Dear Friend,
The significance of a man (and woman) is not in what he attains
but in what he longs to attain.
Kahlil Gibran
We've made it through 48 weeks of 2008, we have four weeks left until 2009.What else do you want to accomplish this year? Is there one goal you have yet to accomplish? If you accomplished this goal, this year you would look at yourself and feel empowered and excited for 2009.
What is a goal? According to Merriam-Webster a goal is, "the end toward which effort is directed." In the most general sense a goal is something that we want to achieve or attain.
Maybe your goal is a clean desk, an organized pantry, a cold call you've been putting off, attending a networking event, putting yourself out there to meet someone new - personally or professionally, saying "no" to new volunteer opportunities, losing a few pounds, whatever your goal - you have four weeks left in 2008 to either accomplish your goal or make tremendous headway toward achieving your goal.
Five Questions to Ask Yourself
1. What is your goal? Take a minute and close your eyes and think of a personal or professional goal of yours. Once you have identified this goal write it down.
2. Is this a pure goal versus a "should" goal? If yes, continue. If no, return to question number one.
3. What will be different in your life once you have accomplished this goal? Close your eyes and imagine that you've already accomplished this goal. What is different in your life - How do you feel? How do you look? What are you doing? Create a vivid mental picture of everything around you. Have you ever heard the phrase, "Dress for the job you want, not the job you have?" Well this phrase is similar to goal setting. Act as if you've already accomplished the goal and the vision you create will pull you toward your goal.
4. What is your plan to achieve this goal? Use the phrase SMART to create a plan to achieve your goal.
Specific - Goals should be as specific as possible
Think about who, what, when, where and why.
Measurable - Goals should be measurable
Ask yourself - How much? How many? How will I know this goal has been achieved?
Achievable - Big goals that push us are fabulous, but goals that are too big and cause us to break down are not so fabulous. Ask yourself - Am I pushing myself at an appropriate level to achieve this goal?
Relevant - Base your goals on your core values and purpose in life rather than a "should" or an "ought to" goal.Ask yourself - Is this goal relevant to me and my larger mission? If yes, continue. If no, adjust your goal accordingly.
Timely - Creating urgency and deadlines fuels us. Select a deadline and manage to that deadline. Ask yourself - What is the time-frame to achieve this goal?
5. How will you celebrate once you reach your goal? What will you do to acknowledge your accomplishment? Who will celebrate with you? Who will you need to thank for their role in your success?Your celebration may be large or small. It may simply be a massage or it may be a catered party at your home.
Make It Happen
Take out a piece of paper and return to question one. Work your way through these five questions to develop a plan to reach your goal - personal or professional. Once you reach your goal, don't forget the most important part - the celebration. It is critical because it "locks-in" your success. The celebration is the wax after a car wash or the sealant after you've refinished your floors. It is the critical component that seals your success.
Blessings to you!
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