Conventional solutions yield conventional results

Subconsciously we are attracted to the status quo, doing things in what seems to be the reasonable way. We set goals that are safe, achievable. Our progress is measurable and reliable, provided we stretch ourselves to do those things we know we should do.

Considering what some may see as impossible is unreasonable. "Impossible" goals may interest us, they may entertain our mind as we dream about them, but we soon brush them aside and go back to what we see as possible. We put our faith in the familiar because we are certain of how we can get there and certain of the results.

We need to really stretch our faith. Just as we can see the reliable, predictable results in our lives, we can "see" in our mind's eye, through the eye of faith, the "real" results of what we dream and imagine.

"Faith in the familiar" only results in familiar results. It's not really faith because we subconsciously (and consciously) know what the results will be by doing what we're already doing. Most people are more willing to do more of what they have already done because it's familiar, it worked in the past, and it seems logical and reasonable to expect it to continue to work.

A new result requires doing something new. It requires doing something different, and to start getting comfortable with and accept different.

Remember the law of attraction. To attract a new result, you have to do something new.

Persistence and patience are needed because it will seem to us that we're not progressing, maybe even going backwards. The tendency is to revert back to "do what we do best" because it's familiar, and more predictable. It "feels" safer.

But is doing what you do best really the best for you? If it's the wrong thing to do, it doesn't matter how well you do it because you'll get the same results.

Experiment with new routines, new patterns. Be cautious of "setting goals". Goals can be valuable, but the problem I've encountered is two-fold.

First, I've realized my goals are "safe" or too ambitious--requiring too much immediate change that becomes unsustainable.

Second, when I reach a goal it seldom has resulted in a long-term behavioral or habitual change as, after attaining the goal, I often find myself back to where I was before starting the goal.

In both cases, goals too often, for me, do little to create lasting shifts in my behaviors and mindset. I've had greater success in just deciding to do something different and continuing to adapt and change. That doesn't mean I don't have goals. Just not many of the conventional ones.

To get unconventional results, think and act differently.