Goal Setting Part 6 of 6

Part SIX of a six-part series on Goal Setting

38. Gratitude for what you have: This may be one of the most important tips in this entire report. Being grateful for what you have allows you to focus on the positive elements in your life, value the gifts you've already been given and appreciate the fruits of your goal-setting efforts.

39. Change your approach: Persistence is very important when working with goals. But sometimes you find yourself doing the same thing over and over and you aren't getting the results you want. When this happens, try something else.

40. Don't give up: Sometimes, after working hard to get your goal for a long period of time, when things look discouraging, you find yourself wanting to give up. This is just the critical time for you to continue taking action. Remember, "It's often darkest before the dawn".

41. Discipline and practice - small regular improvements: Some goals require you to commit to long-term discipline and practice. Your patience may also be tested. George Leonard, an author and accomplished martial arts teacher wrote a book about the importance of continual practice and self-discipline. One of the most important points in the book is that even when you're on a plateau and there seems to be little or no improvement; no matter how you feel, do the practice every day. If you want to become an expert at something you have to decide to be relentless in your commitment to the self-discipline required to reach your goal.

42. How can you tell when you're truly committed to a goal? When you think about it you get so motivated and enthusiastic that it's easy to take action!

43. What speeds up goal achievement? Some of the things that will get you to your goal faster are: Commitment, enthusiasm/passion, thinking about the goal a lot, using imagery or visualization.

44. Surround yourself with successful supportive people: It's very important to associate with people who have already reached the goals you want. It's also good to spend time with people who are striving for goals similar to yours. Unsupported friends and family may try to sabotage your efforts, be prepared for this if it happens.

45. Read success stories about others: One of the great ways for you to develop more inspiration, passion and commitment for achieving your goals is to read stories about people who have achieved outstanding success. Stories that are especially inspiring are about people who have faced great obstacles in reaching their goals. Their ingenuity, commitment and perseverance can be very motivating for you. You can also watch inspiring videos or listen to audio recordings of inspirational speakers.

Now let's go set some goals!

Goal Setting Part 5 of 6

Part FIVE of a six-part series on Goal Setting

29. To get the things you want quickly, "act as if" you already have them: Take a photograph of yourself in your dream car at a dealership or on a boat similar to the one you want or in front of a house you'd like to own.

30. Expand your vision; the power of thinking big: Allow for the possibility that there may be greater goals or visions. Mark Victor Hansen, author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books, met with Tony Robbins to ask about why he (Mark) wasn't reaching greater success.

Tony said, "Do you have a lot of millionaires in your success and networking group?" Mark said; "Yes." Then Tony said, "Do you have any billionaires?" Mark said "No." Tony said, "If you find one or two it will make the difference." And that's what Mark did...this was one of the factors that helped him to reach the pinnacle of success with the "Chicken Soup" series of books.

31. Look for unexpected opportunities: Be aware of unusual things that happen that could relate to your goals. Pay attention to seeming problems or crises; they can be opportunities in disguise.

32. Take a "mini" mental break: When you're feeling stuck while doing disciplined mental work including working on your goals, give your mind a rest.

33. List obstacles in your journal: Writing down both inner and outer obstacles to reaching your goals can help you to become more aware of what is getting in your way. And it can help you overcome them. Often just being conscious of the difficulties helps you to find creative solutions.

34. Ways to release negative feelings: In your Goals Journal, write down anything negative that comes into your mind. Keep writing until you have a sense of completion.

35. Take action on things you've been putting off: Make a list of all the important things you've been putting off and start doing them. These things may not necessarily be directly related to your goal. Put them on your "to do" list.

36. Find your "problem areas" that may be holding you back: The concept of "problem areas" is that you may have a weakness in a certain area or a lack of skill which holds you back in other parts of your life.

37. How to handle bad days and good days: Sometimes as you're working hard to get to your goals you'll find that you have really bad days when you feel like you're getting nothing done. This is a time to release your attachment to being extremely productive every day and just accept what's happening.

Tomorrow: The final in the series on Goal Setting.

Goal Setting Part 4 of 6

Part FOUR of a six-part series on Goal Setting.

