Goal Setter Blog

Negativity in the air

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 +1000

The fact that we see so many goal-setting programs and self-appointed life coaches springing out everywhere is proof that things are getting tougher for everyone.

So the marketing gurus have sniffed a golden opportunity out there to make a buck out of someone else's misery. The thinking goes like this: 1- find out what people want 2- give it to them. I wonder why nobody has ever thought how to sell peace to the Palestinians. I suppose their market research concluded there was no money in it...

So for the rest of us who are not spin doctors and don't work in marketing we are left wondering why it is such a hard slog to make a living compared to 20 years ago.

Obviously if you were not in the workforce 20 years ago you don't have a clue what I am talking about because you do not have that point of reference.

Competition has intensified. No business is safe from having their market stolen from under their feet by some global predator.

Productivity has increased dramatically. With technological breakthroughs it takes only one person to supervise an entire production line. In yesteryears it may have taken 100 people to produce the same output.

Outsourcing is the key to leverage cheap labour. You can run a whole enterprise from your home office by delegating tasks to Indian contractors who will build your website and run your call centre for a pittance.

Women are not happy to stay at home to raise children. They want to be breadwinners and call the shots. They divorce their partners just like you move to a new house or buy a new car. Those who are fulfilled in motherhood may struggle to bring their dream to pass and still need to enter the workforce just to put a deposit on a house.

The forever-young syndrome inflicts a de-facto bias against those in their fifties. Mature workers find it near impossible to compete because their aged qualifications are deemed irrelevant in an ever changing world. Those in leadership are reluctant to hire someone who is their elder and experience is downgraded. We live in the new age where nothing is to be gained from those who have-been-there-done-that.

People are hesitant to set goals when they doubt whether they are achievable at all. The middle-class is under threat. Rich people flaunt their wealth and do not sponsor worthy causes bar a few. Homelessness creeps in as people can't afford housing of their own and sleep in a car at night.

The scene is set for a breakthrough. Will you make it or will you be swept away?

anonymous commented:
I like the bit about selling peace to the Palestinians (!)

Burning the candle at both ends?

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 +1000

In a world where the motto is doing more with less, a mental breakdown can bring your productivity to naught.

If you want to last the distance you'd better know how to manage your mount. If people of old knew how to care for their horses how much more should we care for our own well-being?

Super-heroes are for the movies. In the real world those who know how to pace themselves are the true achievers. Have you got any clue where you spent your time last week? Yes, it went like a flash - that's precisely the point. Unless you know where you spend your time you will not reach your goals by accident.

Do you have written down goals? Have you had the discipline to move from wishful thinking to deliberate time management? Have you learned to say no to all those interruptions in guise of urgent take-it-or-leave-it propositions? Do you have any idea how to measure if you are clawing back the lost time or falling further behind?

We are all equal insofar as time goes. We each have been given 24 hours each day. 8 of these should be spent sleeping, 8 of these we exchange for money is something called a job. The quality of where you spend the remaining 8 will make all the difference.

If you commute in transport do you ignore your neighbours or dare to engage in conversation with strangers to further your people's skills and have fellowship with folks from different backgrounds? If you take a lunch break do you gulp down a sandwich in front of the computer while surfing the net or do you seek who you could help and relax with?

The best way to enrich your life and regain control of your time is actually to give it away... weird but it works. Look at a mother how she gives of herself to attend to the need of her infant. See how she persistently tries all manners of non verbal communication - obviously the child hasn't learned any language yet... but their time together is precious.

If you go out and seek who you can bring a smile to, you will find that opportunities to reach your goals will come after you as a by-product. There is a law at work here. The stingier you are with your time and your money - even the little you have left will fly away. The more you seek out how to contribute to society (the people you can reach) the more opportunities will open up to you. That is simply because you will stand out a mile and people just seek someone like that.

Joseph Levi commented:
Sounds like a sabbath day of rest...

Suspicious car accidents

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 +1000

Some road disasters are not reported as suicide in the media. This is done on purpose to prevent some unstable person from attempting to copy such a horrible deed.

The chances of surviving a head-on crash have improved with seatbelts and airbags. You might indeed survive as a quadriplegic. Probably not the intended outcome.

Since a suicidal mindset is a deep anger directed at oneself and society some may want to end their life with a bang - literally, by driving on purpose into the oncoming traffic... spare the thought you might be at the receiving end of such despair.

