Blog for Self Improvement

Would you benefit from identifying some “not-to’dos” to propel you to success more quickly and with less energy and less effort? When we strategize for success, we typically focus on the things we will do and the steps we will take to reach success. Without a doubt, that is an excellent strategy. However, there may be things getting in the way of your success that are holding you back from achieving the results you most want. Perhaps it would be helpful to make a "not-to-do" list to help you change some of your old worn out habits that no longer serve you.

When I began my coaching career, I studied great coaches to learn how they worked with their clients. My first role model was Cheryl Richardson, best-selling author and Life Makeover Coach who was featured on Oprah. I would listen to recordings of her programs, read her books and do my best to pattern my coaching after her style. Invariably, I would fall short of being able to coach in the seemingly "perfect" way that Cheryl did. After presenting a program or working with a client, I would compare the worst aspects of my performance to the best of Cheryl's which always left me feeling less than adequate and frustrated with myself.

In my comparison, I neglected to include important information such as the fact that I was new to coaching and Cheryl had been at it for several years, and that she had once been a new coach who had not started out as polished as she had become after years of experience. I only saw my shortcomings in comparison to her brilliance. Once I decided to stop the self sabotage and quit comparing myself to Cheryl, I was able to relax and coach with confidence. Without the pressure that I had created to "be like Cheryl," I was able to be my best which was more than enough.

What needs to go on your "not-to-do" list in order to reach your goals for 2007? Maybe you are like I was and need to stop comparing yourself to someone else? Or, do you need to stop scheduling too many activities? Stop trying to do everything on your own without asking for help? Stop trying to be perfect? What will you put on your "not-to-do" list so that you can achieve success this year?

Ideas for your "not-to-do" list

1. Stop comparing your worst to someone else's best. Comparing yourself to someone else is a recipe for disappointment. It is especially frustrating when you try to size up your performance, or your appearance, or some other quality to a super model, an Olympic athlete or your brother or sister who always outshined you. Give yourself a break and appreciate that you are more than enough just as you are. It is better to be the best version of yourself than to torture yourself with unrealistic comparisons to others.

2. Stop waiting for someone else to make you happy. Happiness is an inside job. You are in charge of your life and of your happiness. Abraham Lincoln said, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." Decide that you will create your own happiness rather than expect it from someone or something else. Take responsibility for doing things that bring you joy.

3. Stop focusing on what you don't have. Rather than focus on not having enough time, enough money, enough energy or enough help, etc. focus on what you do have and be grateful that you have it. Watch your world begin to change in a positive way as you let go of limiting thoughts of what you don't have and express gratitude for what you do have.

"Self-sabotage is the worst deterrent to your best performance." Coach Pat Morgan

By: Coach Pat Morgan

Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Pat Morgan, MBA and Executive Coach, helps clients maximize their potential in today’s fast-paced environment. Her unique coaching programs inspire clients to achieve goals they may never have thought possible. Her focus draws from the inside out – helping clients become the best version of themselves they can be. Get your free copy of my special report, GET RESULTS NOW! when you subscribe to my newsletter, Smooth Sailing Success. Visit www.SmoothSailingSuccess.com

After years of research on happiness, money, life and goals, here are some of my key findings.

Researchers from the University of Illinois and Pennsylvania State declare that, in a 1985 survey, the Maasai of East Africa were almost equally satisfied with life as some of the 400 richest Americans on the Forbes list. The Maasai are a traditional herding people who have no electricity or running water and live in huts made of dung.

Goal. Realize that making huge amounts of money doesn't necessarily buy happiness. Maybe it's time to stop competing with the neighbours for the flashiest car. Money, power, fame or status should not be treated as the goal, rather as resources towards more meaning and purpose. Perhaps the goal will be more freedom, control and health in your life.

People who are truly successful look at their values and live a rich and rewarding life created through healthy relationships, personal integrity, and discovery. They are not concerned with impressing others with wealth and status.

Goal: Spending more time with family, friends and the community can be an inexpensive yet incredibly rewarding experience as opposed to watching TV or shopping. Being honest with yourself and open to new adventures certainly adds spice to life as well.

