5 Reasons Why Goal-Setting Will Make Your Life More Amazing

Goals. We've heard about them most of our lives. But why should we set them? How will setting life goals increase the quality of our lives?

1) We become the empowered directors of our lives

"If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time." - Zig Ziglar

When we set goals, we're making it clear to ourselves, our families, our communities, and the entire Universe that THIS is what we want.

Clarity is power and by becoming clear on what it is that we want in our lives, it gives us greater focus and direction to enjoyably improve our lives... and as we grow, we have more to give which makes us feel more fulfilled.

2) Goal-setting allows us to transform our vision and dreams into reality

"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible." - Tony Robbins

When we talk about our dreams, the truth is it's still a dream unless we've scheduled and planned it into our lives... that's when it becomes real.

Having a clear result, knowing our purpose for wanting to attain it, and have a chunked down action plan gives us the power to actively and measurably progress in any area of our lives.

3) We grow and become greater versions of ourselves

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." - Henry David Thoreau

I believe the purpose of setting and achieving our goals is for us to grow as a person. During our quests and journeys of accomplishing goals, we may be redirected towards a greater goal... a greater focus... however, throughout the process we grow and become better versions of ourselves. All the people, knowledge, experiences, mistakes, wins, challenges, and serendipitous encounters impact an expansion of our consciousness and growth as a greater, more whole human being.

4) We activate the RAS (reticular activating system) in our brain

The what???

Yes, the reticular activating system is what allows our subconscious mind to be able to find things in our environment that relate to what we want.

Your RAS is like a filter between the subconscious and the conscious mind as it brings your attention to whatever is relevant to you in the given moment.

The RAS can also be deliberately conditioned to bring relevant attention to whatever relates to your goals, desires and wants in life. This can be done by bringing focus and awareness to what your goals are by checking your goal-setting plan consistently, and also through utilizing visualization techniques.

5) They help us better self-actualize and upgrade our lifestyles

"Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance." - Brian Tracy

When we set life goals, take massive action towards attaining them, we end up learning and internalizing life lessons that expand our consciousness and bring out the new, greater, more whole version of ourselves. In this way, goal-setting allows us to improve in self-actualization: the realization or fulfillment of one's talents and potentialities, especially considered as a drive or need present in everyone.

As we achieve greater goals, we have the opportunity to upgrade our lifestyles... which can include living a healthier, more active and adventurous lifestyle that includes training and competing in Spartan Races, or enjoying a deeper, more loving and fulfilling relationship with our beautiful partner, or having more income and lifestyle freedom to work while we travel.

So... how can you utilize and amplify the power that goal-setting will give you in your life right now?

There are several ways...

- Creating a 1,3,5 and 10 year vision for each area of your life

- Chunking down that 10 year vision into 3 month progress benchmarks for the current year

- Creating vision boards and having them around your house in areas where you consistently will see them

- Having awesome accountability partners

- Creating a weekly and daily results-focused plan

Create your goals, align them with purpose for motivation and drive, and take massive and effective action towards creating 2015 the best year of your life... and those to follow even better!

http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Reasons-Why-Goal-Setting-Will-Make-Your-Life-More-Amazing&id=8893994

How to Set Powerful Goals You Can Achieve

Match Your Core Values

The more any goal fits into one of the four main areas of life - Family, Financial, Physical or Personal - the more likely you are to be able to set a realistic goal that you can achieve. If a goal for some reason doesn't fit into one of your core values, it's not likely you'll experience much success.

Be 100 Percent in Control

While goals that rely on others aren't wrong, they are harder to achieve. Any goal that you control 100 percent is a goal that you can reach. Do ensure that you're not letting fear get in your way or blaming fate for your failures, though. Self-limiting beliefs can get in your way on this one. Be realistic about whether you do have control or not and give yourself more credit. For example if you think you do not have control over your financial future because "that's just how it is," you are mistaken and need to eliminate this line of thinking.

Be Able to Envision the Goal

If you can't see the end result, it will be very difficult to move forward toward achieving the goal. If you need to draw a picture, make a vision board, or take a day out to fantasize about your big dreams and see how they all fit together in the big picture of your life, do so. You need to see the end to be able to truly achieve it.

Be Spelled Out Specifically

Every goal you make needs to be very specific in nature. If you really want to be sure to reach the goal, you have to know when you reached it. Instead of saying "I want to start a business," state exactly what type of business you want to start, who you want to be your clients, and other information that makes the goal more concrete.

Be Measurable

At which point have you achieved the goal? If you can't give a number or something that is measurable, then you won't have a real goal. If you want to use the business example, you might include that you want to earn x amount of dollars each week by a certain date and then how and why you are going to do it.

Be Actionable

To achieve any goal there has to be steps that you can take to get there. Like using a map to reach a destination that you want to go to on vacation, you need to draw a map to your vision of success with the steps and paths you'll take along the way. Put not only what but when, and how you'll accomplish the step.

