Goal Setting – Why you Need to and How

Goals

Why do you need to set goals?

Because if you don’t have a destination, you can count on never getting there.

To begin with, look at where you are, physically, financially, in your job, your marriage, your family, whatever is a priority for you. Really think about it and write it down.

Why write it down? Trust me, it gives it so much more power. When you think of something, that’s it. It’s a thought, an idea, a wish even. But, when you write it down it becomes much more concrete. You can see it and touch it. It exists. Your brain gets it.

So, write down where you are. Next, decide, really decide, where you want to be. If you live in a 3 bedroom and you want a 4 bedroom, write it down. If you’re single and you want to be married, write it down. If you’re married and you want more passion in your relationship, write it down. If you make $40,000 a year and you want to make $60,000, write it down.

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Making 2010 count.

Feet Washing

It’s a new year and we’re thinking about how we can make this year special.  How we can make it important.  What we can do this year that really matters.

I asked permission to include the following letter from a very close friend of mine.  She spent the 2009 Christmas holidays volunteering at an orphanage in the Dominican Republic; 10 days helping to tear down and rebuild a building – nights playing, teaching and giving to the boys who live at the orphanage.  Her letter is an inspiration to me and I pray that it will also inspire you as you set your goals to make a difference in 2010.

“We’re going to have a spa for the boys!” What does that mean, exactly? Spa – as in manis and pedis? Seriously? You want us to wash their feet? With our hands? Have you seen their feet?

Christmas Eve 2009 was going to be as special for these boys as the impressive Orphanage Outreach team could make it. With a group of dedicated, albeit skeptical, volunteers – anything was possible.

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Goals – Have You Written Yours Down?

Goals

Did you write down your goals last January? Have you ever?

If so, then what?  Did you re-think them, review them, update them? 

If you haven’t charted a path for yourself, it’s very possible that you’re not moving forward. You’re moving everyday, so why not choose a direction?

No matter what, in order to succeed you need to set goals. 

First, make sure your goal is something you really want.  You may think you would like a yacht but would you really? A yacht can be “a hole in the water that you pour money into.” What is something important that really moves you?

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Hope is NOT a Strategy

Hope

That’s right, hope is not a strategy. You must prepare.

What is it that you want to do? What do you want to accomplish? What are your goals?

Write them down. Otherwise, they’re not real and you won’t remember or accomplish them.

Write them down. You can change modify and edit them, but write them down.

Create a business plan. If you’ve never done a real business plan, buy a template. It will ask you things that you won’t think to ask yourself. It will give you direction and, as you’re moving, keep you on course.

You can do something basic but I suggest you dig deeper and buy a plan. They’re available many places. I use Business Plan Pro. Let me know if you find a better template.

Remember, Hope is Not a Strategy!