19. Give yourself rewards: It is a good idea to give yourself small regular rewards for taking incremental steps towards achieving your goals. This is in addition to rewarding yourself in a bigger way when you reach your ultimate goal

20. Take immediate and consistent action on new goals! Tony Robbins says that whenever he sets a goal he always takes at least one immediate action as quickly as possible (even a small one makes a big difference

21. Get out of your comfort zone: Often the comfort zone can work against your desire to reach your goals because it holds you in place instead of urging you forward. Your comfort zone is what makes up most of your life, all the things you already know how to do, all the habits and reliable experiences you're used to having.

22. "Commit to change": Imagine who you'll become as you reach your goals and actively decide that you want to be that new and different person. The very act of formulating a goal will inevitably result in changes in you and in your life.

23. Do whatever it takes: If you really want to reach your goals, you have to decide to "pay the price." Sometimes there are things you must do that are boring, difficult, risky or scary...it doesn't matter how hard it is; if you want your goal you must still take the action.

24. Don't give up: When the going gets hard, don't give up; instead, try to get creative about new ways to get to your goal. Possibly the most important quality of the successful 3% of the participants in the Yale study was...they never gave up!

25. Get help when you need it: As you're moving toward your goal, ask for support and help from others. Don't be too proud to get help.

26. Take appropriate risks: Sometimes reaching your goals will require that you take risks you're really uncomfortable with.

27. Be honest with yourself: Be honest with yourself about your progress and whether the goal is still appropriate. If it is, does it need any changes? Are you following through and taking consistent action?

28. Use imagery and visualization: Imagery and visualization can be very powerful tools in your goal achievement process. Make a point of spending a few minutes a day visualizing yourself reaching your goals - seeing, hearing, feeling as clear a visualization as you can!

Tomorrow: Part FIVE of the series on Goal Setting.

Check out these books on goal setting:

Goal Setting Part 3 of 6

Part THREE of a six-part series on Goal Setting

8. Be sure your goals are compatible: Consider your most important values and beliefs when formulating your goals (e.g. honesty, security, integrity, freedom, responsibility, respect for others, love, leadership, etc.). For instance if you value freedom, your goal might be to be self-employed. 

9. Choose rational goals: Choose goals that you can actually reach in a reasonable amount of time.

10. Prioritize your goals: After you've brainstormed, one way to prioritize is to put the highest priority goals at 10 out of a possible 10 points and the least important at 1 out of 10. 

11. Create a step-by-step plan: Break each goal down into manageable blocks creating a step-by-step plan to achieve it. 

12. Use affirmations: Affirmations can move you forward dramatically in achieving your goals. Put them in the present tense as if you have already achieved them and say them out loud! 

13. Model the strategies of successful people: Think of people you know or you know about who can serve as models. Modeling your actions after someone who has already achieved what you want can help you save time and prevent the painful trial and error that you would have to endure without this kind of help. 

14. The 3 "R's" - Review, Reevaluate, Rewrite: Review your goals regularly and write the steps for the day on your "to do list." Reevaluate and rewrite your main goals every three to six months. Because things change, you may find that what you wanted a few months ago is not exactly what you want now. 

15. Patience is a virtue: Don't be too impatient—some goals take longer to manifest. 

16. Keep your balance: Maintain a lighthearted attitude while working on your goals. Although commitment and persistence are important, balance in your life will keep you motivated and enthused. 

17. Be public with your goals: This may create some pressure on you to keep going after what you want and will probably help you take consistent action. Be sure to only tell people who will be supportive towards your success that you are absolutely committed to reaching your goal.

18. Use a "to do" list for taking daily actions: Using a "to do" list and prioritizing your goals regularly is a useful technique.

One of the secrets of successful people is they take action on the most important things every day. 

Tomorrow: Part FOUR of the series on Goal Setting.

Goal Setting Part 2 of 6

Part TWO of a six-part series on Goal Setting

4.  Areas of your life to consider for goal setting: Here are a number of possible areas of your life to think about when you are developing your goals list: Career, financial, relationship, family, home, friends, personal development, health, appearance, possessions, fun and recreation, travel, spiritual, self esteem and service/community. Some types of goals include: personal development such as emotional, mental, physical and spiritual.

