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Author: Ed Sykes Article source: http://www.hotlib.com/. Used with author's permission.
"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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