People happiest in their jobs are the ones that remain truly engaged, learn something new everyday, and have a connection with different groups and networks.

Goal: Start learning new things. Discover your passions and build on them. Seek information. This is what leads to true meaning and purpose in ones career.

Summary. Being clear on your life goals leads to a much more satisfying life.

1) After basic needs are met, money doesn't buy much more happiness.

2) Our relationships with others provide some of our greatest values and inspirations.

3) Connecting with your work and continuously seeking value adding information makes life much more satisfying.

About the Author: Terry Vermeylen is one of those rare people that is passionately driven to help others unlock their own barriers toward fulfillment, meaning and purpose. He is the founder of

 http://www.mylifechanges.com/, an Internet value identification and goal setting enterprise.

In order to succeed or accomplish anything in life you must first set goals. It is especially a must for any person interested in self-improvement. With that said, one of the first sets of goals should be on self-improvement.

But remember "What you achieve through the journey of life is not as important as who you become" - Author Unknown.

Go ahead and take the actions and steps necessary to make your goal of self-improvement in some area of your life into a reality. A good example of this is how athletes will compare their current performance to their own previous performances with self-improvement being the number one goal.

Below are six goal-setting actions to help you realize your goals:

1. Begin with short-term goals that will build upon themselves and lead you to long-term ones.

If you have a big task, like becoming debt free, break it into smaller steps which will help you stay focused and on course. You will feel good as you reach each goal, keeping you motivated and ready for the next one.

2. Make sure you really want the goal. It is very important that the goals you choose are yours and not someone else's goals set for you. If deep down you are not committed to the goals, you will only put off achieving it.

3. Share your goals with others. By doing this you will gain support you need from others. Make sure you share with those who will encourage you and not with those who will give you negative feedback.

4. Write down your goals. Create a written statement of goals and sign it. This will reinforce your commitment and give you a map for success. Also, when times get tough you can read your statement to help motivate you.

5. Stay the course and don't give up. There is nothing more satisfying in life then when you complete a goal. Being successful once turns into many. It can become quite additive.

6. Rejoice and celebrate. Take time to savor the moment. You worked hard and found out that by being committed and dedicated your goals were met.

There you have it, six basic steps that will aid you on your journey to successfully obtaining your goals. All though all six steps are important the one that stands out the most is number 1. If you can't break your goal down into bit size portions you will always put it off or procrastinate. And you know what happens when one procrastinates...nothing gets done. Good luck.

Dennis Watson - Just helping others succeed.

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Remember those News Years Resolutions - “We will; improve business revenue, have a better sales quarter, cut costs; spend more time with staff and less on paperwork; go to the gym, lose weight, stop smoking; drink more (water) and so on…..”

Some of us write down our goals, type them up, make spreadsheets, print them in colour, and put them on notice boards. And some of us came to the conclusion; that New Years Resolutions (like affirmations) don’t work so why bother? After all haven’t we got enough proof that New Years Resolutions and Goal Setting doesn’t work, because we just did the “that was the year that was” exercise and not a lot happened like it was supposed to. Or did it?

For a few of us, New Years Resolutions are just not necessary because we already have our goals clearly written out, we regularly review and update progress, we put structures in place to hold ourselves accountable, and we measure our performance.

So, what is the difference between looking back on the year in December 2006 seeing a great year, lots of achievements and growth and feeling good; or seeing a bit of a non event, having Christmas dinner in the same house, same conversations, same complaints, same old, same old?

The difference that makes the difference is our belief.

“If you believe you can, or believe you can’t you’re right” Often misquoted and so true.

Have you ever set a goal, or had one set for you, and you really believed deep down that you couldn’t do it? What happened? You were right weren’t you?

Conversely have you ever had a goal where you knew for sure that this was a piece of cake? Yes, and you were right again, weren’t you?

With all the experience, skills and knowledge you now have, could you go back and achieve the first goal? Maybe, probably. With the benefit of 20:20 hindsight what was the difference?

