Interview With Mark Joyner - Advice on Goal Setting and Achieving Success

Mark Joyner is the #1 bestselling author of over a dozen books that have been translated into 23 languages. His books are read by entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 executives alike, and have been used as text books in universities around the world. He is the founder and CEO of Construct Zero, tech incubator and philanthropic research center. Their largest company, Simpleology, offers free software that lets you get 8 hours of work done in 2 hours -- you can get it here.

Josh Hinds: Why is Goal Setting important for success?

Mark Joyner: That question presupposes that it is. There are some people that are very successful without setting goals at all. Before we can say what is important for success we first have to define “success.” That definition is going to be different for everyone – and there’s a secret right there: figure out what you want. With that said, setting goals won’t hurt – as long as they are inspiring and attainable.

Josh Hinds: What do you believe are the necessary ingredients to ensure one achieves the goals they set for themselves?

Mark Joyner: Clarity, Inspiration, Attainability… It’s unlikely any goals without these elements will be hit.

Josh Hinds: How do you set goals? Do you have any special techniques or strategies that work best for you?

Mark Joyner: what we teach in Simpleology 101 explains the whole philosophy – but put simply: I think things to be clear, attainable, and short term. I also like to clear everything else from my path. The small distractions of the day add up to a life of zero accomplishment. Mastery over those minutia is essential.

Josh Hinds: Can you share an example where you've seen goal setting pay off with positive results?

Mark Joyner: Sure – years ago I set out with the ambition to become a #1 bestselling author. That’s clear enough, but I had to define what that means, how it can be attained, and then create a plan for attaining it. I did just that and now I’m a #1 bestselling author 4 times over – and my books are available in 23 languages, often used as university texts. I didn’t plan for those last benefits.

It goes to show that sometimes setting an audacious goal will pay off more than you expect. Just make sure you believe you can do it – and make it short term. I have serious doubts about the effectiveness of very long term goals. Life is too transient for them to remain relevant for long.

Yours in goal setting, Josh Hinds

-What was the biggest lesson you learned from the ideas Mark shared in his interview above?

*brought to you by GoalsSuccess.com

Interview - Phil Gerbyshak Shares Ideas on Accomplishing Goals

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

*brought to you by GoalsSuccess.com