Go Beyond Goals And Achieve Your Dream!

As important as goal setting is, goals alone do not ensure that you will achieve the success you desire. A written goal is not some kind of magic talisman whereby whatever you set your heart on manifests in your life out of thin air. That being the case, what is it that makes the difference between a person who achieves their goals and a person who doesn't? The answer can be summarised in a single word: lifestyle. The only difference between those who achieve their goals and those who don't is the way they live each day. Destiny does not determine your lifestyle. Your lifestyle determines your destiny!

The vast majority of people who aspire to success in life aspire to a particular kind of result. They see successful people on TV, at the movies or in their neighbourhoods and they think, "I want that." They look at the wealth, the fame, the physique, the career success, the fulfilling relationships and all the other "results" of success, but they don't look at the kind of lifestyle which led to that success. If they did, they would realise that these successful results can all be had, but not apart from the successful lifestyle which precedes them.

Get this point clear in your mind right now:

You can have any kind of success you desire if you are willing to adopt the kind of lifestyle which precedes that success.

I meet many people who, on discovering that I am a writer as well as a life coach, tell me that they too have always wanted to write. "I have a great idea for a book," they say. "And I'd love to have my name in print... and receive those royalty cheques. It must be absolutely wonderful!"

If you put my life in those terms, then I have to agree. It would be absolutely wonderful to spend my life getting ideas, having my name put in print and collecting royalty cheques.

Unfortunately for the dreamers, there is a lifestyle which precedes all of those results. For example, at five o'clock this morning when everyone else was cosily tucked up in bed, I was in the shower. At five fifteen I was eating a bowl of breakfast cereal. And at five thirty I was sitting at my desk, putting words on paper. And because I have clients to coach today (and most days) I'll be here for a while yet.

I don't want this to sound as though I dislike my work. The fact is that I love writing and coaching. I actually enjoy getting out of bed early in the morning and spending almost all of my day helping people to achieve their dreams. The point I am trying to make is that if you want success as a writer, you have to live the lifestyle of a writer. That means writing, day in and day out.

The same applies to any other form of success. If you want to achieve the goal of being fit and healthy, you need to adopt the kind of lifestyle which places importance on regular exercise and eating habits. If you want to achieve the goal of having strong family relationships, you need to adopt the kind of lifestyle which places importance on regular family gatherings and good communication skills.

Once again, let me put it this way:

Destiny does not determine your lifestyle.

Your lifestyle determines your destiny.

Now compare this strategy with the ones contained in the vast majority of self-help titles and you will find their fatal flaw: Most self-help systems claim that the lifestyle is the goal, the end result of having achieved success. Wrong! The adoption of a properly planned lifestyle is the route to achieving success in the first place. If you still need convincing then consider this: How do you think most currently mega-successful people lived before they achieved the success they now enjoy?

Did Bruce Willis spend five hours every evening watching soap operas or the latest action movies on video? Was Anthony Robbins a regular at his local bar, content to happily watch the evenings pass by with just a few drinking pals and beers close by to keep him awake? Did Meg Ryan spend all day watching daytime television and eating cheese puffs? Was Nicole Kidman content to work in a dead-end job for little money? Did Stephen King spend every spare afternoon at the race track or bumming around with a group of loser friends?

Of course, the answer to all of these questions is no. But aren't these exactly the kind of things that unsuccessful people do all the time? And aren't these the kind of things that unsuccessful people actually defend when challenged about their lifestyles? Yes!

And that's the only real difference between the people who achieve their goals and those that don't - the things that they do day after day, week after week and month after month.

I realise that all of this sounds incredibly simple, but the fact is that personal success is simple. It may not be easy, but it certainly isn't complicated.

About The Author

Ian Bruce, aka The Rational Coach, helps people from all over the globe to improve their lives and achieve their goals both elegantly and swiftly. Visit him today at www.rational-coaching.com

rationalcoaching@aol.com

---

Be Selfish With Your Goals

All too often good-intentioned people set forth goals designed to satiate others rather than themselves. While the intent is honorable, the results will likely lead to failure. Why? As the somewhat provocative title... Read More

Make Goals Specific

Saying that you want to be rich isn't enough. However, when you say: "I want $12,000 two years from now", you have a specific target that you can break down into manageable goals.You... Read More

The Top 10 Steps to Set and Achieve Your Goals - Every Time!

It's been said that everyone has goals, whether we know it or not. We have goals to keep our current job, or to get a different one. We have goals to save for... Read More

Is Personal Goal Setting REALLY Necessary?

What is your reason for setting a goal?This is the first, and important question you need to ask yourself. Why? If your reason for setting your goal is not sincere, your motivation and... Read More

Goal Setting - My Disappointing Discovery

Goal setting has become almost an industry in itself with countless books and techniques available online and in published form promising to help you achieve your most cherished desires. I have read many... Read More

Forming Effective Habits Leads To Success

You had your new years resolution all set. You knew exactly what you needed to do, maybe you even got off to a fantastic start. Then suddenly out of nowhere you realize that... Read More

Does Your Goal Enhance Your Overall Quality of Life?

