Goal Setting - My Disappointing Discovery
September 8, 2008
Goal setting has become almost an industry in itself with countless books and techniques available online and in published form promising to help you achieve your most cherished desires. I have read many articles and looked at many products in the course of keeping up-to-date in my profession.
In much of the material, authors refer to a study conducted at Yale in 1953 in which the graduating class were asked if they had clear, written goals. 3% of the students said they had written goals, 13% had goals they had not written down and 84% had no clear goals.
At the class reunion 20 years later, further investigation discovered that the 3% with written goals were worth more than the other 97% put together!
A striking story indeed, and one which is commonly used to illustrate the power and necessity of writing down goals. I was planning to use it on my website and decided that I needed to know more about this fascinating study. It was a disappointment, therefore, that on looking into it more closely, a simple search on Google brought up many claims that the so-called research never in fact took place and that the source of the statistics cannot be found!
So that has blown my fabulous introduction to goal setting for my coaching and courses! It does not, however, affect my responsibility to my clients to ascertain before they embark on coaching that their goals are realistic and achievable at the same time as being challenging and exciting.
Andy Britnell is an executive coach who works with businesspeople in both the private and public sectors who wish to achieve better results. See my website at http://executive-coaching-for-business-growth/goal-setting.html for some useful goal setting strategies.
Sign up for my FREE monthly newsletter Grow and Learn at http://andybritnell.co.uk/ for short and incisive tips on better understanding yourself and others.
Previous newsletters can be found at http://www.andybritnell.co.uk/resources/index.html
How to Handle Getting Caught Off Guard
September 4, 2008
I remember the time that I swore to myself that I’d never be caught off guard again. I was in my new job on Capital Hill and it was the first week on the job. My new mentor at the office was the daughter of the other US Senator from Nevada so she knew everyone who was anyone. I tagged along with her one day to a meeting and I found myself in a mess!
She introduced me to the President of Zimbabwe! I shook his hand and all of a sudden about a thousand flashes went off! None of the photographers knew that I was just a newcomer on Capital Hill, but every single one got a picture of me ?. And I’m sure what turned out was the "deer in the headlights" look. I completely froze, and looked up completely shaken up. I had NO idea that the photographers were even THERE and then on top of that, why would they want a picture of me?
I’ve since learned to take a great picture anywhere. You name it, the driver’s license, Sam’s Club to get a member card, at weddings or any function, I have trained myself that the second that I know a camera is around, I "eyeball the eye of the camera" and give my best smile; for as long as I need to!
But how do we handle situations in which we get caught off guard? Like asking to speak on a moments notice? What if someone yells at you at work for something that happens? What if you are asked to deliver a toast at an event? Or how about being asked to deliver a message or read a poem at a class reunion? That happened to me at my last reunion, and I told them that as a professional speaker, I never go anywhere unprepared. Therefore, at the encouragement of my husband, I turned them down.
But what if you can’t turn them down? What if you HAVE to get up and give a speech? What if you are lambasted in front of people at your workplace and can barely come up for air before you are supposed to respond?
I think that in any crisis situation, and these are DEFINITELY crisis situations, that it’s best to always have a plan. Here is what I recommend that my clients do:
1. Know that you are going to be caught off guard at some point.
2. Make a plan and memorize the plan.
3. When it happens, tell yourself to take several breaths and calm down.
4. Next, identify WHAT it is that the person wants from you. Do they want and need a response right then? Can the response wait?
5. If it can wait, then tell them thank you for expressing their views and that you’ll get back to them as soon as you have had a bit to think about it. Then, go to your office or get somewhere quiet and process what you need to do and say. Call a friend or mentor that you trust to help guide you through it.
6. If you have to address the situation right there, your plan is to come off as poised and confident as possible. Hold yourself together until you can respond without flying off the handle or saying anything stupid.
7. Address the situation. Ask yourself: What is the bottom line? What do you need to do or to say to make the other person or people happy?
8. Deliver your lines. Look the other person or people in their eyes as you deliver your lines. Do it with the most amount of sincerity as possible.
9. Be available to discuss it afterwards. Remain calm. You can always freak out later.
10. After the fact, reassess how you did. What would you have changed if you could go back? Store that in your memory bank and chalk one up to being ready!
