2003... Got Goals?

Ask anybody on January 2nd 2003 if they have New Years Resolutions or goals and nine out of ten will say, "Yes!" ...Ask the same people about their resolutions three months later and they'll look at you like a small goat discovering a new fence for the first time.

All good intentions aside, exhaustive studies have shown only 3% of the population engage in some form of goal-setting and only 1% on average, write them down.

It should be noted that there is no small coincidence in the 1% that write goals down and the highest achieving, highest income-earning men and women around the world.

Setting goals is the genesis from which things great and not so great are accomplished. Read any book on achievement or watch the Biography Channel and see the quintessential message is clear: Goals = Success!

If it's that simple though, why is it then, are most people so unsuccessful in the fundamentals of Real goal-setting?

One legitimate answer may be our generation is busier than any generation in the past. Life today is not static and our preoccupation with just trying to 'get by' runs juxtaposed to the activities needed for maintaining concentrated goal achievement. Fair enough.

On the other hand, these same studies I mentioned are just as clear on the real reason most people - the ones who bother to set goals - will never achieve them. They don't write them down relying rather they be left to our memories to manage.

In my soon to be released Thought Book, I wrote: Your goals are future landmarks on paths created by You.

Goal experts, however, will be quick to point out, "Unwritten goals are nothing more than Wishes"... and we know the world is full of people with plenty of wishes. Go to any lottery office or anywhere they sell things like DotCom Stock. In one place they wish they'd bought more, in the other they wish they hadn't bought any at all!

Real goal-achievement has so nothing to do with merely wishing or thinking of what we'd like to accomplish and everything to do with Not Forgetting.

As the young man once said, "My memory is the thing I use to forget with". If we buy-off on the precept, we are now the busiest, most preoccupied generation, it's no stretch then to believe the experts when they say, "Goals left only to memory are destined to fade like so many wishes".

*********************************************************************************

Before we look for the remedy to the goal-achievement challenge, it's important we understand the fundamental psychology of goal setting. That is to say, how it works.

Psychological studies on the highest achieving men and women demonstrate, people with clear, specific goals, immediately and by default, become psychologically Goal Oriented individuals. [No mystery there].

Since goals take place in the future, those with goals also by default become psychologically, motivationally, Future Oriented individuals.

Finally, since we can agree we go to the trouble of having goals because we want to achieve them, another automatic psychological outcome is we immutably become psychologically, motivationally, human-behaviorally, actively, Success Oriented individuals.

[To put that into perspective, we can all think of people we know who are naturally, Failure Oriented individuals].

These hallmarks are known as the Three Unique Psychological Success Orientations - the stuff that governs everything we do in the present, the moment, the now, as we go about our lives putting people, places and things together to affect positive outcomes in the future as it relates to our goals.

That is, however, if we don't forget them!

The good news is, the simple act of reviewing our goals and activities on a daily basis, serves, in and of itself, to ensure we don't forget them - thereby keeping them fresh, clear, specific and at the front of our mind.

As mentioned and psychological studies show, unforgotten goals quite naturally engender Unique Psychological Success Orientations that by default, impact in a positive way, our thoughts and activities as we go through our lives focused undauntedly in the moment on things we wish to accomplish.

The Bottom Line:

Those without goals, more often than not, find themselves directionless relying mostly on things like luck. Goal-Setting is only the first step. Constant Goal-Review is the activity that ensures Goal-Achievement and Success!

About The Author

Paul Shearstone aka The 'Pragmatic Persuasionist' is one of North America's foremost experts on Sales and Persuasion.

An International Keynote Speaker, Author, Writer, Motivation, Corporate Ethics, Time & Stress Management Specialist,

Paul enlightens and challenges audiences as he informs, motivates and entertains.

To comment on this article or to book the Pragmatic Persuasionist for your next successful event we invite to contact Paul Shearstone directly @ 416-728-5556 or 1-866-855-4590

www.success150.com / www.paulshearstone.com or paul@success150.com.

---

Creativity Management ? Short Term Goal Setting

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

If I Won the Lottery, I Wouldnt Have to Job Search!

IF I WON THE LOTTERY, IWOULDN'T NEED TO JOB SEARCH!Let's... Read More

Maximizing The Time of Your Life

Setting goalsSetting personal and business goals are a must if... Read More

How To Achieve Any Goal, NOW!

1. Write down one goal that you want to achieve.... Read More

Action Achieves Goals - Talk Is Cheap

It is very easy and a lot of fun to... Read More

Settling For More

You have enormous promise! Why compromise?I once heard one self-professed... Read More

Achieving Goals: The Remaining 90% - Sheer Persistence

Achieving goals requires persistence. Here's the proof: In 1915 Ty... Read More

Forming Effective Habits Leads To Success

You had your new years resolution all set. You knew... Read More

Applying Action To Your Inner Desires!

"I know what I need to do, but I'm scared... Read More

Elephants Are Really Big, Arent They?

In fact, this very type font I am using is... Read More

Mission Statements Improve Goal Setting and Decision Making

A Mission Statement consists of a short phrase or a... Read More

Improve Your Self Confidence

Knowing yourself is the foundation of self-esteem, self confidence and... Read More

Priorities

Last month's edition of Footprints and Monuments was about living... Read More

The Power of the Negative

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

Whats the Next Action Step?

Nothing gets done unless an action is completed. Everything we... Read More

If You Cant See Your Way to Completing Your Goal, Its Time to Check Your Vision

Have you been having trouble achieving a specific goal? Are... Read More

Goal Believing is the First Step to Goal Achieving

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

The Importance Of Having A Goal In Life

At the age of twenty two, I read a book... Read More

Goals Can Take Years To Achieve

Should goals take a long time?Yes and No.Yes, goals should... Read More

Driving To Your Goals

Every time you get in your car to go anywhere,... Read More

Weave Your Own Web

Many elementary school children know the miracle of Charlotte's Web.... Read More

The Most Powerful Knowledge Available To Man

In this article you will learn the most powerful knowledge... Read More

Planning Ahead Of Everyone Else To Win

What does it take to plan like a champion?Well lets... Read More

It Takes A Lot Of A Little To See The Good Times Roll

Have you ever wondered why some people are just naturally... Read More

Setting Achievable Goals For Success

In order to achieve something, the first thing you should... Read More

Focus On Your Goals Without Envying Others

Many of us waste too much time envying others instead... Read More

To Reach Goals: Bypass Resistance & Gather Assistance

To reach goals, consider this illustration: If you see roadblocks... Read More

Creating Your Vision for Your Business, Career, and Life

Many people go through their daily lives feeling overwhelmed. There... Read More

Mountain Climbing Over Molehills

Someone has said that the greatest cause of ulcers is... Read More

Focus = Clarity

Photographs are clearer when they are in focus. When they... Read More

Is it Focus or Tunnel Vision?

To achieve success you must narrow your vision on your... Read More

Six Keys To Build Vision - Point Five

5.Submit it to good leaders (accountability breeds stability and security)·... Read More