Goals are what separate the winners from the posers…
We’ve all heard people say they want to write a book, master a foreign language, open their own business, get a degree, stop smoking, whatever. There’s only one problem, they never do.
A lot of people talk a big game, but when it comes down to it, it’s not what you say that matters, but what you do. And the truth is many people don’t do much in regards to their hopes and aspirations.
We have a word for that, it’s called dreaming.
A goal, on the other hand, is a dream with a deadline.
Moreover, a goal is measurable. Being rich is a dream, having $1 million is a goal.
Rich is ambiguous so we’re able to adjust our expectations while a million dollars is clear and set. There’s no room to wriggle our way out.
A goal is also something you can break down into smaller individual parts all working to achieve that one goal.
Say writing a book is your goal, then in order to do so, you would have to do the following:
- Write the book
- Publish the book
- Sell the book
Writing the book is actually the easy part. Simply sit down and write a page a day. That’s it, one page. If you can do that, then in a year’s time you most likely have everything you need for your first book.
Publishing the book will require research. Do you want to self-publish or find a publisher? There are pros and cons for both which need to be delved into.
As for selling the book, just how do you intend to do that? Will you create a website? Are you going to create videos or bonuses for your readers (a must for the self-help industry)?
All that’s left to do is decide by when and then go about making it a reality. Break it down into manageable pieces and create STAGs (short term achievable goals).
But one mistake I think people make when it comes to goal setting is they focus on financial goals alone when that’s just one piece of the puzzle.
This is something I was reminded of when listening to Foster Hibbard’s “The Art of Total Living.” In the program Hibbard talks about 4 areas in which to set goals:
- Love (relationships)
- Health (mental & physical)
- Career (self-expression)
- Money (how will you spend it, invest it, what will you buy)
Money alone won’t make you happy. I can’t tell you how many rich people are living lives they hate simply because they failed miserably in the other 3 areas.
What good is a billion dollars if you’re sick, hate your work and have no one to enjoy the money with?
Life, as I’ve always said believed, is about balance. The same is true when it comes to goal setting.
We must nurture our relationships, whether it’s with our parents, our children, our spouse, our friends, or our coworkers, doing what we can to show other people that we love and appreciate them being a part of our lives.
Health is something most young people take for granted. When you’re 18 years old, it’s hard to imagine feeling aches and pains just from everyday activities, but they come.
I made the change some 3 years ago when I decided to start yoga as a way to help my back and it has made a world of difference. Karate, which I started a year and a half ago, also helps keep my body young.
Taking care of our physical condition is one thing, but we can’t forget to take care of our mental condition. Meditation is one way. Karate, another. We all must find something that helps us forget about the troubles of the world, even if for just a few hours. Stress is quickly becoming a silent killer in today’s fast pace world, so we must do whatever we can to release it in a positive manner.
When it comes to career, since we spend eight hours a day working, then isn’t it worth finding something that gives us satisfaction. Sure, we all have bills to pay, but going home at the end of the day knowing you made a difference in someone’s life is more powerful than you might think.
I suppose that’s why I’m attracted to education. Each time I hang up the phone with a client, finish a one-on-one session, or get done with a seminar, I feel a sense of joy knowing I helped another person, if only to bring a smile to their face.
As for money, it’s not enough to simply accumulate it, we must set goals regarding how to use the fruit of our labor.
It may sound silly to create goals in every part of our lives, but goals give us a clear target to aim for. Without goals, too often we lack direction and, as a result, can end up being easily distracted.
I’m asking you to get serious about creating your better future. I’m asking you to take charge of your life.
It’s not hard, but it does require a little time and effort on your behalf.
Don’t do it for me, do it for you.
Adrian Shepherd