Take 5 minutes private time out for the next startlingly simple but powerful exercise

Look at a simple goal you currently have – Write it down with its due date. Study it. Now, write down all your beliefs about this one goal. List everything positive and supportive and all the hairy beliefs as well. Leave nothing out. Done? Good. Now look back at your behaviours in the last month in respect of this one goal, and delete those beliefs which have not been totally supported by your behaviours. (For example, your goal is to run your first ever marathon in June 06. You believe you are getting fit. You believe you are going to do it in under 4 hours. Your behaviour is that it is 7 months away you have not yet put on your running shoes to train! Put a line through “getting fit”, and put another line through the “under 4 hours” belief. Your behaviours do not support your stated beliefs). Is this getting tough?

Now, imagine Big Brother has been observing and recording your behaviours for the last month. Write down a separate list of what Big Brother would interpret your beliefs to be in relation to this goal from his examination of your behaviours. Be honest, you are the only person reading the 2 lists. (e.g. in the marathon example, “I believe I am not capable”)

Compare the two lists. These are your real beliefs as you are living them in relation to this one goal. What are your lists telling you about your beliefs around this particular goal? Are they supportive of achieving the goal or limiting you and holding you back?

This was a simple exercise related to just one goal. If you found you only had supportive beliefs, then congratulations, you are probably well on your way to achieving that goal. Repeat the exercise for some of the goals you are not achieving, you may uncover a limiting belief holding you back. If so, well done again. You are now one step closer to achieving (or redefining) these goals also.

The lesson is that when we believe we can – we will. When we believe we can’t –we won’t. It is that simple.

This lesson applies to you, your staff, and your kids, to everyone.

You may be wondering why one staff/team member is struggling to reach a target you set and another is effortlessly exceeding budget, when both appear to have the same skills etc. Limiting beliefs may be a factor. Whilst performance management is a useful tool, it is also a blunt one. Share this article with your team as an opening for discussions to explore if there are limiting beliefs holding someone back.

The great thing about beliefs is that they are just beliefs. Beliefs are just thought forms. The most powerful belief we can have is that we control our beliefs. We can change them at will! For those of you who now want to argue that point and tell me that you will go to war for your beliefs. Remember the tooth fairy? That belief fell by the wayside with a little new knowledge and a different perspective.

Look back into your history, how many other beliefs have you left behind with as you acquired personal growth, new knowledge and experience? Coming from Northern Irish Catholic stock - I attest to leaving a few unuseful but very strong beliefs behind along the way, that’s growth.

So I repeat – the most powerful belief we can have is that we can change our beliefs.

As you look at your unfinished goals again - examine them now in a new light, what limiting beliefs do you have which may have held you back?

Changing limiting beliefs can be as straightforward as speaking them aloud and acknowledging their existence. (Note: best done in privacy)

However for the more complex limiting beliefs Performance Coaching may be useful. Begin it now - Start shifting limiting beliefs and achieving your goals.

By: Liz Cassidy

Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Liz Cassidy, founder of Third Sigma International is an author, Facilitator and Executive Coach focused on creating outstanding results for her clients. For more information go to www.thirdsigma.com.au

The traditional beliefs about attaining success have left us coveting what others have, measuring our success by material accumulation and possessions, and unclear about the full process of bringing forth our destiny. I suspect that due to the pursuit of success, more believers have ended up depressed, oppressed, and doubting themselves. And what’s even more disturbing is that when the secular world looks into the lives of believers, we are often not experiencing the life and life more abundantly that God promises us.

It is time to break up the myths of motivation and the damage it has done to believers in our process of living out the fullness of God’s vision and calling for your life. If we could sort out the weeds among the truth we have been taught, we can learn to flourish in the life that God created you to live.

Don’t get me wrong, dreaming and motivation have had their place. As a matter of fact, motivation and dreaming are the first step to shifting your reality. It’s just time to evolve to the next level of human achievement – visionary attainment. I actually boldly say that is time to stop dreaming and time to align your life with God’s vision for your life.