So many people struggle with the issue of time management."There's so much to do!" "It takes so long!" "So many little things!"What many of these people don't realize is that they are spending... Read More

Applying Action To Your Inner Desires!

"I know what I need to do, but I'm scared that I won't succeed." Who among us hasn't been stuck in this scenario before? We know what to do, but we don't put... Read More

Goals ? The Forgotten Success Element

Goals are extremely important and are the key to any success plan. However, we hear about goals so much that we often take this step for granted. We assume that we already know... Read More

How To Create Your Very Own DREAMWALL!

A great way of attuning yourself daily to what your deepest dreams and wants are is to create yourself a DREAM WALL.Use books and magazines or search online for images of the things... Read More

The Twin Actions of Accomplishment

When it comes to achieving accomplishments there are two foundational actions that must take place. When these two actions take place, and take place in the right order, you will become unstoppable. You... Read More

Ten of My Favorite Quotes About Goals

1. Duke (Edward Kennedy) Ellington (1899-1974) American Composer Bandleader and Pianist"A goal is a dream that has an ending."2. Napoleon Hill"A goal is a dream with a deadline."3. Zig Ziglar"Goals are dreams we... Read More

Achieve Your Goals And Dreams By Using Excel Spreadsheets

Do you think your life is passing you by and you want to get back on track? Do you feel you are stuck in a rut and you don't really know how to... Read More

Everyone Needs a BAG (Big Audacious Goal)

A Big Audacious Goal (BAG) is a clear and compelling catalyst that serves as a focal point for effort. Unlike smaller goals, the BAG is something that is huge. It is challenging and... Read More

The Painless Solution To Procrastination

I have a confession to make. Once upon a time, I had a bad case of procrastination. I could find all sorts of excuses for putting off any activity which I just didn't... Read More

Four Steps to Goal Setting

When setting goals it is important to know if the goal is realistically attainable. Time is precious; you don't want to waste it moving toward a goal that you will never be able... Read More

Thank You

I wonder if anyone really reads long stuff from Ezines except for the juicy and interesting ones but I am one of those few who painstakingly reads almost all articles posted. And now... Read More

Willpower: Who Needs It? Not Me

What is this mysterious creature, this intangible element, this phantom that we seek for so hard, yet can often never find, or keep control of? This thing called 'willpower' and who really needs... Read More

Goal Setting Skills Ensure Success

SO WHAT DOES GOAL SETTING OFFER? It closes the manager-employee gap. Often there are misunderstandings, miscommunication, or even no communication at all between upper management and lower level employees regarding company goals and... Read More

The Importance of Aligning Your Personal Goals With Your Business Goals: Part 3 of a Series

Would you like to be sure that your personal goals are consistent with your business goals? (Yes) (No)You might have certain personal goals that are, or become, divergent to your business goals.For instance,... Read More

Living The Real Life Beyond Goal Setting

In many of his wonderful talks the motivational speaker Zig Ziglar states "you've got to have goals." Have you ever asked yourself why?You are instructed that you need different types of goals. There... Read More

Lifes Values

Over time I have come to realize that the three most important subjects in the world to man are sex, property and religion. By the first we create life, by the second we... Read More

21 Life Changing Questions You Cant Afford to Not Ask!

Imagine finally taking off seven coats you've been wearing on top of each other for years and years. You've forgotten that some people consciously choose to live without seven layers of coats on... Read More

The Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Goals

Human beings are goal-seeking creatures. We are impatient and try, and fall, and try again until we learn to walk. We babble and coo and struggle until we learn to talk. Skinned knees... Read More

Are You Willing To Risk It?

What would your life be like if you kept doing everything the same way? If you stood still for the next 10 or 20 years and didn't make progress with anything? If you... Read More

Goal Objectives: Looking Ahead To Get Ahead With Planning

With goal objectives in mind, consider the organizers of a marathon race. They take time to mark out the course. The way is planned. Otherwise reaching the finish line would be a matter... Read More

Dont Let Go Of Your Dreams

Don't let go of your dreams. If you have determination and belief in your dreams, you will succeed in spite of your desire to let go.One notable person who demonstrated this attitude was... Read More

Climb and Summit Mt. Goals

Are you trying to reach a goal that feels like a large mountain to climb?Climbing a mountain is much easier than one would think. You start at the bottom, you progress towards base... Read More

Goalsetting - How to Easily Set and Get Your Goals

Which of the following changes to your life do you want to make to your life this year?To have a slim and trim body?Find a stimulating jobTake up a sport or hobbyBuy your... Read More