It's TIME!
Take out your plan of action you created for the last 3 months, and take a look at it. How did your progress match up against your goals? CELEBRATE your achievements!! Congratulations!!
Now take a look at where you didn't quite arrive. Identify why that happened. There are many reasons:
- your expectations were too high or unrealistic
- unexpected life happenings
- you didn't follow your plan ...
Don't dwell on what didn't happen - - dwelling on it won't change things.
Instead, grab a sheet of paper and write down your goals for the next 3 months.
What will your life look like on July 1? What will your financial situation be? Your career? Your family? Your spiritual life? How will you have contributed to your community?
THREE STEPS to ACHIEVE:
DECIDE
Write down your goals. Post them where you will see them regularly. Bathroom mirror with a dry-erase marker is a great spot! As is your fridge, in your office, by your bed, keep a copy in your wallet.
DO
Plan your Work, Work your Plan. What ACTIONS will you take to achieve your goals? Knowing what you want isn't enough, you're going to have to put some work in to it.
Then DO it. Day after day, stick to your plan. Don't fret over 'is it working' ... you have 3 months to test it out, so get to work, give it a fair chance to work for you, and like Nike says, Just DO It!
DEVELOP
On July 1, you'll get to do this all over again. You may need to make adjustments: You will have achieved some goals and will need to write new ones; Some of your goals may change; and You may find you need to adjust or change your activities to achieve your goals. That's perfectly and wonderfully normal.
What are you waiting for? Let's DO this!
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
DECIDE - DO - DEVELOP
I recently completed a fitness program - a 60-day, intensive workout plan - and I enjoyed success and made great strides towards my health goals. Every day, at the beginning of the workout, these three words scrolled across my tv screen in large letters: Decide - Commit- Succeed.
I decided in January on the program I wanted to use, I committed myself to completed it, and guess what - I achieved success.
It rang so true to me as I have been speaking on the three steps to success in any area, only I use the words DECIDE - DO - DEVELOP. Here's what I mean:
Firstly, you must DECIDE what it is that you want. Set your goals. It's not enough to have a general idea, because with a general idea you are only generally committed and when the going gets tough (and it always does when your goal is worthwhile pursuing), you won't be committed, and you'll stop doing.
Then you must DO. Get into action! I see so many people falter here. If this is your hang-up; if you can't seem to get yourself into action, I suggest going back to your goals and digging deeper to find something that motivates you.
And along the way, DEVELOP. This is a two-faceted step. Firstly, you will work on YOU - personal and professional development. Successful people are always looking to improve. Listen to audios, read books. And take steps to "becoming". Secondly, your 'plan of action' will change over time - you will make modifications based on what you've experienced, what factors have changed, and how you've "become". You will constantly be in development phase. This should come as a great relief to those of you with "Analysis Paralysis" -- you don't need to have a PERFECT plan to get started, because your plan will change over time no matter what, so just get started already!
Three steps: DECIDE - DO - DEVELOP. Know what you want, get to work achieving it, modify your plan along the way. And celebrate your tremendous SUCCESS!!
I decided in January on the program I wanted to use, I committed myself to completed it, and guess what - I achieved success.
It rang so true to me as I have been speaking on the three steps to success in any area, only I use the words DECIDE - DO - DEVELOP. Here's what I mean:
Firstly, you must DECIDE what it is that you want. Set your goals. It's not enough to have a general idea, because with a general idea you are only generally committed and when the going gets tough (and it always does when your goal is worthwhile pursuing), you won't be committed, and you'll stop doing.
Then you must DO. Get into action! I see so many people falter here. If this is your hang-up; if you can't seem to get yourself into action, I suggest going back to your goals and digging deeper to find something that motivates you.
And along the way, DEVELOP. This is a two-faceted step. Firstly, you will work on YOU - personal and professional development. Successful people are always looking to improve. Listen to audios, read books. And take steps to "becoming". Secondly, your 'plan of action' will change over time - you will make modifications based on what you've experienced, what factors have changed, and how you've "become". You will constantly be in development phase. This should come as a great relief to those of you with "Analysis Paralysis" -- you don't need to have a PERFECT plan to get started, because your plan will change over time no matter what, so just get started already!
Three steps: DECIDE - DO - DEVELOP. Know what you want, get to work achieving it, modify your plan along the way. And celebrate your tremendous SUCCESS!!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Discipline
I have a favourite story about self-discipline that one of my favourite people shared with me one day (not just with me, with an entire room while she was presenting). You see this gal's father has always displayed a tremendous amount of self-discipline his entire life, and she felt that to be an area lacking for her. So she asked her father one day HOW exactly he found it within himself to be so disciplined. His answer:
"It's not easy; I just decide I'm going to do it and I do it."
