Achievement in 3D

There’s a reason 3-D movies are all the rage right now. Don’t you think it’s quite amazing how putting some special glasses over our eyes turns an eyesore into a compelling, eye-popping, edge-of-your-seat, cinematic experience? I recall one 3-D attraction where not only did the action on the screen take shape in the third dimension, the other senses also were engaged as real water came down from the sprinkler system overhead, perfectly synchronized with the virtual splash from the screen — what fun!

Have you ever set a goal to exercise more, eat right or simply be more physically fit? Perhaps you’ve set this goal around the turn of a new year alongside becoming financially fit. Have you ever considered donning some funky 3-D glasses to get a better look at your situation? Read on to discover how to achieve in 3-D.

What could we possibly learn from a 3-D cinematic experience, and how does it relate to physical and financial fitness? Like the 3-D glasses you put on to enjoy the show, the following three “D” words will allow you to see and approach your environment with a fresh perspective.

Desire. It all begins with desire. Think about it for a moment. When was the last time you set out to do anything without desire? I get it, and if you are anything like me, I can’t stand to do laundry, but I desire to get it done. Why? I do it so that portion of my life and household is more functional and comfortable.

Desire is essentially having a strong feeling of want. The keyword here is feeling. Now, we could let feelings take us on an emotional roller-coaster ride, but doing so won’t often result in much, if any, success. Instead, focus on desire as a healthy and productive approach to fulfilling your goals and achieving your dreams. Whether you desire to be fit financially, physically or otherwise, a healthy dose of desire is sure to get you motivated in the right direction.

Determination. If we have desire and can throw a lasso around it, wrangle it to the ground and make it work for us, we have only just begun. Without determination, desire will eventually fizzle out and cause nothing but a heaping pile of frustration.

Determination means that you are firm in your purpose. When you’re determined, you’re resolute – you don’t give up! Close your eyes and imagine this. What comes to mind? I think of Spiderman and his relentless approach to making his newfound and weird situation work for the best to achieve what was most important to him. Of course, this is a fun and fictional example, but the message is clear: Be determined, don’t give up!

Discipline. If we have the first two D’s but lack discipline, we are nothing more than a plain vanilla, old-school 2-D cartoon. Can we still achieve our goals and be successful? Sure, but it’ll be much more difficult. Ask a child if they would rather see their favorite movie in 2-D or 3-D — I bet the latter wins.

I’ve found the funny thing about discipline is that people typically think it is an internal and individual thing. The definition of the word point to another direction: the practice of training people to obey; using punishment to correct. Now to me, the last part is quite funny because I often tell my clients that I’ll get out a ruler and smack them on the knuckles if they don’t follow through with my advice — I always get a chuckle until I actually pull out the ruler. All jokes aside, the key here is the practice of training people.

Now, I’m no literary expert, but this doesn’t sound like something you go at alone and hope for the best. You need a coach, a partner, someone to keep you on track — someone who cares as much as you do about your goals and achieving them.

Whatever your definition of achievement — physically, financially or otherwise, you’re best off looking at it in 3-D.