Consultants and motivational speakers have talked about the
importance of written goals at least since Benjamin
Franklin. The 19th century Psychologist and philosopher,
William James, talked about clear goals, and Napoleon Hill
wrote about them in "Think And Grow Rich" in the 1930's. Of
course you should choose clear personal goals, write them
down, and stay the course!
And that's the rub. The daily grind of "staying the
course."
We all have goals of some sort. Some are written, some are
vague, some are almost dream-like, but we all have things
we long for. The rub is in making them happen.
Almost everyone I talk with--large audiences where I'm the
keynote speaker, small corporate trainings, and individual
clients--they all complain about distractions. They talk
about interruptions and daily frustrations. They talk about
how busy they are and how little time they have.
And yet winners find the "secret" of doing first things
first.
The winners in life have exactly the same amount of time
and the same resources everyone else has. They work hard
(like everyone else) and yet there is a huge difference in
their RESULTS. In the end, winners come out on top because
they have a SYSTEM for choosing their top priorities and
sticking to them.
Here are a couple of practical suggestions, starting with
the most fundamental truth I know: You must decide what you
want in life. Life is full of options, and demands we take
responsibility to clarify our choices and pursue our
dreams. No one can do that for you. This is first. Decide
what you really want in life!
Most people don't think carefully about their most
important goals. They have goals that are vague or have
never been discussed and coordinated with family members.
Be clear. Talk it over with the people in your life and
focus on what you truly want.
But then, here are my suggestions for making specific daily
progress:
1. REVIEW your goals frequently. Brian Tracy and Napoleon
Hill recommended reading them every single day. I spend
time doing a thoughtful review of my own goals at least
once a month, and briefly re-write them every morning. If
you aren't making progress on your goals, the first step is
to review and commit to them more often.
2. Work with a TEAM. Talk with your family. Review your
priorities with your boss. Get together with a master-mind
group every week. Talk about your goals with people who
will support you and who have the resources to help you
succeed!
3. PLAN for tomorrow at the end of the day or before bed,
so your mind can prepare for the new day while you sleep.
What has to be done tomorrow? What problems will come up
and how will you deal with them? What is your one major
target for tomorrow? Decide the night before.
4. Each MORNING, confirm your daily targets. I write my
three most important tasks on a 3x5 card each morning. I do
it with my morning coffee. It helps.
For most of us, the key to daily action is a SYSTEM that
keeps us focused and brings us back to our most important
goals. On our own, we are too easily distracted. We lose
focus and waste time. Instead, use a SYSTEM that gets you
back on course, like an auto-pilot. Then, trust the system
and get to work!
importance of written goals at least since Benjamin
Franklin. The 19th century Psychologist and philosopher,
William James, talked about clear goals, and Napoleon Hill
wrote about them in "Think And Grow Rich" in the 1930's. Of
course you should choose clear personal goals, write them
down, and stay the course!
And that's the rub. The daily grind of "staying the
course."
We all have goals of some sort. Some are written, some are
vague, some are almost dream-like, but we all have things
we long for. The rub is in making them happen.
Almost everyone I talk with--large audiences where I'm the
keynote speaker, small corporate trainings, and individual
clients--they all complain about distractions. They talk
about interruptions and daily frustrations. They talk about
how busy they are and how little time they have.
And yet winners find the "secret" of doing first things
first.
The winners in life have exactly the same amount of time
and the same resources everyone else has. They work hard
(like everyone else) and yet there is a huge difference in
their RESULTS. In the end, winners come out on top because
they have a SYSTEM for choosing their top priorities and
sticking to them.
Here are a couple of practical suggestions, starting with
the most fundamental truth I know: You must decide what you
want in life. Life is full of options, and demands we take
responsibility to clarify our choices and pursue our
dreams. No one can do that for you. This is first. Decide
what you really want in life!
Most people don't think carefully about their most
important goals. They have goals that are vague or have
never been discussed and coordinated with family members.
Be clear. Talk it over with the people in your life and
focus on what you truly want.
But then, here are my suggestions for making specific daily
progress:
1. REVIEW your goals frequently. Brian Tracy and Napoleon
Hill recommended reading them every single day. I spend
time doing a thoughtful review of my own goals at least
once a month, and briefly re-write them every morning. If
you aren't making progress on your goals, the first step is
to review and commit to them more often.
2. Work with a TEAM. Talk with your family. Review your
priorities with your boss. Get together with a master-mind
group every week. Talk about your goals with people who
will support you and who have the resources to help you
succeed!
3. PLAN for tomorrow at the end of the day or before bed,
so your mind can prepare for the new day while you sleep.
What has to be done tomorrow? What problems will come up
and how will you deal with them? What is your one major
target for tomorrow? Decide the night before.
4. Each MORNING, confirm your daily targets. I write my
three most important tasks on a 3x5 card each morning. I do
it with my morning coffee. It helps.
For most of us, the key to daily action is a SYSTEM that
keeps us focused and brings us back to our most important
goals. On our own, we are too easily distracted. We lose
focus and waste time. Instead, use a SYSTEM that gets you
back on course, like an auto-pilot. Then, trust the system
and get to work!
No comments:
Post a Comment