Be Realistic

You don't want to write a goal that is too hard to achieve or worse, impossible. Be sure that it's scientifically possible to do it by researching everything realistically. For example, you're not likely going to start a business today and earn six figures by tomorrow or even the first year in business. Look at the research and determine what is doable and how you'll do it.

Be Timely

Every goal has to have a time limit otherwise you may never achieve it. Start with the end and work your way back to today, creating the list of things to do each day to finally reach the end result. But, do set a time limit. You can adjust as you get into the project if it works to be more realistic, but resist the urge to change the time because you're not sticking to your task lists.

If you use this method to create powerful goals that you can achieve, you will not experience a lot of failure because you can always adjust your time line and your goals as you learn more. The important thing is to give each goal a lot of thought, consideration and study before setting it.

Cheers to your future and your greatness within it!

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Set-Powerful-Goals-You-Can-Achieve&id=8879720

No Arms No Legs No Worries

5 Ways to Focus and Achieve Your Goals

Goals are very important so today I wanted to focus on 5 ways to hold your focus and achieve your goals.

Life, accomplishments, success, and advancement all depend on having goals and doing what it takes to achieve those goals.

The secret is to have one focus set on success.

This helps to keep your thoughts concentrated, and your energy does not get dissipated by going in a lot of different directions.

It's easy to get distracted by finding ways to focus on other things, but the key is to build momentum in all things relevant to the goal instead of distraction.

It is all about focus and with focus you can achieve your goals.

We will discuss more about ways to hold your focus in a bit...

But let's get into the power of goal setting and what it can do for you in your life.

The first and most important step is to put your goals in writing. Some place where they are easily visible and allotted time that you can focus on them daily.

Take time out of the day to allow yourself a chance to visualize, focus, and execute them as needed. Look at them often and ask yourself questions on how you can achieve your goals.

Most people who set goals and create a plan to set those goals end up finding themselves headed in the right direction when given a purpose.

It's like a Captain and his ship. To get to where you are going you need coordinates and an effective plan to reach your destination. Goal setting is no different.

Those that do not set goals usually get left in the dust wondering and questioning why success seems to elude them.

While I realize there are people who naturally enjoy success without setting goals, most of us have to if we have any chance of getting from point A to point B.

In my experience with goal setting, past and present, I find that in addition to writing them out, pictures of my goals and associated items, help me to visualize actually having them.

I do this with the use of a vision board or a dry erase board where I right down ideas, plans, timelines, etc.

It gives me the confidence to think that it is just a matter of time until everything will be completed, as well as a road map to help me do the necessary things needed to feel like I'm going in the right direction.

This really helps to subdue any negative vibes that may arise during the journey.

If that plan fails, it's back to the drawing board with a new plan until my goal is completed.

One thing I can tell you is without consistency you will never achieve anything. The power of consistency is vital in achieving many things.

It's about making a decision and going full throttle.

In the past I've struggled with consistency. Struggled with believing that the work I was doing was for nothing. And have struggled with friends and family not supporting or believing in what I was doing.

Get to a point where you make up your mind. Whether anyone is there with you or not you have to do it for YOU. YOU and YOU only even if you have nothing else to stand on find something that will motivate you.

Having a background in sprinting, weightlifting, and fitness I still have issues with working out consistently, but it's a passion for me and I can never leave it alone.

But I've realized that it never gets old and it's part of me. The journey of staying consistent is what makes is so exciting.

I have also been in the internet marketing space for some years now and have yet to have any huge successes because of my lack of consistency. Always finding excuses or ways to cut back and eventually give up.

There should be no excuses no matter what the circumstance. If there's something you want bad enough you do what you need to get to get it. Period!

I can remember a few years back...

I was broke, jobless, going through legal troubles, and had no direction in my life. Everything seemed to not be going my way, but I realized it was all created by my thoughts and my lack of having any real, DESIRABLE goals.

It's about developing a mindset, becoming success driven, goal-oriented, and focused. Pushing the negative self talk aside every chance you get. And coming up with ideas you immediately act on.

Break them down into smaller actions, and then into smaller actions until you come up with something simple, something that does not seem so big it discourages you from finishing.

Anything within reason can be achieved when broken down into something smaller and more manageable. Focus on each process and allow the event to happen, instead of focusing on the event and finding ways to shortcut the process.

The process is the most important part. The event is the reward you reap for completing each process and becoming a problem solver. That's what goals are about.

With that being said let's take a look at what you came here for...

5 Ways to Focus and Achieve Your Goals:

1) Write down your goal/goals and review them frequently. Immerse your mind, thoughts, emotions, feelings, and actions in the process.

