How Are Those Goals Treating Ya??

What are your personal goals?
Can you obtain it?

These are just a few questions that inspire thoughts success in some, and a cringing realization of how far away success in life is for others. And for a few, these are simply two questions that will nonchalantly arise in life, kind of like that pimple that routinely rises to the surface and is the first thing to greet you (besides your alarm clock) in the morning.

For those who can smile in the face of those two simple questions, you’re already ahead of the game. You can read on if you have the time between closing your multi million dollar deal and planning your annual euro vacation. For everyone else read on, you might just like what you read.

First and foremost, personal goals and career goals ARE NOT THE SAME. When you think of a personal goal, think along the lines of what makes you happy and what truly means something in your life. And when I say the goal has meaning I really mean it. Career goals do help you get to some of your personal goals but are the “supplement” to your personal goal. For instance, a personal goal might be to live by the sea and be able to travel a lot. The career goal would be to obtain an occupation that supports this personal goal.

Next, are your goals legit?? Do you truly want to pursue and achieve them? This is a problem I usually see in some people I have consulted over the years. In their cases, they think they want to be fit. When asked for the reason behind it, they usually have reasons that will not help to keep them motivated and determined to succeed. Some have wanted to look good for beach season. A few want to look great because it is time (as if something Divine has told them it is time). Every once in a while I get a few who want be in shape because a family member or doctor told them to. So the reason has to have true meaning to you to succeed. The actual goals themselves are not impossible to obtain, but the desire behind it probably does not have enough meaning in these people’s lives to drive them to success. A desire should not only motivate someone to put forth the effort, but also keep him or her dedicated to the course of actions to get there. So the desire must be strong enough to endure the timeframe needed to get to the goal. Also, the actual desire begins on a high level of pleasure or pain and is specific and clear. A wise business man, who now has one of the most popular shows on TV, once said mediocre actions lead to mediocre results. Putting it together, a bad and good example of a successful goal:

Bad
I want a million dollars. Why? I don’t want to be poor. I want to live an easy life. I want to have a big house. I want a lot of crap.

Good
I want a million dollars. Why? (Specific Pain) my daughter has been diagnosed with cancer and to be able to afford the help she needs I will need the million dollars. (Specific Pleasure) I want to be able to go to Hawaii for my honeymoon, stay at a five star resort for five days and own a house in Boca Raton.

Third, a goal is just a dream until it is written down and backed by good reasons for it existing. I can’t stress this enough. Take ten minutes or so out of your life to focus on what you want out of it. If you really want it, it shouldn’t be that tough to conjure up in your mind. Remember, this is not a career goal. So if your goal is to have your name embossed in gold for most adored supervisor of the year at some overpriced coffee house, you might want to rethink why you want it. I can promise you it will be a big awakening moment. Getting back on track, write down your personal goals with the reason(s) it is meaningful. Hopefully, this part won’t have you up all night sharpening pencils down to a pointy nub.

Next, focus on the timeframe to get it done. That’s right; put the deadline protocols in place to really make it stick. The protocols are short term goals that will reinforce your efforts to get to the “gold”. Quick example, personal goal is to be freestyle swimmer in the next Olympics. First protocol is to seek out info and classes and find out as much as possible on the sport. Second, join a team or hire a coach. Third, best get your butt competing. This person would set up the protocols on a time basis. I really mean actually marking down realistic deadlines on a calendar. This will give a stronger focus on the long term goal via the short term protocols. And it will keep the action and emotion going and prevent the feeling of staleness and uncertainty.

Lastly, make sure your goal or goals are obtainable. The big keys to keep in mind for this adventure are the finances and resources necessary, the timeframe to get there, and the strength of your desire to accomplish it. So, becoming a movie actor/actress by February 2010 is possible, as long as your protocols to success are in place and are well researched, but becoming an Oscar worthy actor/actress by next year, may be slightly unrealistic.

Summing it up here, if you keep these points in mind and follow them when you go after a personal goal, you’ll find yourself in a more successful position to ultimately accomplish your personal goals.

Good luck