What has that got to do with goal setting? A lot. Setting goals drives you to identify your reason to live. That in itself could prevent suicide.

Isolation and despair are lurking around to devour alive those who are disconnected from society through divorce, chronic unemployment or other turmoil.

The duty of watching over your mate is the essential fabric of society. Just one phone call can put a smile on somebody's face. Little did you know how critical it was to respond to the prompting of making that one call...

Being a good listener is a release for those who are all bottled up inside. They need an output. They need someone to talk it over with. Someone who is neither judgemental nor condescending. Someone to offload their pain.

Why not go the next step. Indeed life isn't a walk in the park - but we are all in the same boat. If I'm down, you're up. In some funny twist of circumstances we might be swapping places one day. Wouldn't it be good if you had developed the skills to help someone else while you had the chance?

You never know what's around the corner. You've heard the expression: "Count your blessings." Indeed you do not appreciate how fortunate you are until the things you took for granted are taken away from you. Those who find themselves in a hole will tell you that they didn't see it coming. Even if they did there was probably little they could have done about it.

Again what has that got to do with goal setting? The fact that whatever may come, hail, rain or shine you have your mind set on your life goal and you have set your face like flint and will not be put to shame.

You choose to see adversity as an opportunity to become stronger not as the pressure to give up.

Arthur Cole commented:
I can see how setting goals will give you a reason to live for the next day...

Join the dots

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +1000

Ever felt the wheels fell off your cart on your road to greatness?

Predestination and free-will are not incompatible in God's economy. We are told we were chosen before the beginning of time to do the work He assigned for each one of us to do.

You are not an accident. You are not a statistic. You are not a casualty of events around you. You have a purpose. You have a role to play. You have a vocation. You have a inner desire which cannot be quenched until you reach your goal in life.

So how do you find your calling? You might think you are in a fog about that but the people who know you will say that there some issues, certain topics that do resonate with you and you are a wealth of knowledge on that subject...

Do not despise the day of small beginnings. Put your shoulder to the wheel and as you labour at your idea you will encounter the next stage.

Life is an obstacle course and sometimes for our own good it is better for us not to know the future.

In the midst of all the adversity God is watching over you with tender loving care. He wants you to reach your destination and there are angels to cheer you on.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Heb 11:6 NIV)

It looks like if you are not already doing it - you have some reading to do. The bible is you daily ration of wisdom. The next stage is to make it alive and relevant for you. That is achieved through worship. As you spend time pondering on what God has done for you there might just be enough intimacy for you to receive a snippet of truth to help you along the way with your goal.

That's what I mean by joining the dots. Apart from your beginning out of the womb and your destination in glory you need enough guidance to make it to the next stage.

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:13-14 NIV)

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2:10 NIV)

The marriage vows

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +1000

In a world where all absolutes have been cast down and where everything is relative depending on how I feel - people are craving for some direction and stability. Women in particular are seeking security and safety. But where can they find it in a relationship where the rule is: "Get out of it what you want and if not just get out of there!" by contrast just glance at the famous text below:

Love is patient,
love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.

It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres. (1 Cor 13:4-7 NIV)

You can actually use it as marriage vows as in the movie A Walk to Remember by replacing "love" or "it" with your own name.

Another form of marriage vows is this one:

Do you (put your name here) take (put his name here)
as your wedded lawful husband
to love,
to honour
and to obey
until death do us part ?

I do.

Do you (put your name here) take (put her name here)
as your wedded lawful wife
to love
to honour
and to cherish
until death do us part ?

I do.

You will notice that the husband cherishes while the wife obeys. This is because men are wired to appreciate respect while the currency for women is unconditional love. (related article)

Husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (Eph 5:28 NIV)

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. (Col 3:18 NIV)

Sounds quite old fashioned and virtually impossible, doesn't it? Strangely enough prior generations didn't question it and by and large managed to make it work - so what's wrong with us? For centuries our common law and value system in our Judeo-Christian tradition has been based on the authority of the bible. In only the last 25 years have we rushed headlong to unbolt and remove all biblical references in our institutions and people start to wonder why we are left with nothing...

If you are thinking of getting married in church check this out!

Are life coaches all what they're cracked-up to be?

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +1000

A good life coach should wear several hats. He must be a financial advisor if addressing your approach to money or lack thereof; he must be an administrator if helping you with your business, finally he must be a pastor, a guru or witch-doctor if addressing your spiritual needs according to your religious preferences.