The humble beginnings of the age of motivation began in the mid-1800’s with Henry David Thoreau’s radical philosophies of the time and evolved into the genre of personal success literature Charles F. Haanel ushered in in 1912. Napolean Hill then based most of his early works on Haanel’s work The Law of Success. Hill then captured a new level of personal success writing in 1937 with Think and Grow Rich, one of the best-selling books of all time. These philosophers and business men shaped what became known as The Philosophy of Achievement and helped an entire generation begin to create firm and deliberate beliefs out of the loose, haphazard thinking of the time.

Even with this philosophical literature opening up minds to what is possible the energy it needed to make the transition from an intellectual experience to real-life was mission. It needed human energy and passion to ignite. This is where motivation came in. Motivation was the missing key that linked the understanding of achievement to the energy it took to get in motion to move toward achievement. Motivation is having the desire and willingness to do something.

Fifty-eight years later, humankind made the shift from motivation philosophy to motivation. It took Hilary Hinton (Zig Ziglar) to come along and pave the way to an entire new industry of motivational speaking in 1970. Ziglar began the era of people keeping themselves energized and create the positive mindset it took to nurture their dreams. Motivation was a critical component in this evolution and it got us dreaming, which opens the doors to new possibility. Since the onset of the motivation movement, it has become evident that motivation is fleeting. Even the Father of motivation, Zig Ziglar, says, “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”

It has taken 37 years to come to a new crossroads. Now that you are all motivated and know how to tap into your positive thinking, the next evolutionary step is to master the process of attainment – actually living the life that you have been taught to dream about. There is something greater than dreaming and even your individual vision and it’s time to usher it in – God’s vision.

But first, we have to uproot the myths that have gotten in the way. The concepts and teachings of the motivation movement have thwarted believer’s ability to bring forth God’s vision for their lives. There are some fundamental spiritual truths that have been omitted from the equation of success that have left believers frustrated and unable to tap into the wealth we so often see being exuded from the pulpits of churches. Our addiction to motivation has led more believers than ever to experience depression, oppression and darkness in their lives.

Let’s take a look at a few of the top myths of success that do not fully align with The Word and uncover some beliefs that you, as a believer may have all learned.

Myth #1: You can do anything you set your mind to. Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.
The Truth: You can do anything through Christ who strengthens you and only a shadow of what you can do with Christ on your own. Even when you set your mind to it and adjust your attitude, God has pre-destined and called you for a specific purpose. And once He has allowed you to go through the fire to burn off your impurities and at the right season and time according to your measure of faith, the fullness of His vision for your life will manifest. It is when you apply your renewed, Christ-like mind to your calling that you can achieve all things that God created you to achieve.

Myth #2: Whatever you can conceive and believe, you can achieve. All things are possible for those who believe.
The Truth: While you conceive with you mind, this is only 1/3 of the picture. Not only must you be able to conceive what you desire, your spirit must align with what you deeply desire and your body or actions must fully support it. Even greater than all of these, it must be part of your calling or God’s predestined plan for you. It is God who plants your desire within you and therefore your challenge is to align your will with his will for your life through your thoughts, faith, works or action, calling and most of all, obedience.

Myth #3: If you persist and work hard, you can have anything you want.

The Truth: How many times has this been said from the stage? It is usually accompanied by pictures of large homes, yachts, and exotic cars owned by the speaker and the old adage, “Do what I’ve done and you’ll get what I’ve got.”

It is not by your works, education level or know-how alone that you achieve, God gives you the power to obtain wealth. Scripture reminds us that seeking The Lord first and foremost in your life, you should not want, but walk in the dominion and authority He has bestowed upon you. You are not to covet the material gain of others, but know that your blessings have your name and only your name on them.

Myth #4: Follow your dreams. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you imagined.

The Truth: If you seek the Kingdom of God first, all things will be added to you. Allowing your dreams to lead you can leave you down the road of someone else’s calling and purpose. Get clear about what God has created you to do, commit to it, and then, and only then, will you have access to all that God has set aside and promised you.

The part the no one talks about is the test phase that is an integral part of the process of attaining God’s vision. You will undergo a major, life-questioning test to prove your worthiness, seriousness, and commitment to step into the things of God. There is a the part of the teachings of the motivational movement that will always live on – keep persisting and don’t quit because there are great rewards in fully giving yourself over to God’s promise of life and life more abundantly.

With All My Heart,

Ericka

By: Ericka Jackson

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Ericka D. Jackson provides individuals, organizations, and churches with the tools to achieve God’s vision for their lives. Visit www.erickajackson.com for insights, techniques and resources to fulfill your calling.

Got Goals? - Your GPS To Success You’ve probably heard of the Harvard goal-setting study. Members of the class of 1979 were asked whether they had any goals. 3% of the class had written, specific goals for their lives after graduation. Another 13% had goals, but had not written them down. The remaining 84% of the class hadn’t set any goals beyond graduating and having a good time during the summer. In 1989, ten years later, the class was evaluated. Not surprisingly, the 13% with goals (even though they weren’t written) earned twice what the 84% with no goals earned. The shocker was that the 3% who’d written their goals earned ten times more than everyone else. The only difference? Their clearly-defined, written goals.

Goals make your actions intentional – on purpose, on task. There should be a direct connection between what you want and what you do. If you look at goal setting like planning a cross-country trip, you’ll get a good analogy. How successful would your trip be without a plan? If you don’t plot out exactly where you want to go, and how to get there, you’re doomed from the start. It’s nearly impossible to end up where you want to go without a plan.

Your plan must be tied to action – what you do, when you do it, how you’ll do it. With a plan in place, you know exactly what the next step is, and how much closer it’ll bring you to your destination. If your goal is to get from New York to California, everything you do should work together to get you there. You plot a route, you pack what you’ll need along the way, you drive with purpose. While you might enjoy the scenery along the way, you know that it’s part of the journey – not the ultimate end of your trip.

You know that each day you spend doing anything other than driving, you’re just delaying reaching your destination. You don’t just drive aimlessly, you take the most direct route. A solid goal and plan prepare you for obstacles in the road. You’ll run into mountains, dead-end streets, and traffic jams that’ll delay and detour you – but because your plan is in place, you’ll be able to stay the course and get right back on track.

Without a plan, any one of these troubles could completely derail you and leave you just looking at dreams and wishes again. Even with a system in place, you’ll face obstacles in the road – but you’ll have a solution-seeking mindset. It’s the GPS for your trip. It’s not the tradition Global Positioning System you’re thinking of – It’s my Goal Positioning System. With the Goal Positioning System, you can see exactly where you are on the path to where you want to go. Your goals are mapped – go this way for this long, then do this, and this. Everything you do becomes purposeful, intentional. You eliminate a lot of wasted effort because you’re constantly evaluating whether certain activities go along with your plan or not.

If it’s not moving you toward your goal, you don’t waste time doing it. When obstacles arise, you’ve got a solution-oriented plan and mindset that you can put to work to keep you on track. The system keeps you pointed in the right direction, and reminds you of the next right step to take. Without a goal and a plan, most people get knocked out by the first problem that comes their way. Successful people have a different mindset – a solution mindset. They are problem solvers, constantly looking for the best way to move past obstacles. They ask how they can move along, then take the steps they need to in order to stay on track. You’re going to face each day armed with action steps, and a system you will use to keep yourself accountable for how you spend your time.

Your goals will be constantly in front of your face so you remember where you’re going. GPS will keep you on track, reminding you not to deviate from the plan. James Villepigue shares with you, the proven systems that propelled him from a personal trainer to a National Best Selling Author and acclaimed business coach. James has created a highly personalized methodology, with programs that produce proven results for people in all walks of life. you can visit his website at: http://www.thegoalbook.com/

About the Author: James Villepigue Acclaimed Business Coach, Fitness Expert & National Best Selling Author of 16 books. For over 16 years, James Villepigue has helped hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world—of all ages and from all walks of life—achieve extraordinary results in their personal and business lives. you can visit his website at: http://www.thegoalbook.com/

Burning with motivation is not always easy no matter what you are trying to accomplish. For those that are trying to get fit, motivation can even be harder. Whatever it is that you are trying to get fired up to do; there are a specific tactics that can help. You can stay motivated to accomplish almost any goal.

