well. Sometimes they see things we miss.

4. Use tools like personality assessments or skills inventories for added insight.

Knowing your starting point isn't about judging where you are. It's about gathering valuable information to create the most effective path forward.

By understanding your current "location," you can appreciate every step of progress and make smarter decisions along the way to your goal.

O - Obstacles: Anticipate Roadblocks

What's getting in the way?

Imagine planning a road trip without considering potential traffic jams, construction zones, or detours. That's what goal-setting without obstacle awareness looks like.

The third step in GLOWER is about identifying potential roadblocks before you encounter them. It's your heads-up display for your goal journey, alerting you to challenges ahead.

Many people shy away from thinking about obstacles. It feels negative or pessimistic. But here's the truth: ignoring potential challenges doesn't make them disappear. It just leaves you unprepared when they inevitably pop up.

Let's say your goal is to start a successful online business.

Some obstacles you might anticipate:

• Limited technical skills

• Fierce competition in your niche

• Balancing business tasks with your day job

• Initial lack of customer trust

By identifying these hurdles upfront, you can proactively develop strategies to overcome them.

Think of obstacle anticipation like a gamer studying the level layout before diving in. Knowing where the tricky jumps and hidden enemies are doesn't make most games less fun – it just makes you more likely to succeed and enjoy the process.

When preparing for obstacles:

1. Brainstorm potential roadblocks, both internal (like self-doubt) and external (like money or support).

2. For each obstacle, develop a specific plan to overcome or work around it.

3. View obstacles as opportunities to problem-solve and grow, not as reasons to give up.

4. Seek advice from others who've achieved similar goals. What challenges did they face?

Obstacles aren't stop signs; they're navigation points. By anticipating roadblocks, you're not being negative – you're being strategic.

This foresight allows you to approach your goal with confidence, knowing you've already thought through potential challenges and have a game plan for each one.

W - Why: Uncover Your Deep Motivation

Why is this so important to you?

Have you ever started a project with enthusiasm, only to lose steam halfway through? That's what happens when we don't connect with our deeper 'why'.

The fourth step in GLOWER is about digging deep to uncover the true motivation behind your goal. It's the deep and meaningful reason for why you’re even setting off on your journey in the first place, and the reason to continue even when you’re exhausted.

Many people set goals based on surface-level wants or societal expectations. "I should lose weight," or "I ought to get a promotion." But these shallow 'whys' often fizzle out when faced with challenges. The key is to keep asking "why" until you hit an emotional core that truly resonates.

Let's take the goal of starting a business:

• Why start a business? "To make more money."

• Why do you want more money? "To have more freedom with my time."

• Why do you want more freedom? "To spend quality time with my family."

• Why is family time important? "Because I missed out on my kids growing up and I don't want to regret that for the rest of my life."

Now that's a powerful 'why' that can fuel you through late nights and setbacks.

Think of your 'why' as the emotional anchor for your goal. When storms of doubt or seas of procrastination threaten to blow you off course, a strong 'why' keeps you steady and on track.

To uncover your true motivation:

1. Ask yourself "why" at least five times to get to the root of your desire.

2. Imagine how achieving this goal aligns with your core values and life vision.

3. Consider the positive impact not just on yourself, but on others you care about.

4. Write down your 'why' and keep it visible as a daily reminder.

A compelling 'why' turns "I should do this" into "I must do this." It transforms your goal from a mere task on a to-do list into a mission that's deeply meaningful to you.

When your 'why' is strong enough, the 'how' becomes much easier to figure out.

E - Effects: Consider the Impact

What happens when you complete this?

Ever achieved something you thought you wanted, only to find it didn't feel quite right? That's what happens when we don't fully consider the effects of our goals.

The fifth step in GLOWER is about taking a 360-degree view of what achieving your goal will really mean. It's like planning a trip by not just looking at the glossy travel brochures, but also reading traveler reviews, checking travel advisories, and considering the less glamorous aspects like jet lag or culture shock.

Often, we focus solely on the positive outcomes we're hoping for, overlooking potential challenges or unexpected consequences. This tunnel vision can lead to achieving goals that don't actually improve our lives in the ways we imagined.

Let's consider a goal of getting a high-powered corporate job.

Positive effects:

• Higher salary and financial security

• Prestige and career advancement

• Opportunity to work on challenging projects

Potential negative effects:

• Longer work hours and increased stress

• Less time for family and personal interests

• Possible relocation away from support network

By examining both sides, you can make a more informed decision about whether this goal truly aligns with your values and desired lifestyle.

Think of this step as creating a movie trailer for your post-goal life. You want to showcase not just the highlight reel, but also the behind-the-scenes reality and bloopers. This fuller picture helps you decide if it's a movie you really want to star in.

To thoroughly consider the effects:

1. Brainstorm both positive and negative potential outcomes.

2. Imagine how achieving this goal might impact different areas of your life: relationships, health, personal time, other goals.

3. Talk to people who have achieved similar goals. What unexpected effects did they experience?

4. Consider short-term vs. long-term effects. Sometimes they differ significantly.

Understanding the full spectrum of effects isn't about talking yourself out of your goals. It's about entering into them with eyes wide open.

This awareness allows you to plan for potential downsides, fully appreciate the upsides, and ensure that the goal you're pursuing is truly in alignment with the life you want to create.

R - Resources: Leverage What You Have

What resources do you have to help make this all easier?

Ever felt like you don't have what it takes to achieve your dreams? That's often because we overlook the resources already at our fingertips.

The final step in GLOWER is about taking stock of your available assets and figuring out how to use them creatively. It's like preparing for a road trip by first checking what's already in your car – you might discover that emergency kit in the trunk, a forgotten phone charger in the glove box, or those reusable water bottles rolling under the seat. Instead of buying new items, these overlooked items could save you time, money, and hassle on your journey.

Many of us fall into the trap of thinking we need more – more money, more time, more skills – before we can pursue our goals. But this mindset often leads to procrastination and missed opportunities.

The truth is, you likely have more resources than you realize.

Let's say your goal is to start a photography business:

• Skills: Your eye for composition and experience with editing software

• Network: That friend who works in marketing and your cousin who's a web designer

• Tools: Your current camera and laptop

• Time: Those free evenings and weekends you usually spend doom scrolling

Suddenly, your starting point looks a lot more promising, doesn't it?

To effectively leverage your resources:

1. Make a list of your skills, knowledge, tools, and connections.

2. Think creatively about how existing resources could be applied to your goal.

3. Identify gaps in your resources and brainstorm low-cost or low-effort alternatives.

4. Look for opportunities to trade or exchange with others pursuing similar goals.

Success isn't always about having more; it's about making the most of what you have.

By recognizing and creatively leveraging your existing resources, you're not just starting from scratch – you're building on a foundation you've already laid.

This can boost your confidence and motivation, propelling you towards your goal with renewed energy.

Use ChatGPT as your Personal GLOWER Assistant

Now that you know how to use the GLOWER formula, you can use the prompt below to make it all faster, easier, and more insightful.

After this prompt, you’ll also unlock 10 other expansion packs to make your GLOWER results bigger, more fun, and more motivating.

But use this one first: