Why are goals so important for achieving anything in your life? It gives you a clear picture of where you are going. When I want to navigate the complicated streets of downtown Seattle, I pull out the Global Positioning System on my phone. A sexy female voice tells me which way to turn until I get to the destination I am looking for. The GPS even gives me alternative routes and adjusts itself to the problems with traffic or road construction. A goal gives you a vision of where you want to be and your action plan tells you how you will get there.
You have written down your dreams. You have discovered a purpose for yourself. Now it is time to set your short term goals (Usually within 1 year in length) A majority of your short term goals should be focused and aimed toward achieving your purpose. You can also add to your goals list; financial goals, relationship goals, career goals, achievement goals, health goals and things goals. We will discuss the importance of setting goals and then setting a course in the way we achieve them.
Maxwell Maltz’s book Psycho-Cybernetics gives us a clear picture of how goals work with our brain. Dr. Maltz’s states that the brain is a servo-mechanism much like the computer system on a guided missile. A guided missile is launched in search of the target and although the target may move, the guided missile can adjust the course and still make it to the final target exploding on impact. When you set and commit to goals your subconscious works toward them in mysterious ways. I always used goal setting throughout my life. I would write down my goals in my notebook and could really feel the feeling as if I had already accomplished these goals. It is a powerful exercise and one that you will get to your target once you have defined what your target is.
If you are unfamiliar to setting goals or you have fallen down on goal setting before, it is important that you take small steps at first and feel small victories. For example before you can lose 20 pounds you need to lose 10 pounds. Set the goal of losing ten pounds first, then after you have achieved the 10 pound goal, set another goal for losing 20 pounds. The feeling you get when you reach the 10 pound goal will make you propel forward into wanting to go to the next step. Dave Ramsey, in his book “The Total Money Makeover”, speaks of taking “baby steps” towards your financial goals like saving a $1,000 for an emergency fund, before you go on to larger goals like debt elimination. It is the same concept for any goal you want to achieve.
A goal is different from a dream because a goal is measurable in the result and has a time at which it is achieved. If your goal is to lose 10 pounds by February 10th. You will have lost the 10 pounds on that date or you will have not lost the 10 pounds. That is why your goals have to be realistic for you to achieve them or you will never work toward them. I cannot say “I will have one million dollars in my bank account on March 15th” when I don’t even have an income. Your goal has to be believable to you in order for you to get excited about it and stick to it. Remember, small steps towards smaller victories leads to winning bigger battles.
Let’s outline the basics of goal setting:
• Keeping your purpose and your dreams in mind, start with a blank notebook or WORD document.
• Write 5 sections on this document: Financial, Career, Health, Achievement, and Things (You don’t have to do all the sections for this first year, just the ones that you know you have to really improve in order to move forward in your life.)
• Write down two goals for each section keeping in mind the time frame of 1 year from today’s date.
• The goal should be written in the present tense and with a positive affirmation. (I am energized and excited now that I weigh 165 pounds on March 5, 2010.)
• Close your eyes and visualize the final outcome as you have achieved this goal.
• If there are some immediate steps you can do toward working on that goal right away, do it. (Like, going for a run, joining a gym, or emptying your refrigerator of fattening foods.)
• Keep your top ten, 1 year goals with you in your purse or wallet.
• Read and visualize your goals at least twice a day.
Remember that your goal must be measurable. You cannot say a goal like “I want to buy a home.” This goal does not specify a time frame nor does it specify a measurable result. The above statement is merely stating a desire. If you do follow the steps above and then work to set an action plan for their achievement (To be discussed in the Next Article) then you will see results. You will find that your mind is finding ways to work on your goals even while you are sleeping. It is important that your time frames and measurable achievement is believable to you. You cannot trick yourself into being an overnight millionaire. You have to work toward your goals with daily steps and cannot jump from step A to step Z. Also don’t beat yourself up if you fall short of your goal. If on March 5, 2010 you weigh 166 pounds instead of 165, you did great! It is time to set the next goal. I truly believe that all people would be happy and fulfilled if they were to stretch themselves toward achieving goals. I want everyone to try doing at least one goal immediately. You will feel great when you achieve it and you will be addicted to setting more and loftier goals. The only limitation you have is in your head.
Tags: acheiving, destination, go for it, Goals, navigate, success
