Another great guest post by Mel Reed. This one adresses the importance of proper goal setting and implementation using goal cards. This is a great lesson for business people, homemakers, teens, seniors, and anyone looking to follow through with their resolutions this year...
How will you measure your progress in 2009?
At the end of the year some people indulge in making New Year's resolutions. They promise themselves they're going to stop stuffing their faces with all sorts of snacks before bedtime, get to the gym more often, sleep more, increase their income, develop better relationships, and a bunch of other stuff. I know I am talking to someone here that has done this, and I want to ask a Dr. Phil question here, "How's that working for you?" Did you keep your resolutions or are you still stuck in the same rut? The difference between a rut and a grave is the rut at least has both ends kicked out!
Gonna, Wanna, Shoulda, Woulda?
A year later, most of us are still wishing we were in better shape, still working too hard, and not making as much as we think we should. Maybe you're the exception, but hardly anyone I know actually keeps New Year's resolutions and the rest don't make them. Why?
I think one of the reasons this happens is that most people set goals that are in the future. Goals that sound like:
"I am going to loose 14 pounds."
"I want to earn 50% more than I did last year."
"I will get more involved with church."
Get the picture? It all sounds very vague - too vague for your subconscious mind to get to work on actually achieving these goals. Listen. Gonna and Wanna are not a couple if brothers from some foreign county, but it is what many of us say when we address future objectives and goals. It sounds too much like tomorrow, and we know tomorrow never really comes!
A Process to Keep Your Promises to Yourself - Goal Cards
Here is a process that will actually help you reach your goals in 2009. Write them in the past tense, as if you'd already accomplished them.
Past Tense Goal: I have lost 14 lbs and look great!
Then Date it and use a date in the future: July 8, 2009
Then Sign it: Mel Reed (use your own name, OK?)
I would suggest you use a goal card. A 3X5 card so you can write it down (past tense), and commit to your goal (your signature). I have followed this process for years and it works!
This goal on a 3X5 card would look something like this:
State GOAL:
I have lost 14 pounds and look great.
Date: 7-8 -09 Signed: Mel Reed
SMART GOALS
Specific - State clearly what you accomplished
Measurable - Include a way to measure your goal
Attainable - Your capabilities - Your control (you can do this!)
Relevant - You will make it a priority (It must be important to you)
Time - Specific - Deadline (Future Date)
State your goals in the PAST TENSE:
"I have built my list of qualified prospects to over 500."
"I have increased my income by 50%."
"I am more involved with my family than I have ever been."
"I automated my business so I work only 5 days a week."
See the difference? When you list your goals as accomplishments, you tell your mind to believe you're already there. Instead of anticipating all the effort required and all the obstacles between you and your goals, visualize yourself already where you want to be. It gives you the mindset you need for success.
Take the Steps to Success:
List the personal and business goals you'll have reached by this time next year. Be specific. Instead of "I want to make more money" or "I want to work less", write down goals like, "I increased my take home pay last year by 50%."
GO AHEAD before you read any further! Make a list of your accomplishments for this coming year, write them down.
ACTION STEPS:
1. What do you need to do to reach each of your goals? (Resources)
2. What knowledge and skills are required? (Additional training)
3. What tasks will you need help with? (Outsource until you can hire)
4. What kind of advice do you need? (Experts in the field)
Most people do not plan to fail, they just fail to plan. If you want 2009 to be more successful than 2008, you need to think differently and plan differently. Fresh ideas and increased your skill set may be just what the doctor ordered to better ways to organize your business. You may want to even a coach to get the year off to a fresh start. Check out www.TrainTheBest.com . Create a mindset of success that will last all year long.
Here is to your success,
"Coach" Mel Reed
P.S. Here is the BAD NEWS! Only 10% of the entrepreneurs, business owners and people who read the above article will ever be truly successful. Most will sit on their hands, won't take action and won't follow through. They tell themselves, it's too much work, it's too risky, or that they don't have the time. You and I know that these are excuses and excuses are like armpits, most people have a couple and they normally stink!
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Do You Have A Question For Mel?
Drop him a line at: melreed@.trainthebest.com he'll do his best to include it in an upcoming article.
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One Goal Setting Technique that will Bring Success in the Coming Year
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