Visualize and see Your Goals in 3D:

When you crystallize your goals and imagine what the end results will be, you are more likely to stay motivated. You may feel more motivated by a picture of what you are working towards or need a daily visual reminder of that dream vacation you are saving money for. By keeping a visual picture in your mind and imagining yourself at your end result, you can stay inflamed to accomplish any goal.

Reward Yourself Handsomely:

Keeping pumped up can be easier if you take the time to treat yourself when you reach small milestones along the way. If you are trying a new fitness plan, try to reward yourself with a new pair of gym shoes or maybe new workout equipment. Knowing that there is something good along the way to your goal will help keep you excited about achieving your goals and you will find second wind.

See an Energizing Movie or Listen to Motivating Music:

I do this all the time. You can get all keyed up to reach your goals by watching a motivating movie (war or boxing films do great) or listening to music that will get you pumped about your goals. Look for movies that will help you see others work hard to reach their own goals. You will come out of the movie feeling ready to get busy and accomplish your goals. Music can also help you stay motivated. If you want to walk more, invest in a good MP3 system and listen to upbeat music to keep you moving. An associate, Ricardo Laudico, keeps stashes of motivational music in a 40Gb Ipod to keep focused. Not surprisingly, he’s hit many short term goals in less than a year.

Set Bit-Sized Goals and take a Breather:

Whether you are working towards saving for a new house or going vegan to lose a few pounds, set manageable goals for yourself and take a break every once in awhile. By deploying small goals, you will not feel too overwhelmed at one time. You can work on each step that will equal to big results in the end. Also, if you do get overwhelmed, take a break. Achieving your goals will not happen overnight. If you feel frustrated, take a day off and rethink your plans. Richard Bandler, founder of NLP postulates the question: “How do you eat an Elephant?” The correct answer always is: “A Bite at a Time”

Seek a Wingman and do it for yourself:

You can achieve anything with staunch conviction. If you work on a goal because you believe you can do it, it will be easy for you to stay motivated. While working on your goals, if you do need an extra push, find a partner who can keep you on track. You may have a buddy who wants to lose weight or get in shape, too. Work with that person to motivate each other when your own motivation starts to slump.

Prove them Wrong. With Flair:

Each is motivated for different reasons, but one way to stay inflamed is to remember all the times someone told you that you couldn’t do it. Prove the negative people around you wrong and accomplish your goals to show them you can. While you should never try to live your life for the approval of others, your internal passion may improve when you try to impress others. Feel good about what you can do, and others will sit up and take notice.

See It as Fun that You want to do:

You may desire to achieve a goal that you find very difficult. It may help to stay motivated by finding something fun about what you are doing. Achieve your goals because you want to do it and not because others want you to. When you find intrinsic motivation, it will be easier to stay the course.

Seek Mentors and Help the Untalented:

Chat with others who labored to accomplish the goals you are working towards. Listen to what they have to say and consider their suggestions. For people who have already been there, they can offer valuable advice and this should help you stay motivated. It would also be good to aid others while you are accomplishing your goals. If you know someone else is depending on you, it will be easier for you to keep up the good fight.

Revitalize your Routine:

Boredom kills. The rut sucks the spirit. I know. I’m an entrepreneur… and as things go, businessmen do the same thing day in day out. As activities become mechanical, the flames for achievement go out. Stop that! Vary your lifestyle and do things differently. Your brain will enjoy the stimulation… and with it, returns your motivation.

About the Author: ***
Bestselling author of Psychic Seduction, Joseph R. Plazo conducts leadership executive coaching and helps people find great jobs in the Philippines.

Source: http://www.easyarticles.com

For an organized person or someone who dreams of achieving something, goal setting is of relative importance. Everyone wants to achieve something worthy of him, that’s a fact. If you do not set goals then it will be hard for you to distinguish if your every move has been triumphant or not. Have you ever imagined your life without goals to reach for? Have you ever felt complete? Have you ever felt contented with the every venture you go for?

Whatever personality you have, you do have goals. You mark a line as to what to achieve and when to obtain them. Whatever aspect your goal may be whether it is about your finances, something concerning your loved ones, your health, your studies, your work, or any little contribution you may give to your community entails a series of processes so they get to be fulfilled.