2) Create a vision board or a plan that will allow your mind to give attention to your goals daily. It should become a point where even when you aren't consciously thinking about your goals your subconscious is still working on a solution.

3) Talk about your goals every chance you get, review them every chance you get, and find people that will hold you accountable. Commit yourself to doing this daily.

4) Break down your goals to steps that become simple, be specific with the small things needed to complete the ultimate goal.

5) Set your mind to 'WIN', there is no other option to consider. Create the illusion that your back is against the wall and the only way out is to succeed.

Developing focus is a principle to success. Build momentum in all things instead of distraction. Make it work for you.

Don't be allowed to question yourself and ask others for help. Even if you think the question may be stupid.

Make a checklist of the 5 strategies listed above and place them where they can be seen. Review them as often as your goals.

These are the building blocks that will help you become the person you need to be to ultimately win in the end.

You Can Do It!

http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Ways-to-Focus-and-Achieve-Your-Goals&id=8936900

Keys To Success

How to Develop a Good Habit

Q: Why don't nuns have to worry about deciding what to wear?

A: Because they have a habit.

A habit is a shortcut that makes your life easier because you don't have to spend energy choosing to do it. It's mentally exhausting thinking about every action and every behaviour. If you're spending several minutes two or three times a week looking for your keys that adds up to a lot of frustration and wasted time. And that may point to an area in your life in need of a habit. Similarly, if you've been meaning to incorporate, say, journalling into your morning practice, but it just hasn't happened, then it's pretty clear you haven't developed that habit. Or if your car stays super cluttered and that bothers you, then there may be another habit you need to develop.

Your schedule consists of three basic elements-appointments, to-do items, and habits. An appointment is a commitment with yourself or with another person. Your to-do list is essentially a wish list-it's like that drawer in your kitchen where you dump all that stuff that doesn't have a home yet. And habits are the third element. Brushing your teeth, for example, is not a to-do item, nor is it something we typically put on the calendar as an appointment. It's a habit-something we do on autopilot.

I'd like to invite you to consider a habit that you would like to develop, then spend 30 seconds identifying a strategy, and then make that strategy a rule. Strategy turns to rule and then, with any luck, that rule becomes a new habit.

Let's take the example of someone who spends several minutes each week looking for her misplaced keys. In her 30-second problem-solving period she might come up with a reasonable strategy like, "When I walk in my house, then I'll put my keys in the candy dish by the door." Next, she'll make that strategy a rule. She'll add an evening reminder to her calendar and if she has not followed her rule, she will stop what she's doing and over-correct: She'll pop downstairs and put the keys into the candy dish five times. She is over-practicing, or over-rehearsing, in an effort to lay down this new habit.

Step two is to make that strategy a rule in the form of when/then: When I walk in the door, then I put the keys in the dish. And step three is to make an appointment with yourself at the end of the day to determine whether in fact you have followed through. If you've picked a good strategy, this process should yield a new habit easily enough. On the other hand, if you don't find that your new habit is easy to establish, you might need to go back to the drawing board and spend another 30 seconds identifying a new strategy.

Let's try it

OK, let's go: Spend 30 seconds right now identifying a strategy in the form of when/then. For example, "When I leave the office, then I will head straight to the gym." Or, "When I order a salad, then I'll request dressing on the side." Or, "When my supervisor speaks sharply with me and I want to say something rude, then I'll place my tongue at the roof of my mouth right behind my front teeth and count to five."

Go ahead, identify the strategy; if you feel stuck, reach out to some creative friends. Just make sure that you've come up with a good strategy before you move onto the next step-making that strategy a rule. Agree with yourself in writing: Put it on your calendar. And schedule an evening check-in.

Develop a strategy, make it a rule, and develop a new habit. Wash, rinse and repeat...

Good luck with this process, tell me bout your successes or frustrations developing a new habit. Especially tell me about any tweaks to the process that made it more effective for you!

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Develop-a-Good-Habit&id=8889047

It Will Happen

How to Prioritize Your Goals

As to which goals are most important at any given time, you'll need to ask yourself some questions to determine where to place your focus.

* Which goals nag at you most often? What keeps you up at night that worries you? Are your finances suffering because you cannot earn enough money at your current job and you want to figure out how to get off the debt treadmill? This is a goal that fits in with all four of the areas above because financial stress can cause a lot of problems with your health and personal development as well as cause problems within the family.

* Which goals can be accomplished most easily? Some goals are very short term but give maximum impact without too much work. For instance, maybe you have a goal of walking 15 minutes per day. This goal may only fit in with the personal and physical areas above, but walking 15 minutes per day will not take much away from the other areas and can give you huge results and a feeling of accomplishment.

* Which goals would give you the most pride in yourself? Will you feel better if you lose 20 pounds or will you feel better if you spend 20 minutes extra with your son? Keep in mind there is no wrong answer, although being healthy might ultimately give you more time in terms of years with your son.

* Which goals have the most permanent results? When choosing whether to spend that extra money on your degree, determine how permanent the results are, and realize that no one can take that degree from you; it will always be an accomplishment. What is it worth?

* Which goals will still impact me in 5 years, or 10 years? If you start a business today, and work daily toward meeting the goals of that business, what will be different in five or ten years? How will that impact you now and in the future?

* Which goals align with your core values in life? Any goal that fits into all four areas of your life is worth pursuing if it also fits into your schedule at the time.

* Which goals are completely up to you, that you control 100 percent? Remember that you cannot control what anyone else does, so if any goal relies on the participation of someone else, and you don't have their participation, you might want to switch gears and focus on something only you control.

* Which goals are just for you? Some goals are completely personal in nature and have nothing to do with anyone else. For instance, you might want to read a particular author that has nothing to do with anything but your own pleasure. This is perfectly fine.

* Which goals are just for others? There are "shoulds" that often get in the way of proper goal setting and these are goals that are only for other people. Your spouse wants you to lose weight, your mom wants you to go to college, your best friend wants you to start a business. None of these are a good reason to do something, although as long as you know going in why, it's okay to make it a goal.

* Which goals cause you the most fear? Why? Sometimes the very thing you fear most is what's best for you to do. Look clearly at your goal and figure out why it frightens you. Sometimes it's the unknown, and like ripping off a Band-Aid, just doing it might be the best cure.

* Which goals make you excited? Some goals immediately send tingles down your body and into your mind, pushing you forward to doing it. These are goals that are easy to do and probably impact your life a lot. However, do pay attention because if it's a goal of becoming the high scorer on a video game you might want to question your "why".

* Which goals are most realistic? The best goals to put first are the goals that best fit into your life today, cover all four areas of life, and still fit into your schedule and where you control 100 percent of the effort.

When you answer all these questions, you'll be able to see how the goals practically organize themselves. Try making a chart and adding each goal to the four areas, then choosing the ones that cross the most areas to add to your schedule first.

Cheers to your future and your greatness within it!

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Prioritize-Your-Goals&id=8879723

Achieve The Impossible

Say Goodbye to the Old Year!

Ever wonder why we make such a big deal about resolutions when so many people either don't make them (less than 40%) or if they do, only about 8% actually happen? Wishful thinking maybe? Or possibly, "Where did I hide that magic wand anyway?"

So if they don't work, how about for starters we just throw out the whole idea of resolutions. Let go of the practice entirely. Decide that this year you just won't be joining that crowd.

"But what is the alternative?", you may ask. Do we just give up, hang our heads, and never get what we want or need? That seems as unworkable as a resolution.

My answer is to, instead, just set a straight up reasonable goal or intention with no pressure, no fanfare, no guarantees. Don't make any unreasonable promises either. And definitely don't run out and buy the first gadget, expensive software, or gym membership to incent you to actually do it.

Unless you are the type who needs your feet put to the fire or someone chasing you with a hot poker to ensure you get them done, then by all means hire someone to do that for (or with) you. Barring that, there is no better way to get what you want or need than to just take one small step towards it.

No big deal made of it. No huge announcement.

Still not feeling the love? Then how about this approach, one that I developed which combines a few tools I've used in the past along with a new, fun one I picked up this year.

Here goes... the simple, easy plan...

First, get a piece of paper or two (a journal if you prefer) and write down as many WINS and successes from last year you can possibly remember. Pull out last year's calendar to help remind you. Ask someone who knows you well to help fill it in even more. This is your time to pat yourself on the back and remind yourself of your successes. This is not the time to berate yourself for so little accomplished or to rag on yourself for not getting more done. Pats on the back only please!

Second, next to each win, ask yourself, "What did I learn or glean from this win or success?" Write that down next to the win. No belittling allowed here. There was a reason you accomplished it, no matter how small you deem it. What was the outcome? How did it make you feel?

Third, scan your list of what you learned from each win or success. What do they have in common? Do you see a trend or commonality? If so, write that down.

Fourth, use that commonality in setting your new goal or intention. One goal or intention. Not a huge list (unless you love lists and they motivate you), just one, simple, straight forward intention.

And finally, say goodbye to the old year. Now that you've gleaned from it what you need, let it go, send it on its way with a loving "bye, bye!" Make a celebration or ritual of it, a goodbye party if you wish, or light a candle and say a prayer but do say goodbye in an intentional, clear way.

No hanging onto the past. Now it's time to take your first baby step.

No guilt please. Say goodbye to that too. And remember, that failure is part of the process. Every successful endeavour has a few missteps or goof ups. Use those for your course correction and step once again onto your path to your accomplishment.

No step is too small. No accomplishment is unimportant.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Say-Goodbye-to-the-Old-Year!&id=8910464