"It's not easy; I just decide I'm going to do it and I do it."
Monday, June 28, 2010
Are you playing the "What if..." Game?
It's Monday. On Mondays, I always like to revisit the past week, and get the "new" week off to the best start. Today is a bit of a double-whammy, because we're nearing the end of June, and I am now looking at the past month and looking for finish strong.
What were your goals for June? Did you write them down? Did you re-write them every day? Did you build your plan to accomplish those goals, and then put that plan into action? If so, you are likely looking at your list of goals, and celebrating your accomplishments.
But what if you didn't make goals, write them down, build and act on a plan. What if you aren't celebrating your accomplishments as we close out the month of June, and the first half of 2010?
NO WORRIES!
Firstly, it will do you absolutely no good to dwell on the past, wishing you'd done this or that, thinking "If only I'd ....". You know what? The past is the past. Learn from it and then leave it behind. LEARN from it, and LEAVE it behind. The key here is to learn from it first, leave it behind second. and move on.
When you learn that the first step to realizing your goals is to define your goals, it is not such a big leap to then write those goals down. I encourage you to do this for all areas of your life. But don't get hung up on details, or the "big picture". Your goals can, and will, change over time. The important thing is to write them down, and then start working towards them.
For July, why not try first defining a couple of goals for the month, then write them down. Put your goals up on the wall by your computer, by your fridge, on your mirror, in your wallet. Somewhere that they will be visible reminders throughout your day to keep you focused on achieving those goals.
Your goals don't have to be fancy or sophisticated. Your goals can be focused on work, personal, relationships, money, fitness; whatever you want to achieve.
Tips for Goal-Writing
Make your goal as SPECIFIC as possible (i.e. I will call my mom every Tuesday); write MEASURABLE goals (i.e. I will lose 2 pounds); your goals must be ATTAINABLE, but still be a stretch for you; make your goal REALISTIC - it must be something you want and will work towards or else you won't put the effort into attaining it; and ensure that your goal is TIMELY - something you can achieve within the timeframe given (in this case, one month).
Now, write down two things: your goal(s) for July; and reminders on July 15 and 25 to revisit your goals and your progress towards them. I'll be here August 1 to help you celebrate your success!!
What were your goals for June? Did you write them down? Did you re-write them every day? Did you build your plan to accomplish those goals, and then put that plan into action? If so, you are likely looking at your list of goals, and celebrating your accomplishments.
But what if you didn't make goals, write them down, build and act on a plan. What if you aren't celebrating your accomplishments as we close out the month of June, and the first half of 2010?
NO WORRIES!
Firstly, it will do you absolutely no good to dwell on the past, wishing you'd done this or that, thinking "If only I'd ....". You know what? The past is the past. Learn from it and then leave it behind. LEARN from it, and LEAVE it behind. The key here is to learn from it first, leave it behind second. and move on.
When you learn that the first step to realizing your goals is to define your goals, it is not such a big leap to then write those goals down. I encourage you to do this for all areas of your life. But don't get hung up on details, or the "big picture". Your goals can, and will, change over time. The important thing is to write them down, and then start working towards them.
For July, why not try first defining a couple of goals for the month, then write them down. Put your goals up on the wall by your computer, by your fridge, on your mirror, in your wallet. Somewhere that they will be visible reminders throughout your day to keep you focused on achieving those goals.
Your goals don't have to be fancy or sophisticated. Your goals can be focused on work, personal, relationships, money, fitness; whatever you want to achieve.
Tips for Goal-Writing
Make your goal as SPECIFIC as possible (i.e. I will call my mom every Tuesday); write MEASURABLE goals (i.e. I will lose 2 pounds); your goals must be ATTAINABLE, but still be a stretch for you; make your goal REALISTIC - it must be something you want and will work towards or else you won't put the effort into attaining it; and ensure that your goal is TIMELY - something you can achieve within the timeframe given (in this case, one month).
Now, write down two things: your goal(s) for July; and reminders on July 15 and 25 to revisit your goals and your progress towards them. I'll be here August 1 to help you celebrate your success!!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
NEW MONTH!
I realized today how much I love turning the page onto a new month. It's like a brand new start again. Clean slate. An entire month ahead to work towards my goals. Time to reflect on where I'm at, how far I've come, and where I'm going.