What about also a motivational speaker to get you off your backside, a gym instructor if you need to shed some kilos and finally somebody of the same sex so that no temptation occurs.

Very unlikely you will find all those skills combined into the same person.

Which begs the question: why would such a gifted person waste his time advising clients one on one at an average hourly rate when such talent could be used in industry?

Wait! There is more: what about date coaching (to groom you to find the perfect partner), health coaching (to indoctrinate you about the latest food fads), counselling (to help you forgive your ex instead of mumbling death threats), and wedding consultant (to plan your next wedding),

In despair you throw your arms up in the air and head for the self-help section of the nearest bookstore.

While I'm at it let me also add career coach such as Resume Digest and trading coach such as Trading Pal.

Do you carry some baggage? Do you have issues? Do you pick you nose when nobody is watching?

I would argue that this poor state of affairs is a reflection of the moral decay in our society. Good role models are far and few so we run after Mr Fix It to seek solace.

But the problem is much deeper. It has to do with past experience and lack of opportunities. People would like to hang on to what worked well for them and keep doing it again. When the good old days have been replaced by the pain of today you can be forgiven for living in denial. It doesn't make the problem go away though.

With a consumer mindset we can easily believe that someone out there has the answer - just the ticket for you. The generation of the 1920's did not see the Great Depression coming (how could they?). It lasted for ten years and finished with WWII when everybody was commandeered into action.

If the economy is going to bounce back we have nothing to fear - just hang in there, share the same one bedroom flat with another 10 people, live on the dole, go to the public library.

What if instead we are descending into the eye of a world-wide storm? Will you be the last one to acknowledge it? Will there be a charismatic figure appearing to save the day? What about getting yourself right with God and see what He has to say to you? Check out Witness 4 Christ

Still trying to fix someone else's problem?

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +1100

Can you help yourself from giving free advice? Can you let your children make their own mistakes? Do you interfere with other people's plans?

It would appear being Mr Fix It is typically a male problem. But out there people want empathy - not solutions. People deep down really do know what to do about their issues. Before they jump in they would like an unbiased opinion. Being forthright with a fix fails the impartiality test.

I once had a friend who complained about his business loosing market share. His professional clients disappeared one by one and he was left with an ageing clientele who built up over time by word of mouth. This man claims he never advertised in his life. I offered numerous opportunities to him - none of which he ever followed up. We are still good friends but I have given up trying to help him. He sees himself squeezed out of his market niche through competition and increased regulation. He can't afford to take on an apprentice to take on larger jobs which can also be more risky. In fact he also works as an offsider for another professional who invested in specialised expensive equipment. His formula is of course to make things last as they are as long as possible.

I have a daughter who has the opportunity to launch into business for herself after 3 years of training in her industry. My interest is to see her reach financial independence by selling her own merchandise in trade fairs and on the internet. Alas she doesn't seem to have the marketing drive even though she has a good grasp of her industry and could release unique products no one else could copy. As a father you have to learn to let go and not try to re-create yourself in your children. I had my own chance at making a go of my life. My children's life belongs to them.

If you tell people what to do - they will fight it - even though it may be the right thing to do. During my sales training I learned how to close a sale. You repeatedly come back with a minor question. Answering that question implies you have already mentally bought my product.

Likewise in relation to friends and family members it is better to let them come to your point of view by their own devices, in their own time while refraining from uttering the proverbial "I told you so!"

Kerrie Wanaburg commented:
It takes courage and love to give the space and time to people to solve their issues their own way. But in the end that's the only way they will take ownership of their destiny. If we have to learn this as parents maybe there is a reflection on how to replicate that into our society at large - that's if we have any society left...

What do you want to be remembered for?

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +1100

We all have a chance to achieve something worthwhile in our own area of expertise while we pass through this earth. We can grab it with both hands or let it slip by...

What is the one thing where you want to leave your positive mark in society? What are you passionate about?

What do you want to pass on to the next generation? When people mention your name - what would you like them to think about?

Have you noticed how the more worthwhile a goal appears to you the more obstacles seem to pop-up? It is almost a given that if you believe in something, opposition is sure to show its ugly head.

You have a choice. You can choose the easy slippery way of convenience and not rock the boat or you can get fire in your belly and go for it. Time flies by so quickly. There are scores of people reminiscing about their good ideas but they didn't have the vision or the focus to see it through.

