Sep 19 2007
Some Thoughts On Personal Goal Setting
“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cheshire Cat
“I don’t much care where” said Alice
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat
“– So long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as an explanation
“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat “If you only walk long enough.”
Lewis Carroll
(Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland)
Sound familiar? Well it doesn’t have to be like that: Every successful person you know has a game plan and maybe you should think about having one too! Here is how I plan:
Always begin with long-term goals and work backwards. Your long-term goals are probably the most difficult to set anyway, so if you set those first, you accomplish the tough stuff right up-front.
Long-term goals should be five-year projections and three areas you may want to consider when you set them are personal accomplishments, status symbols and net worth.
Medium-term goals are usually three year projections and the same criteria can be used - but again think productivity not production and consider the activity that will be necessary to achieve success.
Short-term goals will demand most of your attention and these are usually a twelve-month projection although you can set ‘immediate goals’ which have a 90-day projection.
You must believe you can achieve all of your goals - otherwise you will not achieve them.
Setting a Well Balanced Diet of Goals:
It is essential to set personal as well as career goals to keep your life well balanced. If all your goals are connected to your commercial life, you will have trouble taking time out for family and friends because you will always be pushing towards the next career goal.
Remember:
Work smarter not harder. Setting personal goals gives you a life after business.
Put Your Goals in Writing:
Once you have formulated your goals it is time to make your final commitment to them by putting them down in writing. This is undoubtedly the single most important step in goal setting because until they are inscribed somewhere they are merely wishes and dreams.
After you have written them down, your mind will start seeking out whatever it will take to make them a reality.
Remember:
The moment you start moving forward towards a goal, is the moment you start to succeed.
Today’s News: I think it would be interesting to share with you my current reading and so from next week, Wednesday shall become known as “The JF Book Review Day“ There are just so many good sales/business related books around at the moment, but finding the time to locate them, let alone read them, is a challenge - but by committing to share what’s new and what’s good with you, I will force myself to allocate more reading time, so we both win :-) PS: I am reading an absolute belter at the moment, but you will have to wait until next Wednesday to find out!
Tomorrow: Occupying the “JF Guest Author Spot” is a new friend and a networking guru, Michael J Hughes.
