The Importance of Goal Setting

In the following article, Mary explains one of the key
concepts to help you achieve your desires...

Are You Sabotaging Your Life?

I just returned from a whirlwind trip to NYC. I was
accompanying my husband, Phil, to a Saturday morning
breakfast meeting. He's Working on an exciting project
which requires raising money to bring a new motorcycle to
the global market.

Yes, it is exciting to be sure! BUT, as someone who easily
supports and gets excited for someone else's' project, I
had to ask myself: What things are on my to do list, what
goals have I set for myself this year? And how am i
impeding my own progress toward those goals? Well, I can
tell you from first hand experience that grabbing onto and
supporting "other's " goals too tightly can sabotage your
own progress.........

I admit it, I'm someone who ignores my own goals in suport
of others. I tend to think more about someone else's
success than my own. STOP IT! I think to myself but it
really takes quite an effort on my part.

Lately I have been very preoccupied with how successful
people set and achieve their goals. If I'm not careful,
others can waylay my goals and my focus for achieving
things important to me. There are unlimited, and sometimes
subtle, distractions which can sabotage my desire to
achieve "x".

So I pulled out the list that I make annually and started
reviewing and refining it upon my return from NYC and all
the exciting happenings for Phil.

I know goal setting is a universal process, but everyone
seems to approach it differently. Here is my own process
for streamlining the goal-setting process.

1. Write it down! I'm always tempted to keep my goals a
secret - even from myself. Writing down my goals is an
annual must for me. It serves to keep me honest and the
fact is, you're more likely to achieve your goals if you
write them down!

2. Divide your goals into categories - I use PERSONAL,
BUSINESS, AND SELF DEVELOPMENT - I like using this 3-column
approach because I can clearly see and prioritize the
different areas of my life.

3. Examine why each goal is important to accomplish. I ask
myself questions like; "How will my life be different when
I accomplish 'x'?" or, "Is this a goal that is inner
directed or outer directed?"; "Am I willing to sacrifice
the time, money and other things necessary to accomplish
this goal?" Remember, goals are only as good as their
importance to their owner, ME. If your response is
lukewarm maybe it shouldn't be taking up space on your
"goal list"

4. Know what you want and don't want in your life, before
adopting a goal. This amounts to being self-aware, being
tuned in to my values. I ask myself " Is this a goal which
supports who I am and my overall vision for my life?" For
example, if you value "fun" in life, you may have a
qualifier that your goal must have an element of "fun"
built in. Maybe as a reward, even! When goals are connected
with who you are in life, you are more likely to achieve
them.

5. Know your supporters and detractors. This is HUGE. I
find that if I spend time with people who are not
supportive, or who don't have goals for themselves, it
brings me down and blows me off course.

6. Share your goals with someone. Talking about your goals
brings more ideas and support for them to the forefront.
Try not to keep goals and aspirations a secret - own them
and be proud of them. Stick up for your life and move
toward things that are important.

And so as I return from NYC and all the excitement
revolving around my husband's project, I'm reminded not to
become distracted with another's goal. I've got my annual
goal list in front of me and I'm reviewing and revising the
goals I have for myself. I hope you will too because there
will never be an optimum time for taking action on things
important to you. Now is all you've got. So begin your list
today!

I hope this inspires you to take some action
today..................

About the Author:

Mary Logan provides professional coaching services for
individuals on goal setting and values based living. You
can find out more about her "Live Life Now" Coaching
Program
http://spectrumsolutionscoac.homestead.com/Grablife.html