Are there people around you worth your affection? Is it your desire to pass on an inheritance to them? I'm not talking about a lump sum of what's left over after the taxman and the solicitor take their cut as you kick the bucket. I'm talking about something more tangible than that. Are there any values you care enough about to be passed on to the next generation?

Obviously with the onslaught of divorces and broken homes many of us no longer have the luxury to do life with our own offsprings - so in essence for them the next generation is "missing in action".

Do you want to live the rest of your life working for somebody else? What happened to the spirit of free enterprise? Has it ever occurred to you that if you applied your skills in the marketplace you might become financially independent but also be able to provide employment for others?

Being able to pass on a business to the next generation was the pride of men of old. When the industrial age was taken over by the information age a lot of family businesses were unable to see the change coming. More to the point the 2nd generation didn't have the vision to re-tool the business to fit a changing landscape.

That should not deter you from planning to have your own business. In fact with so many large companies trying to find loopholes in our stringent employment laws many people are rediscovering themselves as successful freelance consultants.

If you are not a professional in any discipline there are two everlasting markets you can explore: food and cleaning. You can be creative and re-badge it with more fancy names but the fact is people need to eat to live and everything around us gets dirty all by itself. Here are two industries which require a minimum of skills and where you can make your mark by providing work for some less fortunate than yourself.

Jo McDonough commented:
Very true, it is a great way to focus on your priorities and think about real purpose in what we do. Thinking about the answers to those questions brings great clarity. Thx Bruno.

Think with your head, feel with your heart

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +1100

Can you use both logic and intuition or are we permanently stuck in one camp?

When should you ruminate long and hard weighing all the options before reaching a decision and when should you trust your gut feeling?

Men are known to operate in the realm of logic while women use their intuition. I guess when you come together in marriage, then you are complete - I suppose that was God's design. Unfortunately in half of marriages people tear each other down instead of building each other up. I trust you are in the good half or even better you are a happy single.

There are times when you don't have the luxury to evaluate all the possibilities. People are known to make split second accurate decisions when under pressure or under stress. It seems that whenever you have to explain to yourself or to someone else HOW you arrived at a decision; then things get more complicated than they should.

Both logic and intuition are good and we should train ourselves to use both. Haven't you experienced the feeling that you can smell a rat in a business deal? You can't put your finger on it but it doesn't feel right.

Falling in love is the true case where you need logic. The attraction for the opposite sex will play tricks on you if you can't find some good reasons as to why you should spend time with that person and consider your future together. Yet in the end you end-up marrying someone who is your total opposite. I guess you crave for what you don't have and together you end up with a bit of everything.

The case where you need to listen to your heart is when you procrastinate about a decision you know you should take. We are lazy by nature and convenience is always king. But you know deep-down what you should do. So be brave and do it! No need to rehearse all the arguments, cop-outs and excuses as to why not helping somebody in need. One day the roles might be reversed and you might find yourself at the other end of someone's decision process.

We all have a built-in mechanism called our conscience which whispers to us some words of wisdom. Because we are by nature rebellious and independent some have gone so far that they cannot hear that small voice anymore.

Head and heart are also involved in the pursuit of your goals. (I assume you have set yourselves some short, medium and long term goals and that you have put them down on paper in your diary. If not you might want to look at Goal Setter.) You will need your heart to stick to your vision and decide that no matter what; you will do everything possible to reach that worthwhile goal. You will need your head to break that goal into manageable milestones to get you there one step at a time.

Overwhelmed by circumstances

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +1100

Have you got the impression that no matter what you do things simply don't budge? You can claim it, you can yell at it, you can wave your fist at the wall - nothing changes.

What about a different approach? What is standing in the way of you reaching your goal? Too much month at the end of the money? No place to live, hopping from friend to friend until you have overstayed your welcome? Are you bound to a wheelchair? When you are out in the dumps you meet two sorts of people: those who ignore you and those who are quite prepared to take advantage of you...

What doesn't kill you will make you stronger. Bad things happen to good people for no fault of their own. When there is a will there is a way.

Each one of us is equipped with some unique gifts which will ensure our survival. The challenge is to have a good look at what is in your hand and use it in a creative way. Don't try to copy someone else - instead write your own story. Admit to yourself that you are unique and that it will take the whole combination of abilities vested in you to get there.

