Using Simple Controls to Achieve Your Goals By Josh Hinds

One of the real obstacles that stops so many people from achieving their goals is something that's actually pretty simple (as well as correctable) -- I'm talking about the lack of action day in and day out that is necessary if we wish to achieve our desired outcome.

I'm talking about procrastination, plain and simple. Why is it that some people seem to procrastinate less than others? Why is it that we find it easy to stay on task on some things, yet on others it's like pulling teeth to even get started on them?

There are literally a host of reasons as to why we may allow procrastination to creep in. Furthermore, each of the reasons as to why is likely to be quite different from person to person. Having said that, let's move beyond the "why" of what causes us not to work on a given task when we know deep down it is in our best interest to do so - and focus on some effective ways to get our action steps done in spite of whatever particular form of procrastination we may deal with.

First off, we have to understand that even though we may dread doing something, once we have completed it quite often we are rewarded with a feeling of elation for having accomplished it.

Secondly, it is worth pointing out that quite often it's not as much that we couldn't have done the given task, but rather that we felt overwhelmed by it, and simply assumed that by replacing what we know we should do at that moment we went ahead and worked on something else instead.

In our mind it was simply easier to come back to the task at a later time. The problem then becomes that we rarely end up coming back to our original task. So the solution here is to create some simple controls for yourself to better ensure you keep the task you've set for yourself nearby.

Have you ever heard the saying, "the squeakiest wheel gets the oil"? In other words, whatever we remain focused on and keep clearly in mind has a far better chance of us actually taking the necessary action to complete it.

Here are a few examples of controls that you can adjust and apply in your own life. Rather than use these as absolutes, apply them to your own unique situation.

Let Alarms Keep You On Track ...

Say for example you want to get up earlier each morning. One control you could put in place would be to setup two alarm clocks. Setup one of the alarm clocks closer to where you sleep, and another in a place where you will have to actually get up to turn it off. You might even choose to set your cell phone or some other device to go off as well. This idea is equally as effective for making sure you are on time for appointments.

Egg Timers and Time Management ...

Let's say time management is something you want to work on. You could choose to use an egg timer to break your tasks into smaller more manageable bits of time. You would set the timer for say 30 minutes and simply continue without interruption on the task at hand until your "control/alarm" went off. Then you can repeat the process according to what best suits you.

Sticky Notes and Increased Productivity ...

How about another simple control you can try. Let's say you want to call on a set number of potential clients each day. One thing you could do would be to post a sticky note to yourself each day with the action steps you know you need to do for the following day. Now your friendly reminder is right there for you when you come in the next day.

In addition to the sticky note you could also write what needs to be done on a piece of paper and place it in your chair. The ideas are simple, but the reason they are so effective is that you are no longer allowing those things that you know you need to do to make their way out of your mind. Remember, out of sight, out of mind is a killer!

Above I've shared a few ideas that I hope have you thinking in terms of how you can apply them - and thus start accomplishing more of the goals you set for yourself. Friend, I assure you that they will work, as long as you commit to working them.

-- Here's to your success, Josh Hinds :-)

(c) All rights reserved

How to Conquer Intimidating Goals By Charles Burke

"Oh that would be too hard for me -- I could never learn to do that."

We've all heard these words... you may even have said them yourself. Tackling new skills can feel intimidating. But we only feel intimidated because we overestimate the task and underestimate our own abilities. We aren't confident enough in our natural abilities. Take learning to drive for example.

Today, millions of very mentally un-gifted people got into automobiles and drove them. And most of them had no accident today. So how hard can it be?

Or maybe you're thinking of writing a book. Millions of people every year write books.

Millions more:

* save money

* start businesses

* find jobs

* lose weight

* get into shape

* discover someone to love

* get married

* find a way to attend school

* start new careers

And many other things you may have been thinking are too hard, too complicated, too far beyond you.

The truth is, they're not beyond you at all.

DO THIS:

What have you been holding yourself back from doing? No, you don't have to list EVERYTHING you're putting off. Just take the top one.

First:

Whatever it is, write it down on a piece of paper.

Second:

Now think of somebody who isn't particularly smart, but who is now doing the very thing you want to do.

Been putting off learning to drive? Look at all the idiots on the road who somehow manage to get from here to there without wrecking the countryside.

What about marriage? True, most people botch it completely, but many millions actually do get it right and live in happiness.

Or maybe you're putting off starting your own business. Same thing -- you've met people barely clever enough to get in out of the rain, but they have businesses. And they haven't gone bankrupt -- at least not yet.

