Ready Set Goals!
 
Goals-The Easy Way™ - Part 4
 
Personally, I do not like anything that is either long or complex.  I want it simple.  So I have established a simple plan to get started on your goal setting journey. It is goal setting the EASY WAY: 

• Establish what you want to do
  
• Assign a due date (this is key!)
• Simple baby steps: constructing small or simple steps into an action plan
• You need to take ownership of your action plan (commitment)

      Be sure to:

• Write it down – if you write it down you will have a greater success rate because writing it will serve as a vision as well as a commitment.
  
• Adjust the plan if it isn’t working. This is your plan, make the necessary adjustments.  Most of us start with giant steps instead of baby steps.  Adjust when needed.
• You should REWARD yourself - after you have accomplished each baby step. You control what you do with your life. Effort in - success out. Persevere and be disciplined!
  

 
Suggestion: select a "goal buddy" and help them achieve their goals as they help you achieve yours.

In conclusion:

• You control what you do with your life.  Effort in - success out.  Persevere and be disciplined!
• Change the tape in your head…stop thinking I can’t, I’ll do it tomorrow, what if I fail. The enemy of your success is taking up space in your mind and is not paying rent…why is that? Say instead - I will, I can, and I am going to.
• See yourself as successful and talk like you’re successful. Take control of your life, think and ask, “why not me?" Remember the Proverb: “As a person thinks in their heart, so shall they be”
•  You are what you think, so chose what you want your life to look like. It’s your life and you are in control.

Look out for Distractors! – Part 3
 
Like anything worthwhile in life, there are enemies hiding in the bushes waiting to stomp out your plans and goals.  You must be aware of the enemies that will come to call when you take the first step on your journey towards setting goals.
 
The greatest enemy of setting and accomplishing goals is negative thinking.  Things like:

• Excuses that say, “I can’t; it’s too hard; I don’t have the time”

 

• Procrastination that says, “I will do this on Monday; I will do this after I get a new job. ”Procrastinators always put off for tomorrow what they can begin today."

 

• Fear of failure tells you “what if…?” Instead you need to answer, “so what!”
  

 

• Not asking for help - if you don’t ask, you won’t get to where you want to go. We all need to surround ourselves with people whose skills can propel us into our future.
  

                       
Antidote for Negative Thinking

• Recognize – that your thoughts are not lining up with your goals, so change your thinking to positive and encouraging beliefs.  “As a person thinks, so shall they be.”  Whatever you think, you will draw to yourself.  That is vital aspect of goal setting. 

 

• Refuse – to allowing limiting circumstances or negative thinking stop you from beginning the journey.  Like Nike says, “Just Do It.”  Refuse to allow others (or your negative thoughts) control what happens in your life.  If you do, you will miss out on the best life that was prepared for you.

 

• Resist – the temptation to make excuses, procrastinate, fear, or let pride stop you from asking for help.  Think positive and be disciplined.

 
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments” –Jim Rohn, Author

 

                                                           Goal setting made simple - Part 2
 
 
Let’s start with…what exactly is a goal?  It is:

• Something you want to achieve
• An end one strives to attain
• An aim

 
 
Goals = Success; if you want success, set goals. 

• Goals will turn your dreams into reality - Success is the steady progress toward your goals.
• They should be attainable and not intimidating. They’re objectives you set for your life.
• Setting goals is the first step in taking your dreams reality. No goals, no life focus and no real fulfillment

 
THINK GOALS!!

• Goals can be best accomplished by taking “baby steps.”
• Like anything worthwhile in life, goals need your commitment
• They should fit your personality, but should require you to s-t-r-e-t-c-h beyond where you are today.

  
 
              “Goals determines your thoughts. Thoughts determine your life” -Anonymous

      The second essential step in finding fulfillment in your life - setting realistic goals - Part 1
  
We have all heard about the importance of setting goals.  We may have read books, attended seminars, learned about it in college or at professional development session.  But how many of us actually set and achieve goals?  The next series of my blog will be about simple and successful goal setting.  But first, let’s look at some questions that I have heard.
 
Why do we need to set goals?  Setting goals will provide focus and will guarantee that you will achieve what you have set forth to accomplish.
 
Should I have goals for all areas of my life?  YES! Set goals for your physical, professional, social and spiritual life.  Take control of where you want your life to go.  As opposed to the alternative of allowing life to take you ‘wherever’. 
 
How do I find the time in my busy schedule to set goals?  If you want to be productive in all areas of your life, you need to take control of your time, make a commitment and be disciplined in setting your goals.
 
How do I get started?  That’s where I come in.  I will help you break down the process into baby steps that will enable you to establish a goal-setting program for your life.