If you could only choose one way to radically improve the quality of your life, what single technique would you focus on? Let’s face it; in the field of personal development there is truly a wide variety of skills that can have a profound effect on your life. There are ways to modify your behavior patterns and change your belief systems.
There are also ways to alleviate your fears and motivate you to accomplish great things. If I could share just one game changing technique with you to help you become more successful in your life, I would sum it up in one powerful word, GOALS.
Are you goal oriented?
If you regularly set goals, write them down, make plans to achieve them, and work at it every single day, you can transform your life in a very short time. This simple process is well known and easy to follow, yet very few people actually put it to use in their life.
One of the things that almost all successful people have in common is the fact that they are goal oriented. Successful people will set a goal, design a plan to reach that goal, and then apply themselves until they succeed.
Amazing things happen when you set a goal and then write it down. This simple process starts a progressive chain of events that allows you to tap into unused resources. These resources are ready to respond to the direction you provide through goal setting. No one knows the limits of human potential, what we do recognize is that most people use only a small fraction of their natural abilities.
Unleash the power of goals
Getting clear and specific about a goal automatically raises your level of self-confidence. Goals energize and motivate you to achieve higher levels of success in every aspect of your life.
Hundreds of books have been written about the power of goals. Successful people through the ages have proclaimed goal setting to be the greatest contributor to their success. Personal development experts, life and business coaches, and success strategists all agree.
If you want to experience new levels of success in your life, why not listen to those who know? Set clear and specific goals, write them down, devise a strategy, and then work at it daily. If you struggle with any aspect of this process, my book TRUE SELF will walk you through the entire process step-by-step. The proven power of goals to transform your life is undeniable. Are you ready to use that power to turn your dreams into reality?
How powerful do you think goals are?
What is your degree of follow through on the goals you set?
If you had a step-by- step guide, would it matter?
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{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Jonathan: I tend to work with a tier of goals: Things to accomplish today, goals to reach in the next couple weeks, and so on, along with a handfull of longer term targets, even some pie-in-the-sky goals.
Hi Mike, I tend to operate much the same way. For me, goals come in all shapes and sizes with a wide variety of time frames.
Hi Jonathon,
A couple of quibbles.
This is entirely true with two provisos: that success is what you want; and, you choose the right goals.
Hi Even, there are many kinds of success. I always think in terms of personal success. It’s up to each of us to define what that means.As for choosing the right goals, that’s where the skill comes in. Not only do we need to choose correctly but we need to take consistent action.
Hi there,
I ‘m goal oriented especially when it comes to business.
I think fitness wise I’m fine but need to set up a list on improving my attitude. One of the reasons I’m here reading your words of wisdom.
Great post as usual.
Hi Bunny, attitude is a biggie, that’s for sure. When we master that one everything else seems to follow. Then life usually throws us a curve to show us that we are never really done working on attitude. It’s a journey!
Jonathan,
I find goals to be essential for accomplishing anything that is desired in life. I have a lot that I hope to accomplish in the coming year and I have goals and sub-goals for each one. I know that if I don’t then I will remain where I am and not arrive where I want to be.
Stacy recently posted..Powerful Thinking- Successful Living
Hi Stacy, you sound like a very goal oriented person. And yes, without goals accomplishment rarely happens.
The one technique I plan to focus on in 2011 is meditation. I believe that devoting time and effort to this practice will permeate all other areas of my life. So that is not exactly a goal, but it is a commitment.
Galen Pearl recently posted..Preparing the Ground
Hi Galen, I am glad you mentioned commitment and goals together. Too many people fail to realize that without a commitment there is no goal, just wishful thinking. Real goals always require a commitment.
Thanks for sharing. Goal setting is probably most important of all life skills and we should all really make good use of it.
Harry @ GoalsOnTrack recently posted..Forget New Year’s Resolutions- 4 Steps to Making Meaningful Changes in Your Life
Hi Harry, goals are how we get things done. Not that we need to be all hung up on being super achievers. But we should recognize and utilize the power of goals for making things happen.
Goals seem to be the theme these days, especially with 2011 just around the corner!
I think goals can be dominated by people focusing on the end result, which is a shame and not true at all. If you try and go 30 days without smoking, for instance, and you make it to 21 days, then some would consider that a failure. But I say it’s a success, a whole 21 days without smoking! All depends on perspective.
Hope you have a happy and healthy 2011
Stuart recently posted..4 Ways To Bring In 2011
Hi Stuart, I don’t think in terms of success and failure, just progress and learning. I know what you are saying about too much focus on the end result and that does seem to be a trend among some goal oriented people. For me it’s a way to chart the journey toward a destination, but the important thing is to enjoy the journey each step of the way.
It’s interesting to read Leo Babuta’s perspective from Zen Habits: he has gone minimalist with no goals at all, but I do believe in the power of goals. When you have a target with a list of actions to accomplish that target, you can get so much done in so much less time.
Steve-Personal Success Factors recently posted..How To Make A Million Dollars
Hi Steve, maybe when we have 200,000 subscribers we won’t feel like we need goals either. Thing is, goals are how Leo got where he is and that pretty much says it all, don’t you think?
Hi Jonathan,
I used to be very oriented toward goal setting when I was a manager. Now I’m more flow oriented and prize focusing on just the most important priorities.
As the new year dawns though, I am making an effort to be more systematic. I appreciate the advice and support you provide via your articles on the topic of goal setting.
I find this a fascinating idea to chew on:
“This simple process starts a progressive chain of events that allows you to tap into unused resources. These resources are ready to respond to the direction you provide through goal setting.”
Sandra Lee recently posted..Is a Lack of Forgiveness Holding You Back
Hi Sandra, I think it’s all still about having goals, but the approach and focus can be altered to fit our current thinking. Being aware of your flow and gently adjusting your direction according to your priority is still moving toward a goal, it just feels more natural and has that nice unfolding quality. What do you think about that?
By the way, my approach to goals is much like you described your current orientation.
I have one rule when it comes to goal setting- they can’t take away from my larger purpose…to live a joyful life. I choose to do that through a less worldly and more spiritual path, so most of my goals align with detaching from things that many people strive for. It’s a new, more positive, less stressful way of living for me.
Nea | Self Improvement Saga recently posted..11 Awesome Self Improvement Ideas for 2011
Great rule Nea, our goals should always contribute to our happiness and never detract from it. Being aligned with our true self is the key to making sure that we don’t create any internal conflict while pursuing our goals. Also, finding joy in the journey and not getting obsessive about the precise outcome helps us to enjoy the whole process.
Hello Jonathan!
You are right about the big variety of skills that can improve our life and goals are surely one of the top. But I think behind any strategy, we must have the ability to really just do it, if we don’t have the habit and skill to really do the things we wanted or made a goal, the efforts will fade. By the way, I usually don’t write my goals except when there are too many and I can forget some, I think we should be able to just say the goals to ourselves and do it without writing or, telling them to somebody (which is a totally different topic).
Thanks!
hyunsoung kim recently posted..our friend- time
So right, a goal that isn’t followed by action and commitment is just wishful thinking.
Jonathan,
Indeed it is that time of year! I have a new strategy for making my resolutions, which I have posted on my blog. In a nutshell I am going to simplify, and choose 3-5 major goals I want to achieve in 2011, and develop well-formed outcomes for each.
I think this method will not only ensure I complete my goals, but that each is meaningful to me and my family.
Have a great 2011!
Chris
Chris Akins recently posted..When inspiration strikes
Way to focus Chris. You’ve got a nice balance going here. If we take on too much we can’t accomplish anything. If we are too narrow in our focus we can easily become obsessed. My plan is very similar to yours.
Hey Jonathan!
Best wishes for 2011 man! I hope you have a fabulous year!
Looking forward to doing some collaborations with you!
All the best
Diggy
Diggy recently posted..Goal Setting Software for The New Year
Hey Diggy, best wishes to you too and thanks for your kind words and thoughts. This coming year should provide a lot of new and exciting opportunities for all of us.
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