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: