Setting Goals That Sizzle
BATTLECALL GUEST EXPERT: Kim Nishida, Life Coach,
ReadyTo Evolve.com
Do you start the year off with phenomenal intentions and suddenly find
yourself facing December 31st with little to show for it? Do you have a mental
wish list of things to do, places to visit, or home improvements to make that's
a mile long and getting longer? Are you feeling kind of ho hum about your
career?
Your problem may not be a lack of self-discipline or an
over-booked day planner, but simply an inability to set the right targets&goals
that sizzle. Walk through the following eight steps and say good-bye to chaos,
overwhelm, and unfulfilled wishes.
STEP 1: Connect To Your
Desire
This is the first and most critical step in creating successful goals. If you
can't answer the question, "Why is this goal important?" get ready for an uphill
battle. If you are setting work-related goals that are not your choosing, ask,
"How does this goal impact me? Does planning the company picnic for my boss earn
me a fantastic performance review, the recognition of my peers, or the
satisfaction of creating a memorable event?" Dig around and find a nugget of
passion that you can relate to the goal at hand.
STEP 2: Plan
Ahead
"Vision without action is a daydream. Action without a plan is a nightmare."
--Japanese proverb. Once you've pin-pointed an undeniable desire for this goal,
develop a written plan of action. One of the most widely used methods of goal
planning is the SMART method: Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic,
Time-framed. Take the time to satisfy in detail each of the criteria in
writing.
STEP 3: Become Either A Visionary Or A Task
Master
Are you are fantastic list maker who gets easily overwhelmed by a towering to
do list? Take a step back from the nitty gritty and look farther ahead. Write a
vision statement by looking at the big picture. Or are you a dreamer who has
trouble getting focused? Break the big goal into the tiniest possible tasks. By
listing the easy-to-manage smaller steps, you will see that even baby steps help
you reach your goal.
STEP 4: Make Two Promises
Make yourself accountable for both the tasks and the ultimate goal. First,
make a promise to others: your family, customer, or business associates. A study
showed that salesmen hit their targets consistently if their projections were
made public. So promise others you will deliver. Secondly, make a promise to
yourself based on the desire you identified in step #1. Write your goal with a
specific deadline and post it where you are bound to see it several times a
day.
STEP 5: Make It Active Vs. Passive
Don't fall prey to the "if/then" mentality: "If I win the lottery, then I'll
get in shape. If I get a new job, then I'll be happy." You will only succeed if
you make your participation mandatory. Don't rely on fate to save the
day.
STEP 6: Cultivate Flexibility
Even though you have an outstanding goal with a task list carefully crafted
down to the tiniest detail, remain open to change. Those who hold fast to a
prescribed outcome are less likely to roll with the punches and often quit
whenever things don't go as planned. Remain open to a myriad of
possibilities.
STEP 7: Engineer A Supportive
Environment
Don't believe that reaching any goal is necessarily born out of massive
self-discipline and painful sacrifices. Consider creating the right environment
to support you in your efforts. If you struggle with exercise, you might draw up
a workout task calendar. However, a more supportive environment can include
hiring a personal trainer or, better yet, volunteering to coach the local youth
soccer team on a weekly basis.
STEP 8: Have Faith
Believe in your success. If you believe that you will fail, you will prove
yourself right without even trying. Banish doubt and embrace every failure as a
clue leading you one step closer to success.
Got an opinion? We want to hear from you. Post your thoughts or comments here in our Mortgage Warrior Forum. Come join the conversation and say hello...onward mortgage warrior!
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