This month's topic is GOALS.

We need goals to thrive. Goals challenge us and help us create our own lives.

I learned something very interesting recently. People tend to vastly underestimate what they can achieve in five years, and vastly overestimate what they can achieve in one to six months. This creates a cycle whereby people set high goals for the short term, fail to reach them, lose confidence in their ability, and eventually come to stop planning.

I've been considering the implications of this finding, how much more we can achieve over time by planning, taking it step by step, and remaining mindful of the process. This has given me the courage to set lofty long term goals - huge, life of my dreams goals - and the focus, mindset and energy I need to take today's small steps. This has been challenging and extremely rewarding.

So, consider using this mailing as an opportunity to begin setting and pursuing the goals that will put you in control and move you toward the life you really want. The rest of this letter is designed to help you get started. Even if you're not used to setting goals, I invite you to take this challenge. It will be worth it.

And if you would like, let me know how it's going. I'd love to hear from you.

*SMART Goals:

You can stack the odds of attaining your goals by making them SMART.

SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Action Oriented, Realistic and Timely.

Specific: Be precise and record exactly what you want.

Measurable: In order to assess your progress and possibly modify your goal, include the milestones by which you'll judge your success. Consider amounts, times, days, etc. To be successful is not a measurable goal, but to have 3 more clients or to increase productivity by 10% is measurable.

Action Oriented: Your goal is useless unless it lends itself to action planning. What are the steps that you will take in order to attain your goal?

Realistic: This does not mean think small - it means be realistic. When your goal is SMART, you can achieve great things. Research reveals that people are more motivated and active when pursuing goals and action steps that are not too easy, and not too hard. Think - challenging!

Timely: Set time guidelines for attainment of your goal. You want that new website up and running - by WHEN? You will start going to the gym twice a week, WHEN?


For example, "Be more active" is a not a SMART goal. "Walk in the park for 30 minutes during my lunch break three times a week this month" is a SMART goal.


*Various interpretations of the acronym SMART have been suggested. Any one that helps you get and stay on track is useful. I like this one.

Your Action Challenge!

How about setting a goal (or three) for yourself.

Remember, if you are not used to setting goals and planning actions, this may be uncomfortable for you, that's normal. You can accept that discomfort and go for it anyway.

Follow these 7 guidelines and you'll be well on your way!

1) Remember the purpose of your goal - what will it do for you - not your spouse, parent, child, or boss. Your goal must be personally meaningful for you to have the motivation and energy to go for it. Take a moment and allow yourself to get charged up about your goal.

2) Be sure to make your goal SMART.

3) Consider what support you will need to have in place to achieve your goal.

4) Decide how you would like to be held accountable for your goal.

5) Determine the steps that are necessary to achieve your goal - remember - make them challenging but not overwhelming.

6) Write it all down.

7) Now, choose a first step, an immediate action you can take, and GO FOR IT!

Quotes about Goals

"A goal is a dream with a deadine." Napolean Hill.

"It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan." Eleanor Roosevelt.

"If you have built castles in the air your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them."
Henry David Thoreau.

"You've got to be careful if you don't know where you're going, cause you might not get there."
Yogi Berra

Click below for links to other sites that may interest you

www.mygoals.com

www.briantracy.com