Setting Goals!
  Written By Darren

Approach that "impossible" goal in possible increments. Or, to put it another way: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

Sure, you may have heard that saying before, but it certainly has its merit when pertaining to business and setting goals for your success. As a matter of fact, goal setting is your first rehearsal for success.

Among business people of equal ability, those who set challenging goals for themselves almost always achieve more. Goal setting works. It increases your motivation, forces you to choose priorities and makes you accountable to yourself. Having goals makes it possible for you to succeed more often. And once you've set goals, the value of your time is clear.

No one is more interested in your success than you are. Set goals that are consistent with what you want for your life, goals you can get excited about. You'll stay motivated longer if you choose goals that benefit others too.

Having written goals helps. When you write things out, you see what's really important and what isn't because you're forced to make choices. Most motivation speakers talk about goals in pretty simplistic ways. Goal setting isn't as simple as it sounds. In fact, it's difficult enough that very few people take the time to set goals for themselves. The process itself reminds them of what they HAVEN'T done.

Some people throw away the possiblity for success before they even start, by setting limiting or unrealistic goals, or by setting too many. As someone who wishes to achieve success, I find it best to get a good fix on which goals are actually within my grasp. It's important to examine my past realistically before I set them. Goals must be believable to you and usually to other people who need to support you.

On the other hand, many people don't think big enough. They put an imaginary ceiling on their possibilities. Even more people have big goals and never take action on them. They have no plan, no specific steps toward their goals.

If you get the feeling that your goals are not really possible to achieve, take another look at them. Ask yourself what you really want with each one. Sometimes what you really want is one aspect of a goal, one you can accomplish without accomplishing the whole thing.

As you begin setting goals, start with the longest planning horizon you're comfortable with. Each of us has our own secret mission. Having a few important long-term goals provides a different perspective on the obstacles and problems along the way. It also assures you that your short-term goals are driving you toward a destination you'll be happy with. Focus your efforts, but not too narrowly. Set quality goals for your life as well as quantity goals. Your long-term goals should be broad enough to be accomplished with a variety of strategies. Those that are successful often don't know precisely how they'll meet their long-term goals. They experiment and find their way.State your goals as measurable results, not as activities. They are really descriptions of what things will be like if you succeed. Review your goals frequently. Some goals you'll reach, some you won't. Some you'll realize aren't worth the price you're paying to achieve them. Some of your goals will start to conflict with others you've decided are important. Throw out any goal that isn't what you really want any more. Changing your goals may seem like giving up, or destroying everything you've worked so hard to build. It's not. Consider the experiences your stepping stones. Goals aren't sacred. In fact, you should expect them to change. You're always learning from experiences in life, and you may find something you value more. Set goals and invest yourself in them. Don't reinvent the wheel...just get it moving.

Belief is important. Merely the suggestion of success can increase the probability of success. The probability of reaching your goals should be so clear that you experience almost the same feelings just thinking about them as you will when you actually achieve them. This natural "high" helps you sustain your energy. Setting goals begins with commitment. Almost anything is possible when you really want it. Believing in something gives you the courage to stay on track.