I wrote out my June goals today. Made a copy to put in my wallet to carry with me everywhere. I know what I'm going to accomplish in June - do you?
I wrote out my June goals today. Made a copy to put in my wallet to carry with me everywhere. I know what I'm going to accomplish in June - do you?
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Write Down Your Goals
"Only three percent of adults have written goals, and everyone else works for them." - Brian Tracey
Goal-setting is an important activity for everyone, no matter who they are or what they do. How can we know when we've arrived if we don't know where we're going?
Now, setting your goals doesn't have to be mind-blowing or overly complicated. In fact, some of the best goals are the most basic. Here are some tips I've gathered from various sources for writing down your goals.
1 - Just Do It. Write something down. Get it on paper. This makes it tangible - real. You can see it, you can touch the paper, you can hold it close to you, carry it with you.
2 - Be Positive. Write your goal from a positive standpoint. Your goal is what you will be, not what you're leaving behind. For example, I weigh X pounds on Y date; versus I will lose X pounds.
3 - Keep your Goals Visible. Write your goals on several pieces of paper, keep one in your wallet, one by your desk, one on your fridge -- keep your goals in front of you. Better yet, re-write them every day; this will write your goals into your sub-concious, which works to drive your actions towards achieving those goals. "Life consists of what a man is thinking about all day." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Use the SMART system. SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely.
"Specific" means you attach numbers and time frames to your goals. Avoid generalities and vagueness. "I will have more money" is less powerful than "I will make $10,000 a month by January 1, 2013."
"Measurable" goals are those which you can track and follow. By enabling yourself to track your progress, you can revisit your goals to be sure you're on target, adjust your actions as necessary, and best of all celebrate milestones along the way.
"Attainable" goals are simply goals that you can achieve within the timeframes you've determined. Virtually every goal is attainable, given the proper timeframe to develop and grow to reach your goal. "Your goal should be out of reach, not out of sight." - Anita DeFrantz
"Realistic" goals are those which you are both willing and able to work towards. You must actually want to achieve the goal in order for you to put in the effort required to achieve it.
"Timely" goals have a specific timeframe in which you want to achieve them.
There are many resources available for goal-making, including numerous on the web. But don't over-complicate goal-making in the beginning. The important thing is to write down a goal. Then you can begin working towards that goal, re-defining, updating, even re-writing as you make progress. However you choose to go about it, I say "Just Go!"
Goal-setting is an important activity for everyone, no matter who they are or what they do. How can we know when we've arrived if we don't know where we're going?
Now, setting your goals doesn't have to be mind-blowing or overly complicated. In fact, some of the best goals are the most basic. Here are some tips I've gathered from various sources for writing down your goals.
1 - Just Do It. Write something down. Get it on paper. This makes it tangible - real. You can see it, you can touch the paper, you can hold it close to you, carry it with you.
2 - Be Positive. Write your goal from a positive standpoint. Your goal is what you will be, not what you're leaving behind. For example, I weigh X pounds on Y date; versus I will lose X pounds.
3 - Keep your Goals Visible. Write your goals on several pieces of paper, keep one in your wallet, one by your desk, one on your fridge -- keep your goals in front of you. Better yet, re-write them every day; this will write your goals into your sub-concious, which works to drive your actions towards achieving those goals. "Life consists of what a man is thinking about all day." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Use the SMART system. SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely.
"Specific" means you attach numbers and time frames to your goals. Avoid generalities and vagueness. "I will have more money" is less powerful than "I will make $10,000 a month by January 1, 2013."
"Measurable" goals are those which you can track and follow. By enabling yourself to track your progress, you can revisit your goals to be sure you're on target, adjust your actions as necessary, and best of all celebrate milestones along the way.
"Attainable" goals are simply goals that you can achieve within the timeframes you've determined. Virtually every goal is attainable, given the proper timeframe to develop and grow to reach your goal. "Your goal should be out of reach, not out of sight." - Anita DeFrantz
"Realistic" goals are those which you are both willing and able to work towards. You must actually want to achieve the goal in order for you to put in the effort required to achieve it.
"Timely" goals have a specific timeframe in which you want to achieve them.
There are many resources available for goal-making, including numerous on the web. But don't over-complicate goal-making in the beginning. The important thing is to write down a goal. Then you can begin working towards that goal, re-defining, updating, even re-writing as you make progress. However you choose to go about it, I say "Just Go!"
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