Phil Gerbyshak is the founder of the Make It Great! Institute and a self-proclaimed relationship geek; someone who knows all the tools, but also knows that people are what really matter in business, and in life. Phil enjoys helping others learn the simple strategies and tactics that make life great. You can visit him at PhilGerbyshak.com

Josh Hinds: Why is Goal Setting important for success?

Phil Gerbyshak: If you can see it, you can achieve it. A goal written down makes a dream visible, and lets you see what you’re aiming it. Think of goal setting as a treasure map. The better the goal you set, the more specific of a goal you set, the better you can visualize it, and the greater chance you have of achieving it. That’s why goal setting is so important.

Josh Hinds: In your opinion why do you think so many well intentioned people fall short of the goals they set for themselves?

Phil Gerbyshak: I fall short of the goals I set because I lose focus, and I get distracted by the latest “shiny object” or whatever is new and fun for me. I fall short because I don’t stay the course to the end. I also sometimes fall short because I lose momentum and get right to the end, but not quite.

Both of these problems can be overcome by finding great partners to help you be accountable and achieve your goals, and this is something I am committed to doing in 2010 and beyond!

Josh Hinds: Can you share your best advice on goal setting?

Phil Gerbyshak: Three pieces of advice on goal setting have stuck with me over the years:

First, be as specific as possible in the end of your goal… but don’t worry so much about the process. Stay focused on that end, and success will come.

Second, goals need rewards for achieving them. Sometimes the thrill of accomplishing a goal is reward enough, and sometimes you need something else to keep you driving towards what you seek.

Last but most importantly, don’t do it alone. Share your goals with people who can help you be accountable to your goal. Ask for help when you fall down. And if you have a goals partner, you have someone to share your successes and struggles with. And life is way more fun when you can share it with someone great!

Josh Hinds: Can you share an example where you’ve seen goal setting pay off?

Phil Gerbyshak: I’m leaving my day job as of May 28th, 2010. It’s been a 2 year goal to be a professional speaker and coach full-time. I put it out there and gave my manager my two year notice back in 2008. I’ve told everyone I know about my goal, even though they thought I was completely crazy for giving a two year notice.

I wrote 2 books, have done more than 60 speeches, written more than 1000 articles, and connected with thousands of people who have offered advice and encouragement on taking the next step.

Now I’m just a few days from seeing my goal become a reality. And I couldn’t be MORE excited!

-what are your thoughts on the ideas Phil shared above? Going forward look for ways you can put to use the ideas he shared in your own life.

Yours in goal setting success, Josh Hinds

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