With the new year just around the corner, I have been spending time getting my 2008 goals in writing. Many books and many successful people say that you must have your goals in writing to be successful, and I am a believer in this concept.
The basics of goal setting are that the goal you are focusing on must be as specific as possible, and measurable. You need to have a definite way of knowing if you have hit the goal or not.
There are really two separate documents that I am writing. One of these is a list of goals, and the other is a plan. I have heard different people advocate for having one or the other, but I believe that you need both.
My goal is the amount of money that I will make by a specific time. This should be believable, but not too easy to achieve. Stretch yourself. If you feel a little discomfort with your goal, that is where you want to be. The slight discomfort is how you know you are growing.
The plan is the roadmap of how you will get to your goal. I have heard people say that the plan doesn’t matter if you just focus on the goal. While I agree with this in theory, actual practice is much different. You will not achieve your goal without taking some action. The plan is basically a system for you to follow that will ensure that you will achieve your goal in the specified time period. Make your plan, get out there and do something. Even with all this said, achieving your goal usually does not come from following your plan. I can hear you say “What are you talking about? But you said the plan was the roadmap!” You need a plan to follow, but the plan can change as you go, the plan can adapt and be fluid. Once you do things one way for a month, you may realize there is a more efficient way of accomplishing your goal. Your plan can change, but the goal does not change.
I use Bill Nasby’s affirmation methods to install the goal. He teaches this in his “The Path to Deliberate Creation” program. These methods are beyond the scope of this post, but feel free to contact me for more information.
Remember: Set your goals NOW before the new year. Make sure you have a PLAN that can keep you on track toward taking action and making your goals happen!!
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Tags: goal setting