Chances are, the one thing you're lacking is not intelligence, nor ability, nor talent. Training is no real stumbling block, either, since people regularly go get the same training you're wanting.

No, you're probably only lacking permission. You're waiting around for somebody to validate you, then pick you up and prove to you that you can do it.

It ain't gonna happen that way. The good news is, it doesn't HAVE to happen that way.

All it takes is just deciding you'll do it. Then just begin.

Several years ago someone told me a great two-step formula for success in any field.

Step one is start; step two is don't stop.

So we come to...

Third:

Make a beginning, no matter how awkward, then just keep moving forward in the direction you want to go.

Honestly, it's just about that simple.

While great intelligence can make things simpler, it can also make things much more difficult if you never learn to use it FOR yourself instead of against.

Please notice that beginnings are almost always awkward. That's okay. Give yourself permission to be a beginner when you begin. And if you feel a compulsion to be perfect, then just be a perfect beginner.

But do keep moving... forward.
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Charles Burke is the author of Command More Luck, the book that shows you why all those things keep happening to you. Learn why "luck" doesn't work the way you've always been told. Not even close. The bad news -- There's no such thing as luck. The good news -- There's something even better. Learn how it works at www.MoreLuck.com

Reach Your Goals For Success Step By Step By Kathryn Thomas

You have a dream! Now, how do you make it happen?

First, imagine that it is real. See every detail so clearly that you can reach out and touch it. You can feel the emotions of being there.

For example, if you want a certain car, then what kind is it? What color is it? Imagine you are sitting in it like you will when it is brand new. How does it feel? How does it smell? Go for a drive in your car. If it's a convertible, drive with the top down!

Experience the wind blowing in your face and through your hair. Hear the sounds around you. If you can take a real test drive in one, do that! Get a picture and post it where you will see it each day.

Do this visualization several times a day until it becomes part of you. This action is important because your subconscious will help enable you to reach your goals to achieve your dream.

Next, break the big dream down into specific, measurable goals to get you there. If you are dreaming of something that costs a certain amount of money, like the car, you will set a date on when you want to have this money.

Once you have your date, then break your timeline down into segments. Perhaps you set the date one year from today. So the next step is to break that down into a goal for each month, then a goal for each week, then a goal for each day. It may be easier to start with the days, and then multiply out to the weeks and months.

Now that you know what your specific timeline is, you need to determine the specific actions you can take to reach each specific goal. If it is a money goal, like in the example above, you know how much money you need to put away each day. So now you need to figure out what actions you need to take each day in order to be able to do that.

If your goal is accomplishing a project, your timeline will be broken down into different steps you need to finish in order to get the whole project done.

For example, if you are writing a book, you may need to do some research before you can write it. So the first major accomplishment on your way to that goal is to complete the research. Then you need to set a time to complete your basic outline. Then a time to complete each chapter. Then a time for editing.

You can break each major step down into little steps that must be done each day in order to complete the entire book by your target date.

Now that you see what you will need to do each day in order to achieve your big goal, ask yourself if each day's task is reasonable. Be truthful. If you know you can do what is required each day, then you have your plan.

If it will be very difficult to meet each day's requirement, then extend your timeline until you have something you know you can do every day. This way, you are setting yourself up for sure success!

It's just like the ancient philosopher said: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." No matter how big your dream is, if you break it down into baby steps that you can do each day, you will find your journey to success filled with the joy of achieving many goals.

Reaching your smaller goals will, indeed, assure you that you are on your way to reaching your dream! You will gain the confidence you need to continue and receive the desire you need to do whatever actions are required each day!

Celebrate achieving even the little goals, and enjoy your journey to your certain success!
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Get your Free Success 6-Pack and discover more ways to Reach Your Goals For Success at Success-Guides.com. You'll find Guides, Quotes, the Newsletter, an Article Library & a Blog for your Success!

Goal Setting And Value Identification Lead To More Meaning and Purpose By Terry Vermeylen

Life seems to hurtle by us these days. To keep up with our frantic-paced life, our ever-changing technological society has given us radical tools to work, plan and supposedly become more efficient.

Computers, cell phones, Palm Pilots and pagers are just a few examples of gadgets that keep us connected, sometimes 24/7. Information whizzes by us at a mind-numbing rate from Internet news sites, work computer systems, E-mail at work, E-mail at home, not to mention pagers, to do lists and pop up reminders. All in the name of efficiency.

Work demands that we do more in less time and the global village keeps us all connected with instant news. More and more of us are reeling from information overload, feeling exhausted and possibly headed for burn out.

