| I think that we would all agree that goal setting is | | | | goal to win Lotto. But you can set a goal to make |
| definitely something that will help to direct our future. | | | | new friends, have better relationships, improve your |
| We've all read the self-help books, heard the | | | | career, your financial situation, and improve the |
| speakers, watched the DVD's, and listened to the | | | | quality of your life. But leave the Lotto to luck! |
| audios. You know the routine. Fail to plan and plan to | | | | I believe that when you are setting short term goals |
| fail. Steps to Success...and on and on and on. | | | | that you need to look at the parts of your life that |
| I've decided that I think one of the most important | | | | are the least satisfying today. Don't try to become |
| parts of goal setting is setting the most important | | | | the next Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Arnold |
| and first step. You guessed it! Setting the goal to set | | | | Schwartzeneger, and Don Juan all in the next week. I |
| the goals. Everyone I know is busy with day-to-day | | | | always say that you should start with the part of |
| life. Getting up, going to work, coming home, dinner, | | | | your life that is the most painful and work from |
| a little television and off to bed to start over again. | | | | there. It is important not to put yourself in an |
| Life is what happens when we have other plans. So | | | | overload state. I've been there and done that. Don't |
| how do I set my goals? | | | | try to diet, work out, work harder, make more |
| Many years ago I hired a management consultant for | | | | money, and develop a new circle of friends all at |
| the staffing industry (my chosen career). She had | | | | once. Guaranteed, you'll go into an overload and give |
| recently started her own company and become very | | | | up before you accomplish any of the goals. |
| successful. Her experience and guidance remains with | | | | Once that you know what you want to change |
| me to this day--nearly 30 years later. So relax, take a | | | | most you need to close your eyes and see yourself |
| deep breath and here we go. | | | | in the future. What does it look like? What does it |
| One of the most important things is to find a place | | | | feel like? How will it make me feel? Use the old who, |
| that is totally removed from your normal | | | | what, where, when, and why? Who do I need to |
| environment. Go to the park. Sit on the beach. Be | | | | accomplish this? What do I want to accomplish? Why |
| someplace where you are removed from your daily | | | | do I want to do this? Where am I going to do it? |
| routine. Make an appointment with yourself to do | | | | Last, but not least, and perhaps the most important |
| this. Book it on your calendar, just as you would a | | | | part of your old school lesson--how will it make me |
| business meeting, interview, or conference call. | | | | feel when I accomplish this? Why do I need to |
| Believe me that this time will be as important as any | | | | accomplish this? |
| of those activities. | | | | Write down your goals. Identify when you want to |
| I always call me goal setting time my "Dare to | | | | accomplish them. Know how you will feel. See |
| Dream" session. My first session was with my | | | | yourself there. Feel it! It's the why that makes the |
| management consultant sitting by a swimming pool at | | | | difference. Make the goals measurable so that you |
| my condo building overlooking Boston Harbor. Find | | | | know you are on the right road. If you encounter |
| yourself a place that is both peaceful and motivating. | | | | stumbling blocks, don't be deterred. Review them and |
| It needs to be your own space for you and your | | | | analyze if you need to change the way you are |
| special thoughts. The next step is to remove | | | | trying to get there. Don't get stopped in your tracks. |
| yourself from the present. See yourself in the future. | | | | Every morning I wake up and one of the first things |
| That's when the fun begins. Let your emotions and | | | | I do, after pouring my cup of coffee, is to look at |
| thoughts feel where you want to be, touch it in your | | | | what my goals are and what I need to do today to |
| mind, and see yourself there. | | | | get there. You can too. All you need to do is |
| Start to think about both long and short term goals. | | | | recognize that the first step in getting there is to |
| Do you want it now, a year from now, or 10 years | | | | take the time to know what you want and spend |
| from now? Is it a realistic goal that stretches your | | | | time to figure out a road to success. Following the |
| abilities? Goals are like a triathalon. They need to be | | | | map isn't hard. Setting the destination and taking the |
| an attainable challenge. No, I don't believe I can set a | | | | time to do it is! |