A great example of someone being ready when they were caught off guard was Mayor Rudy Gulianni of NYC after 9/11. He went on TV almost immediately after almost being suffocated by the towers. He remained calm and showed sympathy to others even as the news of his good friends’ death was delivered to him.
Mayor Gulianni had been prepared. He had been reading about leadership and Winston Churchill the night before the tragedy. He was able to recall the story of how Churchill led his people in desperate times, and Guliani was able to call to memory this story as he himself had to present himself as a strong leader.
Being prepared takes time of course. But being prepared and ready for the unexpected can catapult you to the next level in your career. It can make people stand up and notice, and can teach you that anyone can survive and thrive, when they expect the unexpected!
Mary Gardner , The Charisma Coach! is an Executive Communications Consultant and Trainer. She works with, coaches and trains individuals, sales teams, executives, and celebrities. She owned and operated one of the first coaching institutions on the east coast, CCI, in NYC, Philly and NJ. Mary has appeared on ABC’s 20/20 and has self published a book on public speaking. Mary is married to Sway and is mommy to Jeremy 5, and lives in Orlando, FL.
For more information contact: mary@marygardner.com or Web: www.marygardner.com
Cultivating Belief in Your Goals
September 1, 2008
The Belief That You Can Do It and more importantly, That You Will!
First, You must choose one goal and commit to it’s achievement. It seems that this is always the starting point isn’t it? It must be something that you feel you can not live without, or you must develop that feeling for it to work. Remember, reasons first, then action.
Did you choose one? Are you commited to making it a reality in your life? Did you decide that you must have it and absolutely will have it? Is it do or die? Are your reasons for having it, strong enough to propel you forward right now and compel you to action when you may not ‘feel’ like it? If not, then choose another one, this is no time to waste your energy on something you are not serious about.
Aggressively research and brainstorm all the ways you can get this goal. Do not consider any negative thoughts at this time. There is another time for that. Write them down quickly as you think of more. Use shortforms and abbreviations if you have to, but keep the flow of thought going for as long as it takes. This is a tremendously important part of the process.
Remember those negatives that kept coming up throughout the above? What challenges or problems will come up when you start taking action? What do you see happening or preventing you from getting what you want? Write these down also. Be honest with yourself, if you think it, write it down. There is no such thing as unimportant thought. It is all important, vitally important!
Next, come up with solutions that will take care of these problems. Write down multiple answers to each problem. Stay positive and focused on your target. Write down everything that comes to mind. All those things that could keep you from succeeding, come up with tons of ways to deal with them. This will give you unstoppable confidence in your ability to have what you want.
Break down your solutions into action steps, into small workable tasks that you can complete quickly. Break each step down into 5 smaller actions. Then break those down into 5 smaller ones. Keep breaking down tasks until you have absolute belief in yourself that you can and will do it, right now, today!. In fact, Break them down until they are ridiculously simple!
Small, simple actions are easy to accomplish, and when these particular actions are put together, they equal the goal result that you want. Belief becomes automatic because you “know” that there is nothing standing between you and your goal.
All that is left is to work your plan. You created it, you are commited to it, you must do it, so just do it, and go get your goal. Start with the first step and complete it right now, today. So what are you waiting for? Go For It!
Are you still here? Go get that goal! LOL!
No plan is perfect so there will inevitably be obstacles and distractions, little things which will stand in your way for temporary periods of time. When this happens, just break these down. And start again . . . and again. Stay flexible and adjust your approach when these occur. Believe, and have faith in the long term.
Adjust your plans and actions as necessary until you have what you want. The result is in the bag, it is a sure thing, all that will change are the strategies, and the timing. You will prevail. This is true. If this is a major complex goal, you will want to work it backwards through smaller goals, and then break them down into action steps.
Focus on the solution instead of the fear or doubt. This strategy will work for any goal you pick. Focus on what you want continuously, with passion, and with absolute faith, knowing that you have absolutely done everything necessary. Act with that level of belief, and certainty that causes miracles to happen! Go make your miracle!
Copyright 2004 Al Smith
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Al Smith writes for and publishes The Realgoalgetter Ezine. His articles deal mostly with goal setting, self improvement, motivation, and overall health and fitness. Stop by The Realgoalgetter Website and subscribe to The Realgoalgetter Ezine at http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/index.html.