Then there are "thing" goals like vacations, cars, yachts, antiques, houses, etc. Another area is financial goals—savings, net worth, retirement income, investments, etc. Make sure you include some health and energy goals because they are the foundation of a successful and satisfying life.

5. Goals time frames: Goals fall into varying time periods such as: Immediate goals, 30 day goals, 6 month goals, 1 year goals, 5 years, 10 years or longer. Make sure you can accomplish what you want in the time frame you set.

6. Here are four tips for writing effective goal statements:

* Say it like it's already happened: When writing your goal, say it like it has already happened. For example, "I now have a new silver BMW 4 door 2010 sedan."

* Use motivating language: To get you passionate, committed and motivated, add emotional language to your written goals. Here's an example "I absolutely love and am excited about my beautiful new home in the hills" which is much more passionate than "I like my new home in the hills".

* Write specifically and in detail: Because your subconscious manifests things literally, you want to write specific detailed goals. Use language that is clear in describing exactly what it is you want.

* Write in positive terms rather than negative ones: Examples of positive statements might be: "I am now free of the habit of smoking", or "I am now a smoke free person". Negative examples might be: "I don't smoke anymore" or "I'm not a smoker".

7. Be sure they're really YOUR goals: Check in with yourself to make sure that you're thinking about what YOU really want. Often we try to please others at our own expense. You won't be successful trying to reach the goals your parents, spouse or other friends or relatives want for you.

Tomorrow: Part THREE of the series on Goal Setting.

Goal Setting Part 1 of 6

Goal Setting

This is the first post on a six-part series on Goal Setting. We've heard about it all our lives, and there are literally thousands of quotes, books, and articles about setting goals; how the process contributes to your success. But so few people actually set goals.

But it's a fact: Serious Goal Setting will greatly contribute to your success; goal setters are huge winners. There is an often-quoted study done at Yale University that placed goal setters firmly in the successful category when compared to non-goal-setters. The 3% of the participants who had actually written down their goals with a plan, followed that plan and took consistent action were happier, more confident and better adjusted. They also earned more money over that 20-year period than the 97% of the other participants.

So why not be among the 3% who will set goals and live by them? You have everything to gain; and nothing to lose.

I will create a new page on this blog devoted to goal setting for a full list of 70+ tips on goal setting soon. In the meantime here is a few points to help you get started on your goal setting:

Goal Setting Tips

These basic Goal Setting Tips are organized in a sequence that will support you from thinking about your goals to actually achieving them. And remember; only about 3% of us will actually follow through with setting our goals for 2010 and beyond, so make a decision to be numbered among the few; it works!

1. Use a journal to keep track of your goals journey where you may keep daily or weekly records of your progress including affirmations, successes, appreciations for your hard work, rewards, resistances, obstacles, etc. Use your goals journal to write goals initially and to rewrite them over time. Use it to break your goals into steps. Review your progress regularly and jot a few notes.

2. Get yourself into a positive state before writing your goals: It's really important to get yourself into an inspired, positive and relaxed state before writing goals.

3. Start brainstorming: After getting into a good mental and emotional state, start your brainstorming. Write all possible goals quickly without any editing or criticism. You can review and prioritize later; right now you want to be as creative and grand in your vision as you can be.

Tomorrow: Part TWO of a series on Goal Setting. In the meantime check out these books on goal setting:

How Does Your Garden Grow?

What am I planting in my life today? What kinds of thoughts am I allowing to run loose in my mind, taking up valuable space and time and effort? And if I'm allowing negative thoughts to be the predominant thoughts of today, just what kind of reality am I creating for myself?


Gardeners know that if they plant seeds for dandelions, they aren't going to grow roses. But they also know that if they plant seeds for rose bushes, they have to maintain a healthy environment for the bushes to grow in. They have to maintain a constant vigil, getting rid of weeds that steal the water and adding nutrients to the soil that will help the desired bushes to grow.


Our thoughts are very similar. First, we have to plant the seeds for a positive life by focusing on positive elements of life, on positive possibility and potential. Then we need to maintain a positive, healthy environment for those thoughts to grow and develop, getting rid of the "weeds" of negative thoughts and ideas as soon as they present themselves. It's not always easy, but it also isn't as difficult as some make it seem--it takes effort and time, but it's always possible.