So what can we do to slow down the onslaught on our time and get back to what really matters? Do we continue to plug in to our to do lists on our Palm Pilot and cram as much into each day as possible?

Is there any meaning and purpose to our lives? Are we living according to our core values? Have we even the time as a society to reflect on these incredibly important questions?

Meaning and purpose – Who am I?

Finding any type of meaning and purpose requires us to step back from the daily pressures of life and find out what is truly important.

It means to detach yourself from your belongings and look a little deeper than the house, car, paycheck or job that you own. Introspection isn’t an easy process. This is the beginning of a spiritual journey, the first key to lasting change.

Without taking the time to reflect, we may one day wake up from our busy lives and realize we are living a hollow life. Very simply, ask yourself who you are. Do it now: “Who am I?”

Perhaps you are a father, an adventurer, an entrepreneur, or a musician. Perhaps you are also a philosopher, athlete, programmer, gardener or writer.

You may also feel compassion, love, ambition, or any other deep-rooted emotion. Take a few minutes and in one simple sentence describe who you are.

Describing who you are is the first step towards finding meaning and purpose. Who you are will also certainly help answer the question of “why am I here.”

Meaning and Purpose – Values.

Now that you know who you are, how do you live up to that statement? Knowing your values is the next step to creating a life filled with meaning and purpose.

Knowing and living by your values is all about retaining your personal power. Your values reflect the true you and every time you don’t live by them, or someone takes them away, your personal power diminishes. Sounds like something Superman has doesn’t it? Personal power.

Say, for example, you have a value called control. Control to you means leaving the office at a reasonable hour to see your family. All of a sudden your new boss wants you to stay late every night.

By easily giving in to his demands you have now lost some of your personal power. Your values and personal power are very intertwined.

Do you spend your time living according to your values? Do you know your values? Do you value freedom, beauty, appreciation, and compassion? Interesting question, isn’t it?

And your values will certainly change as you grow. Being a bachelor as opposed to a family man might bring two different sets of values.

Meaning and Purpose – Goals.

OK, so you have your who am I statement, and your core values written out. How do we live up to these, and continue to grow as a human being?

With goal setting, of course. Goal setting without knowing who you are, and your values, is like shooting blindly in the dark. There is no target, no direction, just random goals based on the flavour of the month.

By knowing who you are and your core values, your goals are always in tune with the true you and a life filled with meaning and purpose.

So, maybe in your who am I statement you have described yourself as a father and an outdoors person with one of your core values being beauty. Maybe a weekly hike in the woods with the family would be a goal.

Now you have truly opened the door to what is truly meaningful to you. Having taken the time to reconnect with the true you through these exercises, isn’t goal setting that much easier?

In our North American schools we concentrate almost entirely on academics. But being such complex creatures with an infinite amount of choices, why don’t we spend more time educating ourselves on the three questions that really matter?

Who am I?
What are my core values?
What are my goals?
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Terry Vermeylen is one of those rare people that is passionately driven to help others unlock their own barriers toward fulfillment, meaning and purpose. He is the founder of MyLifeChanges.com, an Internet value identification and goal setting enterprise.

SMARTER Goal Setting - A Key to Making It Great! By Phil Gerbyshak

In the past, I've written about SMART goal setting, but after much reading and thought, I realize now that goals need to be SMARTER in order to be most successful.

SMARTER goals, broken down:

S - Goals must be Specific and the more specific the better. State your goal in as exact of terms as possible.

M - Targets should be Measurable. That which you measure will be treasured, so think about what will be the measurement of your achievement of your goal.

A - Goals should have Accountability. Who or what are you accountable to for the goal?

R - Goals must be Realistic. Unrealistic goals will lead to discouragement.

T - Targets should be Time based. Decide your time-table for completion, and stick to it.

E - Goals should be Exciting. Exciting goals will be met far sooner than boring, bland goals.

R - Goals should be Recorded, in a place where you can look at it every day.

OK, so let's break down one of my goals for 2006, and see how this works in action.

I will earn by Competent Toast Master (CTM) designation by December 1st, 2006.

Specific - Yes, this is very specific. It says exactly what I am going to do.

Measurable - Yes, this is measurable. CTM designation is something that takes 10 speeches to do in Toastmasters, so if I do these 10 speeches, this goal will be achieved.

Accountability - I'm sharing it with you, so I'm accountable to all of you. I'm also including this in my goals at work, as public speaking is part of what I do, and letting my Toastmasters Mentor know about my goal (I'm sending him this post), so I am accountable to many others.