7 Questions To Tap Into The Limitless Power Of Your Subconscious Mind
August 28, 2008
When you map out what you want, you let go of the trivial tasks that clutter up your thoughts. When you focus on achieving a definite major purpose, your life will assume an energy and unity that will be exhilerating. Self-discipline will appear spontaneously.
You can prime your subconscious to tell you what you really want in your life.
Here are a seven questions you could ask yourself to be clear on your major definite purpose in life.
1. Questions about your interests. What do you enjoy doing? What things do you do well? Can you isolate one of these things that you enjoy and do well and make it into a definite major purpose? What is your magnificent obessession? What gifts do you bring to this planet? How would you like to be remembered?
2. Questions about meaning. Why do you want to do this? How will it bring out the best in you? How will it benefit others? How will it sustain you? Can you make money at it?
3. Questions about resources. What resources do you need? How much time and money do you need to start? What do you need to learn? Do you need to go back to school? Do you need to join an organization? Do you need to purchase special equipment? Do you need to move to another city to find the best opportunity?
4. Questions about support. Who can help you? Who is an expert in this field? Do you need to learn from their books? Do you need to attend a class they are offering? Do you need to spend time with them in person?
5. Questions about persistence. How can you stay true to your mission? How will you motivate yourself when things go wrong? How much endurance do you have? How will you resist the temptation to give up when obstacles arise?
6. Questions about completion. When will you achieve this goal? What steps might be involved? How long do these steps take? How will you know when you’ve finally achieved your dream?
7. Questions about models. Who else has done this? How did they do it? How long did it take? Did they have more or less opportunity than you when they first started?
When you have your moment of inspiration, which will occur because of your focussed attention, you can write out a contract to yourself.
In this contract, state your major definite aim and the time you expect to acquire it.
Now read your statement to yourself?twice a day, out loud, with passion and conviction. This procedure will activate your mind to come up with answers and it will motivate you to take action.
Although this process is easy to understand and simple to apply-don’t underestimate it. When you awaken your subconscious mind, you awaken powerful thoughts and feelings that will propel you to the future you desire. You will be able to change any limiting situations. You will be able to transform your life. Life is too short to be miserable, too short to deny yourself the life of your dreams.
You can keep this energy of vital purpose alive by reading your self-promise to yourself upon arising and before going to bed.
Resource Box
Saleem Rana got his Masters degree in psychotherapy from California Lutheran University. His articles on the internet have inspired over ten thousand people from around the world. Discover how to create a remarkable life
Copyright 2004 Saleem Rana. Please feel free to pass this article on to your friends, or use it in your ezine or newsletter. It’s a shareware article.
Celebrate Achieving Smaller Goals Along The Way
August 25, 2008
I wanted to learn to swim. So I set my goals, I got down to it, worked hard and struggled to overcome all obstacles. That’s the right way to do it, isn’t it?
After a month of working at it, with lessons, and practice why wasn’t I happy about it? Every time I’d see someone swim effortlessly down the pool I’d look at my own progress and feel inadequate.
It’s sometimes the same in life, and business. You can do everything right, by setting out your goals, making some progress, but feel depressed that you haven’t reached your main goal quite yet.
Well, try this. Set some smaller, interim goals for along the way. I need to float. I need to kick my feet. I need to paddle my hands.
Then each time you achieve your interim goals celebrate the fact that you’ve accomplished something new and better. Remember that even the guy who was swimming effortlessly down the pool will have someone who’s a better swimmer than they are.
It’s the progress that you should celebrate.
There’s a great motivational poster called ‘Celebrate ? Dolphins’ with a quote that says "Take pride in your achievements". This I can do.
In fact I tried the ’stop and smell the roses’ approach but who has time to stop for anything these days. This way I can maintain my breakneck speed pace in life and get some enjoyment out of the things I get done by doing my little ‘celebrate’ thing for each small goal meet. It seems to work.
So, ok, I’ve got ‘float’ down pretty good. I can kick my feet. Reason to celebrate for sure as I won’t drown if I fall in a pool now. So celebrate, and kick, and kick, and kick.
Willie Jones
Willie Jones is a freelance writer, researcher, floral designer, and artist. "When Art Inspires, Dreams can Become Reality". http://www.artinspires.com "Make sure you enroll in the free motivational poster drawing. All winners receive a free framed print."
