4 Steps to Successful Goal-Setting

Successful people have always had clear, focused goals that guide them to greatness.

It took Thomas Edison thousands of attempts and thousands of failures over many years to invent the electric light bulb, but he new exactly what he wanted, and his goal kept him going until he achieved it The rest, as they say, is history.

Michelle Kwan had a goal to be the best skater in the world. Oprah Winfrey was an abused child who determined to make a better life for herself.

Successful people always have clear goals. Great musicians, great athletes, successful salespeople and inspiring leaders know what they want in life, and they go after it. Great parents work at it. No one becomes an astronaut by accident!

And yet the great bulk of people continue to drift through life with no goals at all, or with only vague dreams, hopes and wishes. No wonder we achieve so much less than we could!

For those who have not yet experienced the joy of setting and achieving magnificent goals, here is a powerful set of principles that have worked for thousands of my clients. They will work for you, too. I call them The 4 Steps to Successful Goal-Setting:

1. Decide what you want. Decide if you would rather have money in the bank, or that new car. Choose the life you prefer! You can't have everything in life; but you can have anything you choose, if you will focus, pay the price, and pursue it with all your heart.

2. Clarify your values. Too often, people choose goals that are inconsistent with their priorities and daily behaviors. Do you value health, or comfort? Is financial independence a priority, or merely a wish? In a clash between your values and your wishes, your values will win every time. Be certain your goals are consistent with your most important values.

3. Write them down! Have the courage to put your intentions on paper, in your own words. Be specific and describe your goals in detail. When will you achieve them? What will success look like? Write down the details and read your goals every day, even take a moment to summarize them every morning. Stay focused.

4. Take ACTION! To run a marathon, you must jog every day. Building a business requires that you make sales, every day. A loving marriage or happy kids require your time, your attention and your love, every day. Your daily actions need not be profound or heroic, but they must be consistent and persistent. Every day!

Success does not "just happen". It is built like a work of art. First, it is imagined, then the skills, tools and materials are gathered, and the artist sets about creating a thing of beauty. It takes time. It requires skill, determination, persistence and faith.

Just as an artist will make preliminary sketches and work out the details in her mind, so your success requires written goals, careful choices, clear commitments and daily persistence. You can do this. Make something magnificent of your life!

About The Author

Copyright © by Philip E. Humbert, PhD. All Rights Reserved

Email: Coach@philiphumbert.com

Website: http://www.philiphumbert.com

Visit Dr Humbert's website for over 250 pages of articles, Top 10 lists, humor, quotes, tips and tools for your success! There's a free book on making (and keeping!) more money, and a FREE motivational newsletter. Check it out at his website!

---

Do You Mind If Someone Screams At You?

A headhunter was on the other end of the phone.... Read More

COACHING: When it?s Beyond Oprah and Dr. Phil

How many more servings of the daytime self-help salad will... Read More

Executive Coaching -The Business Benefits

Executive coaching is an investment for you and your business... Read More

Invest Your Inner Wealth

It started out like any other Wednesday - reports to... Read More

What Dost Thou Speaketh? Hey, Affirm This Way!

Articulating repetitive statements with emotion will inevitably connect you to... Read More

Helping Relationships: Understanding the Helpee

One of the most distressing observations I have made among... Read More

A Beginner To Beginners

You may be just starting, or contemplating, your first online... Read More

How Could Choosing to Not Do It All Enhance Your Impact?

How often have you heard yourself say, "I've got so... Read More

How to Adopt a Losing Attitude

We have all heard the expression, "Where your heart is?,... Read More

Could You and Your Business Benefit from a Business Coach or a Consultant?

The surprising answer is "probably". Most individuals don't realize that... Read More

Avoid the Tendency to Underestimate Your Greatness

As a whole I think there is a sad tendency... Read More

What is Life Coaching?

An recent article in Money Magazine said that "A coach... Read More

Living In The Now

I hope you are sitting down as you read this!... Read More

What You See is What You Get

H. Jackson Brown Jr. once wrote, Your mind can only... Read More

What is the Success Lesson in this Story?

One of my clients gave me permission to tell you... Read More

Life Coaching for Success and Fulfilment

We live in a world of rapid change and uncertainty.... Read More

What I Would Include In A Coaching Book

A coach is an essential figure in providing direction and... Read More

Executive Coaching and Effective Learning

We've all been through training events-workshops, seminars, and courses that... Read More

The Role of Grief Group Facilitators

Technically, there are two types of grief groups. Informational and... Read More

Can Versus Cant

It is my personal opinion that there are two words... Read More

A Murder Mystery Puzzle for You to Solve

Anybody who has visited my website at Motivation & Self... Read More

Do You Make These Common Mistakes When Talking to People?

Many moons ago. Talking to people was something I avoided... Read More

How to Optimize the Awesome Power of Thoughts and Imagination

Have you encountered a time when you were in a... Read More

That Little Bit Of Extra

The "little bit extra" is a very powerful concept to... Read More

Mentors and Coaches: How to Be a Great Mentee or Learner

When you invest your time in being a mentee you... Read More

A Fresh Look at the Choices We Make

We are frequently held back from making future plans or... Read More

The Self Development Tool Box

Do you have a self-development toolbox? Do you have a... Read More

Not Blind, Just No Vision

Helen Keller once remarked that there was one thing she... Read More

Bringing Forgiveness Down To Earth

What does it mean to forgive?One of the first things... Read More

Floating In Mindfulness: Dealing With Disappointment

Feeling disappointed? It's time to float.The time-honored approach to disappointment... Read More

Help! I Need to Make a Decision!

Many people who come to my office say they have... Read More

Successful Implementation of Company Wide Coaching Programmes

Ten years ago I was fortunate enough to be heavily... Read More

Living On Purpose

The purpose of life is to live a life of... Read More