Realistic - This is absolutely a realistic goal for me. I have given 2 speeches in 2005, so I have to increase my output 4 times. I can do this, but it will take effort.

Exciting - Definitely an exciting goal for me to achieve. As a new Toastmaster, I will be able to improve my speaking ability by doing this, and it will also help our club achieve more distinguished status.

Recorded - I wrote it down here, I'll be putting it on a note card with my other goals, it will be in my HR system at work, and I'll review it every day to remind myself of its importance.

So what goals are you setting in 2006? How can I help you set SMARTER goals? Let me know because I'd love to help you make it great!
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Phil Gerbyshak leads a team of IT help desk professionals in Milwaukee, WI, and finds that sharing his knowledge is a crucial component in his success as a leader and as a person. Phil's personal philosophy is paraphrased from Tim Sanders' fantastic book Love is the Killer App: "Share your knowledge, your network, and your love. The rest will follow." Read more of Phil's ideas at MakeItGreat.org


GOAL-SETTING Discussion ...

In an effort to get some collaboration going on here I'm planning to include a little blurb like the one above immediately following each post. The idea is simple, lets discuss what you read here, using the "comments" link below each post :-) -- As a result, we'll all be the better for it. Let me start it off...

What were your thoughts on the ideas above? How many of the ideas mentioned are you using in your own goal setting? Any specific goal setting tips you can share here with your fellow readers?

One thing that stood out in the article above was where Phil mentioned how he writes down his goals on a note card. I'm a big fan of using 3x5 cards to track my goals. As the saying goes, "out of sight, out of mind" -- using note cards is a good way to make sure your intended goals don't end up getting neglected.

I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts... To your goal-setting success, Josh Hinds :-)

Goals - Stay In Your Lane! By Edi Sowers

In working with my coaching clients, we spend a lot of time and energy in looking at their goals, both long-term and short-term.

I’ve observed an interesting phenomenon: focusing on your goal can actually result in you achieving the opposite of your desired outcome.

“What?!?!? I’ve always been told that I’m to keep my goals in clear sight: write them down, post them, review them regularly, stay focused like a laser on them! Now you’re telling me NOT to focus on my goals?”

Well, yes – and no.

Thirty years ago I learned a lesson in driver’s education class that would have application for the rest of my life. I was finally going to go out on the road to do in the car what we’d been learning in the classroom.

I was both excited and afraid. I had visions of my independence – wheeling around town, driving my car (well, driving my parent’s car!) When the instructor and I went to the road the first time, it wasn’t long until I had to tackle the essential driving skill of approaching an oncoming car on a two lane highway. I white-knuckled the steering wheel, and began to concentrate on avoiding that car coming at me. I wanted to be SURE I didn’t hit it! My goal – my desired outcome - was to avoid that oncoming car!

The more I focused, the more I began to veer closer and closer to the lane dividing line. Why was this happening??!!! I was trying SO hard to AVOID that car! The more I concentrated on avoiding what I feared most, the more it drew me in like a magnet.

I squeezed the steering wheel tighter and tighter, concentrated harder and harder, and veered closer and closer.

The instructor waited until just the right time to tell me that the way to avoid that oncoming car was to keep my focus on MY lane, and not to be so focused on that car. “Don’t look at it, because that will cause you to drive towards it. Look at your lane to stay in your lane.”

So, I shifted my focus. Instead of my goal being “avoid that oncoming car,” it became “stay in my lane.” I got back on track and relaxed. The oncoming car whizzed past at a very safe distance and I learned a lesson about driving and life that would stay with me forever.

The desired outcome of “avoid that oncoming car” and “stay in my lane” is the same: safe passage on the highway. The difference was in my focus, my goal.

Take a look at your life, your business, your priorities. What are your desired outcomes?

* Achieve a certain volume of sales in a given month.
* Recruit 10 new team members.
* Promotion to the next level or rank.
* Lose 20 pounds.
* Get my house in order.
* Train my children to be responsible citizens.

Work back from your stated desired outcome and evaluate HOW you have framed your goal statements.

Is your focus - “avoid the oncoming car”? or is it - “stay in my lane”? The first is fear-based. The second is progress-based.

If you want to make progress towards your desired outcome: Keep your eyes on your lane to stay in your lane.
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Edi Sowers coaches professional women who work from home and face the challenge of balancing their professional and personal priorities. Visit LifeHouseCoaching.com to sign up for "Blueprints for a Dream Life" and receive weekly articles, coaching tips and offers.