For anyone who has been around JDsBlog of any length of time – you know that I am a nut about setting goals. There are a ton of books written on the subject and quite a few motivational speakers driving the point home, but no one gives you the run-down in 60 seconds or less..
The bottom line is this: do something…
It isn’t hard to understand or to follow through on, but there can’t be any excuses…
Step 1 – Brainstorm
Do a quick goal brainstormiing session. Noting complex, just take out a piece of paper, get into the visionary mindset, and start writing for 15 or so minutes.
Step 2 – Define your goals
After you do your goal brainstorming, do the following:
- Circle the ones you can achieve in less than 6 months
- Box the goals that you can get to in less than a year
- Circle and box the ones achievable in 3 years or less.
Step 3 – Make a good version
write out a good copy of your goals with any descriptions accompanying them. The descriptions need to be as detailed as possible, such as “But a house – 4 bedrooms, three baths, finished basement, hardwood floors, big back deck, etc.
The more real your goals are in your head – the more likely you will be able to achieve them. And make sure to date it!
Step 4 – Define action steps
Figure out what next steps need to be taken to achieve your goals. For instance, in the above example of buying a house – the next steps would be:
- Save for a down payment
- Reduce credit card debt
- Find a Realtor
- Find an area you want to live in
- etc.
Step 5 – Schedule something
Put your next actions in your schedule. For example, schedule a couple hours to find a realtor or schedule an automatic transfer from your bank account on payday to a savings account.
Step 6 – Follow through
Make sure you keep good to your schedule. Don’t make excuses on how you will get to it next week or why your schedule doesn’t fit. Remember, it isn’t that you are directly achieving your goal – it’s that you are actively working toward it!
Step 7 – Evaluate, Review and Reschedule
Evaluate what you have done and what you still have to do. Schedule the next step in the process and repeat steps 5 through 7!
Goal Planning At A Glance
Remember, the biggest challenge people have with goals is most of them just seem unachievable. They’re daunting to think about. The reason they are is really very simple – excuses.
People have an excuse for everything. Why they can’t get to something or why they haven’t taken care of a certain problem. The bottom line is excuses are the reason you aren’t where you want to be! The one constant in everyone’s life is time. Bill Gates has just as much of it as you do. Take a minute and think about that… If Bill Gates can make billions in the same amount of time that’s allotted to you, why are there so many differences?
If you don’t take anything else away from this article, remember this:
“Take small steps and anything is possible.”