Hard Goals

Are these superachievers just more motivated? Or are they more disciplined? The answer to both questions is yes, but not in the ways you might think. What these people have—what anyone who’s ever tasted greatness has—is HARD Goals.

In an overwhelming majority of cases, the highest achievers are more motivated, harder working, and focused on tackling more difficult challenges.

We value things in the present more than we value things in the future.

Self-defeating behavior is generally considered the biggest preventable cause of death, and yet, societally, we postpone quitting smoking, drinking, overeating, and having unsafe sex.

When creating a mental picture of your goals, it’s important to use a first-person perspective. After all, this is your story, your goal, and no one but you is qualified to animate it. If you’re looking at your newly svelte body, do it as though you’re looking at yourself in the mirror and not the way your spouse or partner or friends will see you.

whatever your goal is, you absolutely can do it. You just need to rally your inner strength so you actually start and stick to that goal. And the most efficient way to do that is to infuse your goal with a feeling of urgency—to plow through any sense of panic, doubt, or whatever internal or external triggers threaten to hold you back and make your

Get more examples and tools at hardgoals.com.

In the real world, raw talent isn’t the predominate determinant of success. What matters way more is desire, hardiness, work ethic, and a striving to tackle big (and difficult) challenges.

People spend way too much time trying to figure out how to trick themselves into implementing mediocre goals.

more often than not these people function like emotional vampires. They don’t usually suck your blood, but they will suck the life out of you.