"یک هدف خوب مانند یک تمرین سخت است - شما را به چالش می کشد"

Think of a good goal like a tough workout at the gym. It pushes you, makes you sweat, and sometimes makes you question why you started in the first place. But just like that challenging exercise, once you push through, you come out stronger and more confident on the other side.

Back in the 1980s, a motivational speaker named Jim Rohn popularized this sort of analogy. He wanted people to understand that the best goals aren't the easy ones. The ones that make you stretch, that almost feel out of reach, are the ones that drive real growth. It's a bit like how you build muscle - by consistently pushing your limits.

Take the example of someone training for a marathon. Imagine you've never run more than a mile, but you set your sights on running 26.2 miles. At first, it seems impossible. The early runs are exhausting, your muscles ache, and your mind is filled with doubt. But with each run, you start to improve. You stretch your limits, both physically and mentally. The day you cross that finish line, you realize it wasn't just about the run - it was about proving to yourself that you could do something you once thought impossible.

So how can you apply this to your own life? Start by setting goals that seem just a bit out of reach. If you're comfortable, you're not growing. It’s like staying with five-pound weights when you could be lifting ten. Challenge yourself. Maybe it’s mastering a new skill, like learning a language or picking up an instrument. Perhaps it’s aiming for a promotion at work that feels just beyond your current capabilities. The key is to find that sweet spot—something that makes you stretch, but not snap.

Now, let’s dive into a relatable story. Picture Sarah, a graphic designer. Sarah’s been doing well in her job, but she feels a bit stagnant. She decides to stretch herself and set a goal to lead a major project. She’s never done it before and it seems daunting. She’s anxious about presenting her ideas to the big bosses and managing a team. But Sarah knows that this is her strenuous exercise. She starts small, taking on extra responsibilities and slowly building her confidence. She hits a few bumps along the way - a design that didn’t quite land, a meeting that went off the rails. But she learns from each experience. Eventually, she pitches her project idea and gets the green light. She leads the project to success, and in doing so, she realizes she’s capable of more than she ever imagined.

The lesson here is simple. Don’t shy away from goals that seem tough. Embrace them. They’re your opportunity to grow, learn, and ultimately, become a better version of yourself. So, what’s your next big goal? Ready to stretch?