Five Steps to Goal-Setting

What would you like to achieve in your lifetime?

Author Basil S. Walth once said, "If you don't know where you are going, how can you expect to get there?" These are words well spoken, because whether you're working toward freelancing full-time or selling your novels, you need a roadmap.

Goals are indispensable. They provide direction, long-term vision and short-term motivation. They separate the important from the irrelevant. Goals also build self-confidence by helping you grow as an individual.

Olympic athletes, successful business people, and (hint?) bestselling writers are goal setters. You aspire to greatness too, don't you? If you do, and you're not already setting goals, now is the perfect time to start.

Five Things to Remember When Setting Goals:

1. Write Goals Down

Always jot down your goals-this is powerful. The process of physically seeing your goals helps crystallize them in your mind. This process also better enables you to commit to them.

Interesting Fact: A popular Harvard Business School study once found that only 3% of the population records their goals in writing. Another 14% have goals but don't write them down, whereas 83% do not even have clearly defined goals. More interesting is that this 3% earned an astounding ten times that of the 83% group!

2. Make Goals Short, Attainable, & Measurable

Set attainable short-term goals that can be measured. This means setting quantifiable goals.

Here are some examples:

• Commit to writing a certain number of words each week

• Submit at least two articles a week

• Find two new markets each week

• Take at least one writing course a year

• Attend at least one writer's conference a year

Make your goals attainable so you won't get discouraged. The short-term goals above are attainable for me, but they may not be for you. Or maybe for you, my short-term goals aren't challenging enough.

Goals are very individual. You have to set your own goals?remember, you're charting your own course to success!

On the other hand, don't set wimpy goals simply because you're afraid to fail. Talane Miedaner, author of Coach Yourself to Success (McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books, 2002) notes: "People sometimes give themselves 'weeny' goals-they play it safe so they don't fail?But the bigger the goal, the more likely you are to achieve it."

3. Create Deadlines

Without deadlines, your goals are merely dreams. Set deadlines for both short- and long-term goals, and I promise, you'll get there sooner!

Remember that deadlines can be flexible. Life changes and so do goals. Never be afraid to adjust the timeframe for a goal. What's important is to keep moving forward.

4. Look at your goals everyday!

Visual aids are an effective way to program your brain.

Reading and re-writing goals are two very effective visual aids. By physically rewriting your goals and pasting them in places you regularly frequent, you make them more real in your mind.

I read an article in this month's Shape magazine that inspired me. The author mentioned that before Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of the bestselling book & Oprah Pick Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy (Warner Books, 1995) became a bestselling author, she pasted her name on the #1 spot of the New York Times bestseller list and posted it on her computer. Visual Aids like these give you that extra ammunition that will make a difference.

5. Make Goal Setting a Routine

Begin every morning with a "To Do" list. This will help you organize and better manage your time. Plus, your goals will be right smack under your nose every day. Do not get discouraged over any unfinished items. Simply transfer them to the next morning's list.

The above said, keep your goals front and forward in your mind. Remember...you only get one chance to live your dreams!

In the words of Cecil B. De Mille: "The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication."

About The Author

Jennifer Minar is a freelance writer in the health & fitness and writing markets. She is also the founder & managing editor of Writer's Break (http://www.writersbreak.com), a web site and ezine for fiction and creative non-fiction writers.

jminar@writersbreak.com

---

Is Personal Goal Setting REALLY Necessary?

What is your reason for setting a goal?This is the... Read More

Obtaining Your Desires

For one to achieve their goals or obtain their desires,... Read More

When Life Takes A Detour ? 4 Signposts That Will Guide You Back On Track

It happens a lot 'round about now. One by one... Read More

Actual Achievement Part 1

Sport is an excellent medium in which to explore the... Read More

The Power of Why: Setting Intention-Oriented Goals

Everyone ? particularly business coaches like me - talks about... Read More

Clarity and Self Improvement ? Why We Must Know What We Want

One of the biggest reasons that many people have trouble... Read More

If Wishes Were Horses Then Beggars Would Ride!

And if Bull frogs had wings they wouldn't bump their... Read More

Blogging Your Way to Goal Success

If you have always been procrastinating on how to get... Read More

Goal Setting - Get Exactly What You Want!

I am writing you from the quaint sea town of... Read More

Your Life Is A Do-It-Yourself Project!

The responsibility of working hard, planning and living a successful... Read More

Seven Steps To Planning A Successful Future

Being successful in life is difficult unless you ensure you... Read More

How Being Intentional Makes You Happy

"Inspiration does not beget action. Action begets inspiration." - Chinese... Read More

7 Questions To Tap Into The Limitless Power Of Your Subconscious Mind

When you map out what you want, you let go... Read More

Achieving Success Through Effective Goal Setting

It is important to have goals because they are good... Read More

Do You Really Value What You Wish For?

I am sitting in a shopping mall, waiting for my... Read More

Mind Over Matter -- The Power of Thoughts

One of the greatest challenges in life is understanding just... Read More

Stop Scoring Own Goals

Own goals are actions, things we do, that stop us... Read More

Re-invent Yourself : 7 Steps to Becoming a New You!

Do you like your life the way it is? Would... Read More

Not Satisfied With Where You Are; STOP - Change The Action Change The Outcome

"If you keep on doing what you have always done,... Read More

How Clear is Your Vision?

Wouldn't it be nice to know that there is a... Read More

Four Steps to Goal Setting

When setting goals it is important to know if the... Read More

Cheerleaders

This week's article assumes that you have chosen a goal,... Read More

How To Rise Above The Clutter In Your Brain

Ever notice when you start a new hobby or fall... Read More

Get It Done-Or 3 Ways to Advance Your Goals

1. WORK WITH THE END IN MIND- OR FOCUS ON... Read More

Getting ready for a transition? Read the Fine Print of Your Dream

"In the factory we make lipstick; in the drugstore we... Read More

Start Working on Your Goals Today!

The alarm goes off at 6am, you roll out of... Read More

Focal Point Of Success

Fortune will flow into your hands like a river flow... Read More

Celebrate Achieving Smaller Goals Along The Way

I wanted to learn to swim. So I set my... Read More

Vocalized Goals + Action = Realized Dreams

Do you have a dream? Is there something you want... Read More

Put Wings On Your Dreams

We Need DreamsDreams are important. Not the dreams you have... Read More

The Power of the Negative

The vast majority of us learn very early on that... Read More

Achieving Your Goals by Using One Word

One of my favorite techniques for achieving goals is to... Read More

Goal Believing is the First Step to Goal Achieving

We've just gone from "the Holiday Season" to the "Goal... Read More