5 Tips for setting Goals

  1. Set financial Goals – Zig Ziglar, one of the motivational greats from the 80’s said it best, “Money isn’t everything, but it’s right up there with oxygen. “
  2. Write your Goals down daily – Writing your Goals down daily programs your subconscious mind to pursue those Goals. Review and revise your Goals.
  3. Set character Goals – Successful people have common character traits. Aim to develop some of those traits or productive habits. Example: Goals to become productive, energetic, enthusiastic, focused, self motivated, ambitious, driven, persistent, resourceful etc.
  4. Write Goals in present tense – Write your Goals as if they have already been achieved. Example: I am a home owner… I have multiple sources of income… I earn “X” amount each year…
  5. Keep your Goals private – Keeping your Goals to yourself helps avoid negative people who may plant seeds of doubt in your mind. Most people respond negatively toward your goals because they can’t see it for themselves.

Goals

Studies show that 92% of people who set New Years resolution goals never achieve them, and if you’re like me then you’ve been part of that 92% at one point in your life or you’re there now. 

“A ship without a destination is lost”

 Setting goals is the 1st step in motivating yourself. Studies show that only 20% of people have goals and only 3% actually have written goals.

Having goals is necessary for a number of reasons, but they all boil down to this. You can’t hit a target you can’t see, you need something to aim at.  


Set financial goals

Set goals to become financially secure first if you aren’t already.

Zig Ziglar, one of the motivational greats from the 80’s said it best, “Money isn’t everything, but it’s right up there with oxygen.”

It’s hard to develop a business plan if your’e struggling to pay the rent or wondering where your next meal will come from.

It may be establishing a good paying career, finishing school to get your foot in the door in a prosperous field, advancing in your trade, or getting that promotion and pay raise at work.

Whatever it may be, plain and simple, it’s hard to make moves when your’e broke.

Write your goals down daily

Writing your goals down on paper is critical. Our brain is like a computer, writing your goals down daily programs your subconscious mind, (your computer) to pursue those goals.

Doing something consciously long enough eventually forms a habit and is done subconsciously thereafter.

This exercise alone changed my life. Surprisingly what you’ll notice after practicing this technique over time, is that you’ll eventually have to write new goals as you’ve accomplished everything on your list!

Write your goals in present tense

Write your goals in the positive and either present or past tense. For example, instead of writing, “I will become a home owner”, or “I will save ten thousand dollars” Write “I am a home owner”, “I have ten thousand dollars in my savings account”.

Writing your goals in present tense helps see yourself as already having achieved that goal and reinforces the belief in self and your ability to achieve your goals.

Many successful people use this very technique and swear by it’s effectiveness. Although everyone has their own technique for writing their goals, this is the technique I personally use and continue to achieve successful results from.

Set character goals

At first we all set material goals, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s human nature to want the cars, the house, and the money. But as Tony Robbins states, “If we do what we’ve always done, we’ll get what we’ve always gotten”.

We can’t achieve new results with the same old habits. We’ve got to become a different person, by developing new productive habits and traits.

About 85% of my written goals consist of developing successful character traits. Goals of being productive, active, resourceful, genuine, persistent, goal driven, action oriented, organized, diligent, punctual, extremely focused, highly self motivated etc.

Successful people have common character traits. Aim to develop some of those traits or productive habits.

Keep your goals private

When you’ve got clear goals for yourself it motivates you. You feel excited about your future. You’re hopeful, and eager to get started.

Unfortunately not everyone will feel the same. Most people want to see you do well, but not better than them. And when you share your goals with co-workers, friends or family, you may not receive positive feedback.

Studies show that it takes 7 positive statements to over ride 1 negative statement. When people give you negative feedback it leaves opportunity to plant seeds of doubt in your mind.

On the other hand, accepting honest criticism to help critique your path is necessary. So be mindful of who you share your goals with and exercise good judgement