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?

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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

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Interview with Simon T. Bailey - Discussing Goal-setting

Simon T. Bailey is an internationally known speaker, author and consultant, he inspires individuals to take charge of change and transform their lives from the inside out. You can visit him at SimonTBailey.com.

While this is a very brief interview, I'm confident you will agree that Simon shares some great ideas when it comes to achieving goals.

Josh Hinds: What is goal setting?

Simon T. Bailey: It's laser focusing on one thing that matters the most to you.

Josh Hinds: Why is Goal Setting important for success?

Simon T. Bailey: It enables an individual to focus their energy on being effective instead of busy.

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

Simon T. Bailey: If it doesn't move you, make your hair blow in the wind, cause your heart to skip a beat then why do it anyway. It has to be something meaningful.

-I hope you've found the ideas helpful.

Yours in goal setting success, Josh Hinds

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Interview with Randy Gage on the topic of Goal Setting

Randy Gage has been helping people transform self-limiting beliefs into self-fulfilling breakthroughs to achieve their dreams for more than 20 years. Through his prosperity workshops, books and CDs, he travels the world teaching that health, happiness, and wealth are possible for all who desire it. Visit him at RandyGage.com.

Josh Hinds: Why is goal setting important?

Randy Gage: If you don't have a clear goal, you don't really know where you are going and what actions will get you there. Setting a goal programs your subconscious mind and causes you to take actions that bring you closer to it. It also gives you a scoreboard to follow and know where you are in relation to where you want to be.

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

Randy Gage: I think a lot of people don't do critical thinking about their goals and often just adopt ones they think will be acceptable to others. Many don't write them down and clarify them. Your goals need to be bold and real to you, so they pull you toward them.

Josh Hinds: Do you have any specific techniques or systems people could put into place that would help them achieve the goals they set?

Randy Gage: I am a big believer in reinforcement things such as affirmations, prosperity maps, daily mantras, pictures on your refrigerator, mirror, steering wheel, etc. The more you feed your dream, the more emotional it becomes and emotion is a big driver to keep you focused and active.

Josh Hinds: Randy, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas on goal-setting. Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers along these same lines that would be helpful?

Randy Gage: I like to cover both bases and use negative and positive reinforcement for my goals. I will often "paint myself into a corner" by committing publicly to having something done by a certain date. This creates pressure in a good way to keep me working towards accomplishment of the goal.

I also use positive reinforcement, giving myself rewards for goals. If it's a small goal I may promise myself to get a massage when it is accomplished. For major goals, I may give myself a Hawaiian vacation or even a new sports car. Doing both angles like this keeps me always achieving goals and setting the next ones.

-I hope you found the ideas Randy shared helpful. Remember that ideas alone won't create positive change -- it's the application & implementation of the ideas you learn that can allow you to reach your intended destination!

Yours in goal setting, Josh Hinds

PS. If you found the ideas above helpful, be sure to join our free Goal Setting and Motivation Newsletter!

Goal Setting - Interview with Michael Angier on Accomplishing Goals

Michael Angier is founder and CIO (Chief Inspiration Officer) of SuccessNet -- a support network helping people and businesses grow and prosper. You can visit him at SuccessNet.org.

Josh Hinds: What is goal setting and why is it important?

Michael Angier: Goal setting is simply the process of deciding specifically what you want to achieve and how you plan to achieve it. Sounds simple, doesn't it? And yet most people are never taught how important it is nor how to do it.

Most people spend more time planning their vacation than they do setting goals for the next year--say nothing of the next three, five or ten years. Without goal setting, the rest of the world is determining where you are going instead of you. Other events and other people direct your course instead of you determining your own.

Josh Hinds: If you could share only one piece of advice on setting and achieving goals what would it be?

Michael Angier: It's hard to pick just one, but I would have to say be very specific. I hang around mostly goal-oriented people so they are already in the top 10% of all
people.

But even within this group, I find far too many that do not have clear specific, measurable goals. When asked what their goals are, only a very small percentage can answer in a way that indicates they are clear and specific.

Our unconscious mind works on specificity. It does not do well with vague generalities. So get clear. Be specific. Make sure your goal is measurable and that when you share it with someone, they "get it".

Josh Hinds: How important has goal setting been in your own life--can you share how it's had an impact on you?

Michael Angier: I've always been a directed and purposeful individual. But that's not enough. It was when I learned about the power of goal setting--about writing them down, getting specific with a plan of action, that things took off for me.

I have not accomplished every goal I've gone after. But I have achieved more of them than I missed. And even the ones I have not achieved have moved me further along the path of my success. When I look back at my life, I can tell the times that I was really practicing my goal setting and when I was not.

Other than the intensity of my desire, goal setting has been the most important aspect of my success.

-I hope you found the ideas helpful as you pursue all your goals and dreams!

And remember...

It's your life, LIVE BIG! Josh Hinds

PS. if you enjoyed the ideas shared above, be sure to join our free goal-setting and motivation newsletter!


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