The Importance of Goal Setting

Have you ever tried boarding a bus without any idea of where to go? Have you ever taken an exam without the slightest idea of what answers to write? Or have you ever lifted the phone without any idea of whom to call and talk to? Now this is like working on something without knowing what to expect and what to fulfill.

Goal setting is required so you will be able to reap the valuable fruits of your efforts. Such strategy is needed in attaining what you truly desire. Goal setting serves as an outline of the plans you engage yourself with and includes the reason as to why you need to obtain them. Goals must be definite and they must be achievable. The challenge that lies in it is how you will manage to climb your way to success.

Overall, goal setting gives you the room to gauge your progress and to see how well you’ve moved forward. If you’re gradually accomplishing your target, then you can finally say that your goal setting scheme has worked well.

Things to Ponder On About Goal Setting

Goals inspire you. When you’ve set your goals, your drive to obtain them heightens. They move you towards their realization. General goals may often mislead you as you do not know for a fact which to focus on first. On the other hand, a much precise drawn goal is much easier to achieve as the direction you have to take is clearer and much recognizable.

Goal setting should be placed in a hierarchy. In accordance to being organized, your goals should be drawn as per their importance. There are different levels of goals and what matters most is to be sure that you want it and that you are determined to reach for it.

Goals ought to be written not just on a paper but also in your heart. For you to be gifted with great focus, it is best to specify, quantify, and clarify the goals you desire for.

Goals call for criteria. It does not necessarily mean that you be satisfied with the most minimal achievement just so you can say you’ve already obtained your goal. If you can push it to the highest limits, the better.

Goals must involve positive assertion. Once you’ve set your mind on a specific goal, you should stick to it. Whatever the obstacles that may come your way should be overcome.

The power of the mind coupled with the willingness of the individual enhances the materialization of the set goals. Moreover, goal setting is a vital ingredient in drawing success right into your midst.

About the Author: freenetpublishing.com is a free information site that offers articles and resources. If you want to read or share information on Self-Help, you're always welcome!

Source: http://www.easyarticles.com

Everyone needs a goal to achieve -- a golden carrot -- in order to truly succeed. Goals are what draw us ahead when times are tough. They are what help us overcome resistance and problems. The most important of these are personal development goals.

Here's the easy part: setting personal development goals for yourself. But the hard part is actually achieving those goals. One reason lots of people fail to reach their goals is that they made the mistake of setting blurry goals rather than crystal clear ones. Other people have a tendency to set a bunch of goals all at once. Still others choose target dates that are fuzzy or too far away.

The best way to set your personal development goals is to clearly state what you want to achieve. For example, it is great if you want to lose weight, but you have to choose a clear target at the beginning. Pick how much weight you want to lose, and write down your goal. Choose an exact number of kilos or pounds, and make it an achievable goal, not a fantasy. Don't set yourself up for failure. Say you want to lose ten pounds. Write that down, and create a simple exercise and dieting plan that will propel you down the path to that goal.

The second step to meeting your challenge is in setting the parameters. You've already established that you want to lose ten pounds. You have an exercise and diet plan ready to go. Now, give yourself a time limit. Let's say that you want to lose those ten pounds in two months. Five pounds a month. About a pound a week. That seems easily manageable. So now, you know the number of pounds you'll lose, you have a realistic time frame in place and you know exactly how you'll go about achieving success.

So the first step is done. You have established a personal development goal, and are taking the path to achieving it.

Remember not to set personal development goals that are too high at first; they can become unreachable. If you set the bar too high and fail to succeed as planned, you may find yourself tempted to give up as a failure. Your self-esteem can be negatively impacted, and your broader view of life. So make sure to set achievable, realistic goals.

And when you work hard and reach your goal, don't forget to give yourself a reward! A reward makes your focus and commitment worth something else besides the great accomplishment itself. You don't have to spend a bunch of money or eat a giant cheesecake that will start you gaining weight again, for example. Why not take a rewarding walk in a park, have a glass of good wine, or take yourself out to a matinee movie? Reward yourself for sticking to your plan and meeting your goal.

