I am approaching 25 years of experience as a coach specializing in goal setting and goal achievement, and I have guided countless personal development processes. Two moments are particularly crucial here: the inception of an idea (because that’s when it’s decided whether it will get enough oxygen to grow at all) and the moment of implementation, when it comes to standing by it.
For everyone who wants to see more initiative and innovation: At the very bottom of the article, there are two invitations to get involved!
In fact, there is research on how to achieve goals; these range from successful weight loss to complex change processes. I am referring here to Prof. Julius Kuhl’s PSI theory (Personality-System Interaction). It describes how people can develop courage and a can-do attitude to bring to life what they consider meaningful and appealing.
Without going into the theory in detail, we can identify a few key success factors:
1. Consider it a possibility. Good ideas need space to mature and be seriously evaluated—they must be thought through to their conclusion.
2. Recognize the opportunity costs. What will it actually cost us if we keep doing things the way we have been and let opportunities go to waste? And also: just how frustrated are we right now?
3. Create a positive atmosphere. Both the generation and the implementation of ideas thrive on positive emotions: support, the perception of (partial) successes, a positive atmosphere, and encouraging external signals foster unbridled motivation and boost confidence.
On the other hand, one big “don’t” is an excess of negative emotion—such as that caused by rigid rules, fear, pressure, or a constant focus on problems. Negative emotions hinder one’s ability to act. A good metaphor for how not to do it is the signs at the entrances to “Planten un Blomen” in Hamburg: prohibitions instead of anticipation. Perhaps visitors would have an even better time if it were clear what this park has to offer them. I actually think that’s very likely.
Invitation to Participate:
1. I propose a self-experiment: fostering positive emotions for 10 days. You don’t have to be overly optimistic or romanticize society to see that. But simply positive, solution-oriented, and constructive. I’m in! I’m interested in hearing about your experiences. Feel free to email me at beratung@sabinehappe.de or use the contact form on my website.
2. Whenever the opportunity arises, I’d like to share inspiring stories of people who are making a difference—stories that instill confidence. One of these stories is about Katrin Schumacher, who, at the age of 60, has recently started working as a narrator and lending her voice to audiobooks. Do you know any trailblazers whose stories I can share here? Please contact me at beratung@sabinehappe.de or through the contact form on my website.
