We have all read the articles and books about Success or Wealth building strategies, and each one includes the importance of setting goals.
I believe how you make these goals is just as important, as the actual goals themselves.
I have studied many experts in the area of personal achievement and what each of them has to say in the area of successful goal setting and goal achieving. I have taken the best pieces from each one, and I developed the most successful goal setting process that I have ever used.
A vital part of this process is that you are in a positive frame of mind when completing it. You cannot be tired or feeling anything less than 100% enthusiastic and positive. Go somewhere that you will be undisturbed for at least 40 minutes. If you want to play your favourite music quietly in the background go ahead. You should be in a positive mood, full of energy and ready to create your exciting future.
1. Success Inventory of the past.
Think back over the past 5 years and think of your 5 biggest accomplishments.
You will be pleasantly surprised at what you find, the wonderful places that you have visited, the great threats you have purchased, the books that you have read and your career accomplishments. So, go ahead and write down your top five accomplishments.
I think this is a great exercise to write down what you have already achieved in the past, we have all heard the sayings "If I did it before, I can do it again," or "If I can do it, you can do it". The power of taking a success inventory of the past is a powerful uplifting exercise, as it gives you real tangible evidence of what is possible.
2. If you could achieve anything.
If you could achieve anything that you wanted over the next 10 years what top 50 things would you pick?
Let your mind wander here, use what is called " the magic of thinking big". What kind of car would you drive? Would you like to own an apartment in the sun? What countries would you like to visit? What people would you like to meet? Maybe you would have no credit card debts, or what bank balance would you like to have? What position would you have in a company, or maybe it is your company? What salary would you have? What kind of relationship would you have with your family, or with your partner? What plays, concerts or galleries would you go to? What books would you read? Just keep writing down everything you want as if you could not fail, as if you were granted 50 wishes.
Try to write as fast as you can but do not stop until you have 50.
3. Time frame.
Beside each item write the time frame you would like to achieve it in 1,3,5, or 10 years.
4. Top Ten 1 year goals.
Next, write your top ten 1 year goals on a piece of paper. If you have not got at least ten 1 year goals, spend some more time until you do, truly believe that you are designing your best year ever.
Then pick your top four 1 year life changing goals that you want to achieve.
5. Why are the goals important to you?
Jim Rohn said "When the whys get stronger the hows get easier".
Visualise each goal and get passionate about each one. Write a paragraph about each of your four 1 year goals and explain why you are totally committed to achieving each one.
6. You need to change.
"If you keep do the same things the same way, you will keep getting the same results".
On a new page write down what kind of person you must become so that you will achieve all of your goals.
What new skills will you need, what books will you need to read? What friends will you have? What old habits will you stop, and what new habits will you start? In short, what person do you need to become to achieve everything that you want. The main reason for making goals is to invite you to become the person it takes to achieve them.
7. Take action.
Starting from today, not tomorrow! Take one action step towards achieving each of your goals.
You might want to check out a personal development course online, or buy a book, maybe you need to get the new BMW catalogue, or get a holiday brochure for Egypt, or maybe you will open up a new savings account. Whatever action step you can think of, just do it! Go for it. Take that first step today. Once you do, you will never forget it.
8. Remind yourself.
So many times people write down a set of goals only for them to be lost at the back of a drawer or in an old notebook a few days or weeks later.
I recommend that you:
•Write down your four 1 year goals and keep them with you in your wallet or purse.
•Read them first thing in the morning, and at the end of every week to see if you are taking enough active steps towards their successful completion. •Tell your closest friends about your goals.
•Use your journal to keep track of your progress and for any new ideas that you get.
•Have your four 1 year goals saved on your computer screen at home, and save them in your phone as a memo.
•You should celebrate the successful achievement of any of your goals.
• Once a goal is achieved you should go back to your original list and add a new 1 year goal to your list.
"Goals. There's no telling what you can do when you get inspired by them. There's no telling what you can do when you believe in them. And there's no telling what will happen when you act upon them". Jim Rohn
Get passionate, believe in yourself and enjoy
Damien