Once you've achieved your first personal development goal, you'll be ready to take on another. Remember to set your next goal in the same manner as the first: achievable, clear, and with a time frame. And then, there's no turning back. Who knows where your life will be in 5 or 10 years from now? After accomplishing a series of small, doable goals, you might be amazed where you will end up. All it takes is setting and accomplishing that first, small goal, and you are on your way.

By: Wyatt Pottoe

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Author Wyatt Pottoe writes for a variety of well-known web sites, on family parenting and home garden subjects.
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We’re all too familiar with the fate of New Year’s resolutions. To keep your goals from dissolving the same way, use these commitment-building tips:

1. Make them bite-size.

All progress is achieved a step at a time. Even if your ultimate aim is lofty or challenging, you’re more likely to reach it if you set a series of goals that you believe are attainable within the time range you set for them. Creating a goal that seems within reach not only gives you more confidence, but takes away the temptation to abandon your goal with the excuse that it was too hard.

2. Keep them short-range.

To maintain a motivating sense of urgency, set goals that extend out no further than 90 days. Many people find 30-day goals are ideal. Break larger goals down into short-range segments if you need to. It’s easier to identify the steps you’ll take on a weekly basis when your end point is in sight.

3. Limit the number of goals you tackle at once.

Ideally, work on only one goal at a time so you can give it your full focus and energy. Sometimes you may be able to handle two or three items at once without excessively diluting your effectiveness, but make sure the goals are in harmony with each other and know ahead of time what priority you give to each. That way, if you have to make a decision where to put your time, you’ll know which one should come first and which one you can postpone until another time if necessary.

4. Use target dates instead of deadlines.

Give yourself a little flexibility with your end-point by thinking of it as a target date instead of a deadline. You’re less likely to give up if it looks like you won’t make it quite on time. Real life does happen, after all.

5. Power them up with why’s.

You probably already know that you have to write your goal on paper. Along with it, write your “because.” Identify the benefits you’ll get from achieveing your goal. Know what it’s going to do for you, what’s in it for you, and how you’re going to feel when you have accomplished it.

6. Energize them with a daily R & R.

Each morning, repeat your goals (and the benefits for each of them)—preferably out loud, and preferably in a specific chair you think of as you goal-review chair. Every time you repeat your goals, you strengthen your commitment to them.

Before you go to sleep each night, review your progress. What can you learn from what happened relative to your goal today? What could you have done more of, or better? What did you allow to get in your way or undermine you? What did you achieve? What strengths did you exercise in regard to your goal?

7. Enlist the power of your subconscious.

Try using affirmative questions to get your subconscious working on ways to help you succeed. To create an affirmative question, turn a normal affirmation into a “Why” question that you repeat. Your subconscious won’t be able to keep itself from finding answers for you. For example, you might take the affirmation, “I am easily sticking to my diet,” and turn it into the affirmative question, “Why am I finding it so easy to stick to my diet?” Try it! It’s a powerhouse technique.

8. Celebrate your progress.

When you take the actions you laid out for yourself on a daily basis, congratulate yourself. Reinforce your choice to act by reminding yourself what an exceptional person you are and let yourself feel the satisfaction of that. Only a small percentage of the population is self-directed enough to actively work toward genuine goals. You stand above the crowd.

9. Find an accountability partner.

Especially if you’re new to goal setting, or when you are working on an especially challenging goal, enlist a trusted friend who cares about you to check on your progress on a weekly basis and not to accept feeble excuses if you slack off. Support groups and master mind groups can be helpful, too. Knowing you have to tell somebody else how well you did spurs you to stay on track.

10. Allow your success to happen.

Let go of any feelings that try to tell you that you don’t deserve to reach your goal. You deserve it just because you had the courage to set it. And if you have an off-day, accept it and pick up where you left off the next morning. Remind yourself that you can, and will, achieve whatever you decide to achieve, because it’s your life and you get to decide what experiences you’ll enjoy.

By: Susan K. Minarik

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Susan K. Minarik is the author of www.thetomorrowgame.com/Winning.htm” target=”_blank”>Winning the Tomorrow Game Get a subscription to The Magical Mirror ezine with enrollment in her free e-course, Live Your Dreams