Top 10 Tools to Reach Your Goals Quickly

We all have dreams and goals. Some of them are simply "wishes", like winning the lottery or sailing to Tahiti. But we also have goals that are vital to our futures and the well-being of our families. And yet many of us make little or no progress toward achieving our most important goals. We wait and hope, but get no closer to our dreams. It doesn't have to be that way! We all know people who soar from one project to another, achieving their goals and living the life they want. How do they do it?

1. Clarity of purpose. For a dream to become a goal, it must be specific. While it's fun to dream about being rich, it takes courage and hard choices to decide exactly how much money you want and how you are going to earn it. Being "thin" is an image; losing 23 pounds by your birthday is a goal. In life, we probably can't have it all. You can lose 23 pounds, or you can have the cake and ice cream. Your choice. Be clear.

2. Commitment. There's a story from ancient Greece about a general who landed his troops on the beach, then burned his ships. He wanted each soldier to know there was no turning back, no retreat, no alternative to victory. Once your goal is clear, emotionally commit to achieving it. There are no alternatives.

3. Talk about it. This is called "accountability". Once you've defined your goal and committed yourself to achieve it, start talking about it! If you want to lose weight, don't blame your spouse for buying ice cream if they don't know and understand your goal! Talking about your goals makes them emotionally real and powerful. It allows people to help you reach your goal and support you along the way. Some people will also criticize or undermine you. Don't talk to them.

4. Write it down. This is basic, and one of the oldest, simplest and most powerful techniques for achieving any goal. Write it down! Describe precisely what you want, how you will earn it, when you will have it, and the benefits you'll receive from achieving your goal. Write the details. Write the colors, the shapes and the dates.

5. Write it every day! Every morning, use a small card or a corner of your appointment book to record a short description of your goal where you will see it all day long. Don't carry the same card day after day! If your goal is worth anything, it's worth a minute of your time to write a simple sentence describing your dream and focusing on your priorities. Do this every morning.

6. Have a plan. Create a map for getting there. And put dates on it! A goal to retire at age 40 has no meaning without a savings and investment strategy. A goal to create your own business is just a fantasy without a plan to attract investors, find a location, hire staff and sell your goods or services. The beauty of a plan is that it allows you to?

7. Take action every day! "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Any goal that is worthy of you, is worth a few minutes of your time and some of your energy every single day. To one day write a novel, write a chapter this week. To open your own business, read a business magazine today. To create a more loving family, give someone a hug today. To be salesperson of the year, make a phone call right now!

8. Use constant affirmations. One of my clients is a PGA golfer. From the moment his ball lands on the green until he sinks the putt, he repeats over and over "I will make this putt!" He repeats that phrase as many 200 times before every putt! Do you think he would be more, or less, successful if he spent those moments thinking, "I just hope I don't miss it."? Tell yourself what you want to hear!

9. Review, and re-commit, often. Never be afraid to review your goals, evaluate whether you are still 100% committed to them, and re-commit to achieving them. If your values, or your choices have changed, change your goals accordingly, and be honest about it! And if your goal still fits, run to it with all your heart!

10. Celebrate each milestone! Never wait to have a party! Each deposit in your savings account deserves a checkmark on the calendar and a hug from your partner. Each day without a cigarette deserves a smile and congratulations from your loved ones. Every step toward your goal should be documented and celebrated! When you get discouraged or have doubts, your record of past successes will quickly get you back on track. Not sure about this? Ask any marathon runner whether they count each mile on their run to the finish line! Celebrate each and every milepost on your path to victory!

? Copyright 2003 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved. This article may be copied and used in your own newsletter or on your website as long as you include the following information: "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com

---

Vocalized Goals + Action = Realized Dreams

Do you have a dream? Is there something you want to do, to achieve, or to complete?How close are you? How many people have you told about it? Do you have a written... Read More

Excellence is Never an Accident

"Excellence is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities."The above anonymous quote was displayed prominently... Read More

Get a Clear Mental Picture of the Goal Already Accomplished

"A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive and if you are willing to... Read More

The Value of Focus in Reaching Your Goals

"One aught never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly... Read More