Your harvest will come from time to time as you see the benefits of your positive approach to your own thoughts, or the negative results of the negative thoughts in your mind. What will you harvest? What did you plant?


Check out these books on positive thinking from Amazon:

Learn About Teamwork From a Flock of Geese

Leadership Lessons From the Goose

Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an "uplift" for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.


Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.


Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other's skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.


Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one"s heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.


Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.


Books on teamwork from Amazon you may want to read:

Commit yourself to your potential

Double Time

Les Brown, a noted inspirational speaker, tells the story of one of his friends, a salesman, who was in financial trouble because sales were down. Les asked him, "How many phone calls are you making a day?" His friend answered, "Twenty five."

Les didn't hesitate with his advice. "Double them," he said. "Make fifty. Or seventy-five. Or one hundred."

The salesman answered, "Aw, man. that's too much."

"Too much!" replied Les. "You tell me that you are behind on your bills and then you say it's too much. You know, one way to get back on your feet real quick is to miss two car payments. How can you say anything is too much when you have everything at stake?"

The advice Les Brown gave his friend needs to be heard by people everywhere. It's amazing what we can do when we're "hungry" for success. Most people who say "I've tried," haven't scratched the surface of their potential.

Today, why not make a commitment to achieve your personal best?

By Neil Eskelin

Change Won't Happen Right Away

Five Short Chapters on Change

Chapter 1.

I walk down a street and there's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. It takes forever to get out. It's my fault.

Chapter 2.

I walk down the same street. I fall in the hole again. It still takes a long time to get out. It's my fault.

Chapter 3.

I walk down the same street. I fall in the hole again. It's becoming a habit. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Chapter 4.

I walk down the same street and see the deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Chapter 5.

I walk down a different street.

Different books on change from Amazon...

Find the Things That Really Matter in Your Life and Take Care of Those Things First!

The Big Things In Your Life

A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about 2" in diameter.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The students laughed. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

"Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this is your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, your children - anything that is so important to you that if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed.

"The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car.

"The sand is everything else. The small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal.

"Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

Find The Opportunity In Life, It's All Around You

Helen Keller

(June 27, 1880 - June 1, 1968)

As the old saying goes, there's nothing certain in life except death and taxes. Our lives can change in a moment and the effects can be devastating - if we let them. Sometimes things happen, and we don't understand why they happened, or more importantly - why they happened to us.

When Helen Keller was born in June 1880, she was like any other normal baby. Her parents were very proud of her. In their eyes, she was absolutely perfect - and so intelligent! However, she contracted scarlet fever at 19 months old and after being rescued from the brink of death, little Helen could no longer hear or see. She was left blind and deaf in a world of vivid color and sound. And as she became further withdrawn into her own silent world, she began to lose her speech as well.

But is that the end of Helen's story? She got a bum deal, an illness taking so much from this bright, growing child. A world full of promise was seemingly snatched away from her, and for a time things were bad. She regressed, threw temper tantrums, stopped behaving, her manners went out the window. But eventually things began to change. 

Helen's parents found a private tutor for her. With the help of tutor Anne Sullivan, Helen learned to communicate again. Even more than that, she started behaving, she stopped grabbing food with her bare hands and sat nicely at the table eating with a fork and knife. With a little help, this child grew into a woman admired and respected for her work as an American author, political activist and lecturer. She even became the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Have you been there? Life is going along so well, so full of promise and possibility. The world is your oyster - then something happens, something out of your control, a setback. You feel defeated. Maybe you even started throwing some temper tantrums and breaking your toys in frustration. But this isn't the end of your story. Remember, every setback is the opportunity for a comeback. 

Take a deep breath, examine your situation, and realize that no temporary setback, whether physical or emotional, personal or business-related, can take away the whole world of opportunity that lies right at your fingertips every day. You aren't alone; there are others all around who are ready and willing to help you. It may take time and it will definitely take work, but you can turn any situation around. 

Like Helen, you too can be rescued from the brink of death, and when you feel blind to opportunity and deaf to life happening all around you, remember - sometimes all we need is a little help.