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5 Goal Setting Secrets to Jumpstart Your Life
By Ed Sykes
"Plan for the future, because that is where you are going to spend the
rest of your life." - Mark Twain
Another year is upon us and you have your list of resolutions or goals
you want to accomplish in the upcoming year. It’s time to plan your goals so
that it’s not just another conversation this year, but a focused plan for
success. I will share with you five goal setting techniques guaranteed to
help you achieve more out of life. Use the goal setting techniques listed
below to help you achieve your targets:
1. Be SMARTER with your Goals.
Make your goals:
Specific,
Motivational,
Action-oriented,
Relevant to your situation,
Time-bound,
Encouraging,
Rewarding
For example, “I will increase my sales by 15% compared to last year.” Be
as specific about your goal as possible. “I will start my own catering
business” is a lot stronger than “I want to go into business for myself.”
Challenging goals are motivating. Set goals that will push beyond what you
usually think you can accomplish. Remember to set a deadline. A goal without
a deadline is simply a dream. Attach a realistic yet challenging deadline
for accomplishment and post this where you can review it regularly.
2. Visualize your goals. Take 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes
just before you go to bed; find a quiet place; close your eyes and relax,
and visualize yourself actually achieving your goals. Remember the more
senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, etc.) you can involve, the more real
your visualization becomes. I ask during my seminars, “Have you ever had a
dream that seemed so real that you woke up in the middle of it?” Well the
reason for that is the subconscious mind is at work involving all of those
senses to trick you into believing the dream is real. Well, you don’t have
to wait; work at visualizing your goals today.
3. Phrase your goal in the present tense and assume success. Don't say,
“I want to.” Say, “I will.” This subtle technique tells your subconscious
that you have already achieved your goal, which means it will work at
helping the goal become a reality. It will attract the people, places, and
situations you need to achieve that goal.
4. Put your goals in writing. This simple act helps you clarify your
goals and will allow you to visualize them more effectively. I recommend
that you record each goal on a separate index card and review them twice a
day – once in the morning (when you first wake up) and again before you go
to bed. Post index cards where you spend the most time; on the bathroom
mirror, on the frig., on your nightstand, etc. This process reinforces your
goals, acts as a reminder, and drives your goals deep into your
subconscious. In fact, this is one of the most powerful strategies you can
use to achieve your targets.
5. List the benefits you intend to receive by achieving each goal. This
will keep you focused and strong, particularly when you face the inevitable
roadblocks and barriers. In June, when I chose to lose 20 pounds, I listed
12 benefits, and when I had the urge to put butter on my veggies or help
myself to a second serving of food, I would review this list to help me get
past that craving. I lost the 22 pounds and two inches around my waistline
to date. I think I will go for another 10 pounds. This was not a diet, just
a lifestyle change. The more benefits you can list for your goals, the more
motivating those goals will become.
So my challenge to you to is to take the time to plan your goals. Start
with one goal and visualize it, write it down, and act on it. As I always
say, “If you don’t invest the time to set goals then someone else will do it
for you. And I guarantee you won’t like their goals.” Invest the time, start
today!
Ed Sykes is a professional speaker, author, and success coach in the
areas of leadership, motivation, stress management, customer service, and
team building. You can e-mail him at mailto:esykes@thesykesgrp.com, or call
him at (757) 427-7032. Go to his web site,
http://www.thesykesgrp.com, and signup for the newsletter, OnPoint, and
receive the free ebook, "Empowerment and Stress Secrets for the Busy
Professional."
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