It’s just about a year ago that I started taking my own advice about achieving my goals. If you want a specific outcome, you must give the outcome the respect it deserves.

Yes, you can take the easy way out. You can justify, excuse and defend your actions or demonize others. You can be mad, discouraged, insulted or confused. You can do all that, but you won’t get what you want unless you give your goal the recognition it deserves.

Who holds you accountable for your goals?

Over the past few years, I’ve put on a few pounds. Every year. Finally, last year, I decided to do something about it. Over the course of six months, I tried a lot of things. I quit dairy, gluten, soda and sugar. I quit a lot of things, but still my weight remained the same.

Finally, as a last resort, I decided to hire Jack, my fitness coach, to help me through my disdain of exercise. Up to that point, I had decided on my own what my body needed. But I hadn’t realized that the result I was getting was my body talking back to me. My body was talking loudly, but I wasn’t listening to it.

Working with my coach has given me what I give my clients. He holds on to my long-term objectives so I can focus on the tactical skills I need to reach my goals. I will also admit that I’d been trying to do as little as I could to get what I wanted. Hmmm. I wasn’t giving my goal the respect it deserves. Six months later, I am enjoying the journey of obtaining my goals and feel even more connected to them. And, I’m making progress.

What are your results telling you?

Which brings me back to you. What are you willing to do to achieve your dream job? What are your results telling you? Are you listening? An executive career coach will help you determine how to best leverage your skills, strengths and experience.

You must give your goals the respect they deserve. It’s the only way.