Goal setting is a powerful technique. Used properly it will accelerate your personal and professional growth. By deciding what you want to achieve and then taking action to move toward the end result, it gives you vision for the future and motivation for today. Goals are the foundation of my sales training.

Some goal setting benefits:

* Greater achievement
* More balance in your life
* Increased motivation
* Improved self-confidence
* Better decision making
* Better focus
* Improved time management
* Over all self improvement and success

Research shows that people who use effective goal setting:

* Have reduced stress and anxiety
* Concentrate better
* Are more confident
* Live happier and more satisfied lives

How to Set and Achieve Goals

Begin by setting goals in all six areas of your life:

* Family
* Financial
* Spiritual
* Physical
* Social
* Mental

Setting goals in every area will ensure more balance in your life. Think of each area as the spoke of a wheel. When you set goals in each area the wheel becomes round and begins to roll smooth and gains momentum. Therefore, accomplishing your goals becomes effortless and success in sales and other areas becomes inevitable.

Write your goals down. By writing out your goals you are creating a picture to impress upon your subconscious mind. Your subconscious mind will work to complete the picture, either positive or negative. The more positive your picture, the more positive your results.

Get a clear detailed picture of your goal. Write down in detail what you want to become, do or acquire. Instead of writing $100,000 in income, get specific on how many sales that is, the benefits your clients will receive, how it will make you feel. Focus on the outcome without worrying about how it will happen. Leave the how's to your subconscious mind to work out.

Close your eyes and visualize how your life will change when you earn $100,000 per year. How will you feel, act and look? Spend time everyday visualizing the outcome and continue to refine your written goal. Use these goal setting strategies for all the areas of your life.

"The secret to productive goal setting is in establishing clearly defined goals, writing them down and then focusing on them several times a day with words, pictures and emotions as if we've already achieved them." Denis Waitley, Author and Speaker

When you've created a clear picture in your mind of the outcome, then start taking actions. Listen to the little voice inside. Will this action bringing you closer or further away from your goal? Don't be concerned if you stray off course. Make adjustments along the way. Planes are off course 95% of the time in flight. The pilot constantly makes adjustments to get to the destination.

Take time every day to refine your goals. Think Big! "As long as you're going to go about your day thinking anyway, you might as well "think big". Many people think small and look where it gets them. What's the worst that can happen? As the saying goes, "if you shoot for the moon and miss, you'll land among the stars".

Goal setting is a choice. It's a choice between taking the time to set goals the right way and having what you want or not setting goals and wanting what you have.