Goal Setting - A Template - for Success

Goal Setting - A Template for Success

Convert your “ wish list “ to an action plan following this simple but effective template .

Why bother ?
As with all relationship therapy and training my goal is to give you the skills that will make you independent.
A lot of your friends have the same ambitions for wealth , success and personal growth – but they will NEVER achieve even a small portion of the success you are going to achieve because unlike you – they will not move to a written action plan.
How important is having a written set of goals and the action plan to accomplish those goals? In the nineteen thirties a graduating class of an ivy league school was asked the same question I am asking you today:

How many of you have written goals and an action plan to accomplish each goal?

Their answer – was that only 5 % had written down their goals along with an action plan to carry their goals to the finish line. Thirty years later a survey of the same people revealed that the 5 % who had moved to goals in writing – controlled 90% of the wealth the class had accumulated. If you are a skeptic then ask any ten of your friends the same question.

Before we proceed let me emphasize that we are now going to agree that you need two sets of goals – one for your business / work and another for your private life. You cannot be organized and efficient at the office and then assume another personality at home ( or vice-versa).

You will not require any fancy software or even be required to use a computer – a pen and a notebook from the dollar store will do very well.

Step By Step

Step 1 Write down each goal as a heading on a separate page
Writing is not a mental list – don’t delude yourself into thinking
it’s all up there.Writing involves your visual and oral faculties
and the more you review and use all your senses in the review the
better will be your effort at convincing your mind this is serious
and it is being accomplished.

Step 2 Review each goal asking the following questions :

Is the goal realistic
Your goals should be “ dream size “ but achievable over a
reasonable time.
Being a millionaire is a great goal – but not if you think
you’ll accomplish that in 30days.
Is the goal a stretch
Raising your income 3% is too easy . you want a goal that is
somewhat out of reach to make yourself exert time and effort.
Is your goal well defined
Every Miss America says she wants to work for world peace -
laudable but useless compared to a list of ten steps to gain
additional skills that will command a higher wage.

Is the goal your own
It is difficult to motivate yourself to fulfill goals
dictated to you. I want you to see your own dreams coming
true.

Have you set measurement criteria
You cannot reasonable measure world peace but you can
easily measure an increase in your income , sales ( by
dollar amounts or volume ) or on time efforts to finish a
report.

Have you set milestones
Each goal must have a date to start and some date or way to
signify completion.
In addition you may have milestone dates as certain targets
are reached on the path to fully accomplishing the goal.

Do you require additional resources
Perhaps you do need to buy a piece of software , material
or furniture

Do you require a budget
The other factors may be in place but money is required
to get started an maintain action.

An Accountability PartnerIf you can find a friend or associate you can meet weekly to report your progress and receive encouragement. Note – the partner has to be chosen very carefully . A fifteen minute negative feedback session can destroy a weeks good work. If you do not have a person who can be encouraging and supporting do not reveal your goals or plans to any other person. Lives are destroyed by false criticism that we take as true or thatcause us to doubt our own plans.

Now – Two Actions - proceed in small steps and reward yourself as each step is accomplished.

One additional great value of a written plan is the constant positive reinforcement of seeing small steps accomplished and crossed of your list. In the same way you can reinforce the success by small rewards. That may amount to a coffee break when you finish a step. I prefer to buy a small item to display in my office. For example when I completed a weekend seminar I bought a Buzz Light Year toy to add to my collection. That cost less than $5.00 and each day I see it and each day it reminds me that I was successful – and can be successful. Some little collectibles from a thrift store can cost me as little as 25 cents. Compare that to a once a year bonus – a far away bonus is of little incentive value for today’s work.