Reasons That Move You Bring Clarity, Focus, Determination, and Momentum
August 21, 2008
Are your goals SMART? ? Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Rewarding, Time-Deadlined
Just about everyone has heard about the SMART Goal Setting method. But are you really using it. Proper goal setting seems to be a lot of work, and takes considerable time to set up. Many people stop short of completing the necessary detail to maintain their focus long after the novelty has long worn off. Hence, “The New Year’s Resolution” syndrome of stopping short of getting what you want, prevails.
Goal Setting is easy and fun to maintain, once you have the fundamental work completed, because you are gathering momentum, and attaining success one step at a time! It is much easier to continue along a chosen path when you know that it is only a matter of time until you have what you want.
Magnify and Intensify your Desire, bring it closer, see it clearly and make it larger, sharpen and maintain your focus. A-h-h-h. There’s the rub, How do you maintain focus, and minimize distraction on the road to what you want? When all seems lost, how do you keep getting back up for more? Have Great reasons, and Keep Them in Front of You Always!
Whenever possible, once you decide on what you want, take some action, view the exact model of what you want, and do it as many times as necessary to burn the desire you have for this goal into your subconscious mind. Write down every detail that you love and appreciate about your goal.
Use all of your senses in describing it, eyes for seeing how it looks, nose for smelling how it smells, mouth for tasting exactly how delicious, how it feels to the touch, experience all the different textures, etc., capture every delightful detail in your mind. This will always magnify, and intensify your desire and focus, instead of just looking at pictures alone. However, you will still want pictures too!
Take Pictures of your goals and place them everywhere:
On and in your day timer
On your fridge
On your bathroom mirror
On your bedroom wall, frame a collage of pictures
In work binders
On home office wall
On your desk at work
Make them your wallpaper on your computer
Email pictures to yourself, or have a close friend email them. Put them everywhere you spend time each day.
Make your own audio tape in your own voice, using your posture and physiology of excitement, energy and determination, make it descriptive, from a script taken while looking at what you want - smell, touch, feel, and imagine it. Listen to this tape frequently.
Have someone make a video presentation of you with your goals - detailed, then do theirs! Have fun with this. Watch videos of the rich and famous. Experience everything!
Goals like cars or boats, or winnebagos - to dealerships, get in, take pictures, smell them, feel the upholstery, go for a test drive, sit in them, close your eyes and visualize you in it, feel the emotions rising up, those you hold onto, go see them as often as you need to - get it in focus, and maintain your high levels desire
Dream Homes - get home magazines, real estate papers, architectural magazines, any publications that are relevant to your focus, immerse yourself totally!
Go to open houses, new home models, take pictures when you can, and you will come across something that fires you up.
Go to places like Home Depot, find everything you want, inside and outside, go to the furniture store, pick out the furniture, just like you want - visit these places as often as needed, with everything, take pictures, feel the feelings, as if you already are in possession of it all! Lock in that thought.
Travel Goals - pick up brochures, read magazines and books pertaining to the places you want to go, the things you want to do and see there.
Talk to travel agents that take a lot of trips to those areas that interest you and seek the inside story on the places to take in while you’re there.
Make a budget for all you want to do and have during your stay, and imagine you are already there and ready to go!
Make up score cards and update them frequently so you can see your progress towards each goal.
See in your mind’s eye how you are making it. Immerse yourself in it! Have it on your mind always. Look for every opportunity to concentrate your power on getting it.
The human brain is the most awesome instrument for creating what it focuses on. Keep what you want front and center, and your subconscious mind will go to work for you and show you the way! And remember that you can only think one thought at a time, so make it a thought that serves you.
There are many ways to get your internal fires burning. Find out what works best for you. This is enough to get you started for now.
Copyright 2004 Al Smith
Al Smith writes for and publishes The Realgoalgetter Ezine, The Realgoalgetter Blog, and The Realgoalgetter Website. His articles deal mostly with goal setting, self improvement, motivation, and overall health and fitness. If you enjoyed this article, there is more information on The Realgoalgetter Website. Subscribe FREE to The Realgoalgetter Ezine at: http://www.realgoalgetter.com/ezines/
