Personal planning and goal setting for success
Personal planning and goal setting are two of the core elements you need to be successful.
First you need to clearly know where you are going, what it is you want to achieve. Do you want to loose weight – if so
how much and by when? Do you want to get a promotion – if so what is the new job you want and when do you want it by? Do you want to make more money – how much and by when?.
It’s absolutely vital that you spend some time thinking about what is it you want and understanding how important it is to you. If you don’t know the answers to these questions it would be a bit like setting out to go the supermarket without any idea where it is and what you are going to do when you get there. You wouldn’t waste your time like that would you?
Try to imagine yourself having achieved your goal – what would the result look like, how would you feel – write down the answer to these questions.
Once you have a clear understanding of where you want to go, it’s time to draw the map of how you’re going to get there.
In our supermarket example, if you didn’t know where the store was you would draw a map. It’s just the same with any destination you have in mind.
Start by looking at what you need to achieve to reach your goal – do you need to learn some new skills in order to get the job you want? If you want to loose weight, how much will you have to loose each week. If you want to make more money, what steps are you going to have to take.
Break your plan down into a few major goals and set dates for them. Does the plan look realistic, is it challenging but achievable? If not, you may need to rethink. If it does look challenging, that’s fine - it’s very important not to underestimate how much you can achieve!
Now starting with your first goal, break it down into small steps – each one should be something you know can do in a short space of time – hours, or at most a day or two.
Impossible to Fail
People are more than capable of creating compelling dreams, but the fear of failure often clouds the path. To avoid this pitfall, imagine that it is impossible to fail. What dreams and desires would you pursue if you were guaranteed success?
Your Ideal Life
Think ahead. Imagine living your ideal life in five years. Then ten and twenty years. What would you be doing? With whom would you be doing it? What would your life look like on a daily basis? Use the picture of a future life to create goals and desires in the present.
Get Specific
In order for you to create lasting change in your life, you have to be super specific about what you want. Vague ideas just won't cut it. The more specific you make your desires, the easier it will be to act on them. Cloudy hopes create obstacles. You have to know exactly what you want, down to the smallest detail.
Write it Down
When you get an idea for a goal you'd like to achieve write it down immediately. The simple act of writing your goals down on a sheet of paper will bring them one step closer to reality. Saying something is one thing, but when you actually see the words written down it becomes a living, breathing thing.
Small Steps to Great Success
While the nature of your dreams needs to inspire, you must also recognize the fact that it takes only small steps to create amazing changes. The dream will lead the way, but it won't come in one giant leap. Small steps, carried out each day, will bring you to the destinations you seek.
Who Are You Living For?
Many times people will accept the status quo because they are afraid of what other people would think of them if they strived for more. Fitting in becomes more important than moving ahead. Decide here and now that creating the life you want to live is far more important than blending in and living for the approval of others.
Search for Success Stories
The stories of individuals overcoming all odds and achieving their dreams surround you. Seek out and make these stories a part of your life. You are not alone in your search for happiness. Knowing that others have succeeded in the past can be enough to motivate you to succeed in the future.
The Overnight Success Myth
Success takes time. People who believe in the overnight success expect amazing results the minute they start working toward their goal. It's not going to happen. Don't let this get you down - it's a positive. When you know the truth about success you won't become upset when immediate results can't be seen.
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