One Stroke at a Time

"One stroke at a time." In an interview, Tiger Woods shared this simple formula for success. He further revealed that his habit to focus on the task at hand and not the previous... Read More

Achieving Goals: The Remaining 90% - Sheer Persistence

Achieving goals requires persistence. Here's the proof: In 1915 Ty Cobb set up an amazing baseball record of stealing 96 bases. Seven years later Max Carey set the second-best record with 51 stolen... Read More

Go For Success! Creating Business and Personal Goals that Inspire and Motivate

Are you feeling motivated to set some strong goals for this year? Write down those New Year's resolutions and get going, right? Most people write down lofty resolutions that they think they should... Read More

Top 15 Goals Quotations

Examine your own personal goals and find methods to achieve your desires with these valuable quotations about setting goals..."The most important thing about having goals is having one."-- Geoffrey F. Abert"It takes a... 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

How To Rise Above The Clutter In Your Brain

Ever notice when you start a new hobby or fall in love with a new shrub or flower you start to see it everywhere? This isn't necessarily because everyone else has the same... Read More

Top Ten Ways to Achieve Your Goals

1) Write them down! Statistics show people who write down their goals have over an 80% higher success rate of achieving them. Start a Goals journal. Make sure they are SMART goals- specific,... Read More

Six Keys To Build Vision - Point Six

6.Recognise that all vision has seasonal components within it? Vision takes on many forms and expressions.I have watched four of my children grow from being dependent upon my support and advice, to now... Read More

If You Dont Know Where Youre Going, Any Road Will Get You There

What do you want to achieve?Before you actually set up, decide what you want to achieve with your business. If you are already in business, review where you are going ? are you... Read More

Productive Goal Setting

There's been a lot written about goal setting and there are many different approaches and methods ? in fact, it's easy to get caught up in the confusion about how to set goals... Read More

Vision Means Passion - Whats Yours?

Interestingly, the word vision can be interchangeable with the word passion.But small business owners often forget to promote the true reason for being in business. They've lost touch with their passionate vision.Passion is... Read More

Creativity Management ? Short Term Goal Setting

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be... Read More

A Winner Never Uses Chance or Luck to Win

In games of chance, what separates a player from a winner and are they mutually exclusive?It takes some skill to be a good poker player. Certainly one needs to know the number of... Read More

Breaking Goals Down To The Basics

One of the primary reasons why people fail to execute their goals is they set forth unrealistic or overly complex goals. Most of us have the tendency to look at the finish line... Read More

A Fundraising Road Trip: Planning & Achieving Your Goals

Do you ever daydream about going on a great vacation? It's fun to think of all of the great sights and things to do once you get to the destination. But usually there's... 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

Settling For More

You have enormous promise! Why compromise?I once heard one self-professed motivational expert say, "When you set your goals, aim for the moon. Aim high. Even if you fall short, you will have reached... Read More

Achieving Success Through Effective Goal Setting

It is important to have goals because they are good for your physical and mental health. You can have goals for all areas of your life. Here are a few ideas: Career, Learning,... Read More

A Simple Solution For Accomplishing Any Goal

Have you ever had someone ask you to do some thing and then later forget about what they told you to do?One night, my wife and I had some friends from out of... Read More

How To Achieve Your Goals

The first step, of course, is to set them. You can't get anywhere if you're not heading in that direction. Intention is essential.The second step is to achieve them. Many people do get... Read More

How To Score Your Own Goals With Sarah

Do you know where your company is going? Do you have a vision of where you want to be?Often in an attempt to get company staff to have a shared view of where... Read More

Focus on Your Goals

Focus is the single most important factor that will determine whether your dreams come true or not. Depending on what your dreams are, there are so many rivers to cross. Some hurdles look... Read More

Whats Perfect About Imperfection?

Let me try something new but please, please, please, let me do it right and well the first time. If we always do things well, always do things right, and people know us... Read More

Idiots Guide to Goal Setting: 5 Steps to Success

Weve all read about personal goal setting. Weve all tried it. According to the stats, most of the time we all fail.I often used to slap hand to forehead and mutter through clinched... Read More

Perseverance: When You Master this Tool, Your Goal Setting Success will Soar

"Life is not easy for any of us. We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be... Read More