The Problem With Setting Goals
When was the last time you thought about setting some goals? If you are like the average person, you probably think about that daily. Since you are reading this blog, I must assume that you’re thinking about your goals now.
The unfortunate thing about goals is, they can become very overwhelming. You may have big dreams in mind, great aspirations, and the desire to achieving them, but you may get stuck in trying to put them into action.
Some people only think about setting goals during the holidays when they are prompted to set their New Year’s resolution. Those usually don’t last more than a few weeks, and most are put out of mind after the first few days. I have heard that only about 5% of people carry out their resolutions. The problem with setting goals once a year is that a lot of times, there is no plan of action.
Over the holidays, have you ever made a resolution such as, “I’m going to quit smoking,” or “I’m going to lose weight,” or “I’m going to spend more time with my family and friends?” Okay, that’s a start, but I can bet that was as far as it went.
Now you’re probably saying, “What’s with the New Year’s resolutions, Kay? It’s only July!” Yes it is, but I’m preparing you to get a jump start on 2010 because there’s no time like the present to get started. Right?
Now, here it is…a plan of action. I have incorporated 10 strategies in my POWERDRIVE to Success method of achieving goals. These are the 10 steps that are missing from 95% of people who make New Year’s resolutions, and those 10 steps are in the form of a plan of action. These will work whether you are 25 or 95. Goals don’t have to be focused around changing careers or moving up the corporate ladder. They can be personal goals such as taking up a hobby or getting organized around the house. So here they are:
P – Purpose. Your purpose in life has a significant correlation to your success in achieving goals. When you know what your purpose is in life, everything you do from that point forward that is directly related to your purpose has value and meaning.
O – Optimize your time. Understanding your internal clock and when you are most productive during the day can significantly affect how quickly you achieve your goals.
W – Write it down. You must write down your intentions. Unless you write down your goals, you will probably not achieve them. Remember, out of sight – out of mind.
E – Empower yourself. We all need to be empowered, but we must also learn to empower ourselves. Accepting responsibility for our own destiny and achieving our goals is empowering. When we allow others to steal our dreams, we risk giving in to our own negative self-talk and self-destructive behavior.
R – Release negative thoughts and fears. Our fears are often unrealistic and created from “dream stealers.” Learning to control our negative thoughts can help us move forward with our goals.
D – Dream Big! What we want, we can have. So if your dreams are small, you will get small things. If you are going to dream, dream big so big things begin to happen.
R – Relationships. Building relationships and connecting with people who see your vision and support your success helps you stay accountable for your actions. This brings greater success.
I – Immediate action. Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today? Procrastination is our enemy. Take action and do it now.
V – Visualize success. Have your dreams and goals visible to you everyday so you can be constantly reminded of what you want in life. Again, out of sight – out of mind, so know what you want and visualize it daily.
E – Everyday. Success comes from creating daily positive habits that contribute to your success. Doing something every day toward your goals will only create success that much faster.
Now, are you ready? If you start now, there’s no telling what you can make happen by January 1, 2010. Your dreams may have already manifested into reality.
For more information, go to www.powerdrivetosuccess.com.
