Getting It Done - Write a book. Develop a skill. Become a freelancer.

Ayelet Fishbach is a professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She studies how people make decisions and how to make it easier for people to make better decisions.

In her research, she has found that people are more likely to achieve their goals if they have a specific plan for how to achieve them. She has also found that people are more likely to stick to their goals if they have a specific reason for why they want to achieve them.

Fishbach's research has implications for both individuals and organizations. For individuals, she suggests that it is important to have a clear plan and a strong reason for why you want to achieve a goal. For organizations, she suggests that it is important to make it easy for people to make good decisions.

In her book, she explains how to use her findings to achieve personal and professional goals. She provides readers with specific strategies for setting goals, making plans, and staying motivated. For example, she recommends setting goals that are specific, measurable, and achievable. She also recommends making a plan that is realistic and achievable. Finally, she recommends finding a way to stay motivated, such as by setting a deadline or finding a support group.

Her examples include both personal and professional goals. For personal goals, she gives the example of wanting to lose weight. For professional goals, she gives the example of wanting to get a promotion.

Fishbach's book is a helpful guide for anyone who wants to learn how to set and achieve goals.

When setting a goal to lose weight, she suggests being specific (e.g., I will lose 10 pounds in 3 months), making a plan (e.g., I will exercise for 30 minutes every day and eat a healthy diet), and finding a way to stay motivated (e.g., I will set a deadline of 3 months and find a support group).

For getting a promotion, she suggests again being specific (e.g., I will be promoted to manager in 2 years), making a plan (e.g., I will take on extra assignments and volunteer for projects), and finding a way to stay motivated (e.g., I will keep a list of my accomplishments and review it when I feel discouraged).

The same principles can be used when transitioning from a 9-5 corporate career to freelancing; for example, start by being specific (e.g., I will make $5,000 per month freelancing within 6 months), make a plan (e.g., I will work 10 hours per week on freelancing projects and market myself to potential clients), and find a way to stay motivated (e.g., I will set a deadline of 6 months and celebrate when I reach my goal).

To learn more, click below to view a free micro-course sponsored by Lovegevity.University and The Big Idea Club. You’ll learn Ayelet Fishbach's proven methods for changing your circumstances and mindset to maximize self-motivation.

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