What is standing in the way of achieving your goals? To achieve your goals, you must first create a vision. Then, identify categories within your vision, such as: employees, money, exercise, family and personal time, personal development and other things you want to acquire. Use the following guidelines to create and achieve your goals – and the life you truly desire:
1. Write down your goals. This is the most important aspect of goal-setting. Writing down your goals creates the roadmap to your success. You may choose to revise a goal as circumstances and other goals change. Changing a goal isn’t failure. Consider it a victory because you had the insight to realize the goal you set wasn’t perfect and you had the courage to make a change.
2. Your goals should be based solely on your vision. Write your goals in positive language. Your subconscious mind is a very efficient, powerful tool – its only function is to carry out instructions. The more positive instructions you give it, the more positive results you will get, and the faster you will get them.
3. Make your goals congruent with each other. In other words, one goal must not contradict any of your other goals. Example: A goal to buy a $750,000 home is incongruent with an income goal of $50,000 per year. This is called non-integrated thinking and will sabotage all of the hard work you put into your goals.
4. Make your goals specific, precise, clearly defined. Just like your vision, write out your goals in complete, vivid detail. Instead of writing “a new home,” describe the home you desire: “a 7,500-square-foot contemporary with 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, an office with a separate entrance, and a view of the mountains on 20 acres of land.” Giving the subconscious mind a detailed set of instructions is crucial to goal achievement.
5. Include a timeline. Timelines are vital to goal achievement. By when, exactly, must this goal be achieved? “This year,” “soon,” “in a little while,” or “later” doesn’t cut it. Pick a date. If it’s not on the calendar, it’s not going to happen. You must be able to measure exactly where you stand now against where you want to be in the future.
6. Make sure your goals are big enough. I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying, “Shoot for the moon. If you miss, you’ll still reach the stars.” Goals should inspire you to move forward, perhaps with a little bit of a knot in your stomach. If your goals are too easy, you won’t be as motivated to achieve them. If they’re too hard, you might become overwhelmed and not even take the first, necessary steps.
Take action right away to reinforce to your subconscious mind you are serious about achieving your vision.