Taking a good inventory of your skills is not obvious. But then there are things you are passionate about. When you have fire in your belly you will pull it through. The right type of anger properly channelled, the right motivation about some issue that keeps you awake at night - that is the fuel for overcoming.

Think about the great stories of jail escapees who nibbled away at rocks day in, day out on their way to freedom. To them failure was not an option. Do your research. Talk to people but don't let them pour cold water on your dream. Investigate and devise ways of doing it cheaper and quicker than others have done in the past.

Be unique, be remarkable. Being average is bad in a competitive world. People applaud the number one but number two who worked just as hard gets ignored. Don't take it personally. Find something where you can be number one. Something just for you. Something that was waiting all along to be discovered by you.

If you don't believe in yourself, who will? Maybe this is the challenge of your life. Maybe this is the reason you were born. Maybe this is your one chance of being somebody. What do you want to be remembered for? The one who overcame the circumstances - that's who!

Why goal setting is important

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +1100

Without goals you cruise through life wasting your time and energy with whatever demands your attention at the time. Life can be fun but what do you want to be remembered for? Is there something dear to your heart that's worth going after?

Goal setting is the discipline to get things done. If you have never faced obstacles in life then goal setting makes no sense to you. You don't need to set goals to go down the store and buy some milk - unless it is a war zone and the welfare of your family depends on it.

Setting goals and just as importantly, monitoring your progress will change the way you perceive your world. Gritting your teeth, shouting at people, kicking the dog will not make your goal fall into your lap. But planning ahead, setting aside time and resources (money) to bring about a favourable outcome will give you the confidence that if you set your mind on something you will eventually get there.

The journey, the adventure, the opportunity to solve problems is what makes goal setting a most rewarding endeavour. Also think of the people you can draw into your path, colleagues, family members, neighbours. Some will support you, others will be jealous and criticize you. What you put up with will eventually make you more resilient.

Some feel powerless and depressed in a world that's going nowhere fast. You have decided to make your mark in your surroundings. You have the vision to see your accomplishment. You don't know how to get there yet. The challenge is to find a way. Obstacles are there to be overcome.

The initial work is to take stock of where you are now. Then do some research to fill in on all the missing bits. Break down the overall goal into manageable milestones. Are tasks independent of each other or do they have to follow in a precise order? Are there pioneers you need to talk to? Tools you need to investigate? Methods you need to learn?

The net result of the exercise is not only the expected outcome but also the shaping up of your character for bigger and greater things. Later you will look back on your first goal and say to your children: "See, that's how I got started!" Our mental capacity to handle several things at once is limited. A goal setting program, like a diary or a calculator, is a tool to help you think straight. There any enough temptations to mess around with your head. That's why you need to keep your focus and not give up and make excuses.

Don't just wish for things. Make them happen. Goal Setter is an online tool to document and track your progress towards your goals while Wise Accounts is an online bookkeeping tool to manage your finances and forecast your cash flow.

Is There Any Reason to Not Set Goals?

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +1100

There is a name for it - it's called procrastination. The problem is, you can't keep time in a bottle. If you don't run with it, you have wasted it already.

The only people who can rest in peace and not face any new challenges are those who are six feet under the ground. For the rest of us who remain alive, setting goals is a natural part of life. You only get one shot at it. You might as well plan it well...

Anybody who has achieved something worthwhile with their life will tell you it didn't happen by accident. Setting goals give you the ability to see past your current mental horizon. It gives you a purpose to live, the drive to achieve, the determination to overcome obstacles, the strength to withstand pain, the resolve to stand-up to criticism, the joy to accomplish your passion.

People are reluctant to set goals for fear of having to be accountable. They shy away from making commitments for fear of failure or for giving-in under pressure. They like to be comfortable and not rock the boat. They like the status-quo. The perfect couch potato.

Setting goals and most importantly reaching them is an ongoing process. As you plod along you review your progress periodically. You ponder about that insurmountable obstacle a month ago which now looks more like a molehill. You smile at the taunts from siblings, friends and neighbours who gave you everything but encouragement. You have now saved some cash to finance the next phase of the project. You have done your homework and talked to people in that field.

Then comes the unexpected setback. "I told you so!" comes ringing in your ear. The unforseen event that puts everything in jeopardy. Time for a break. Go and smell the roses. A spark of creativity will come when your mind is free to idle for a bit.

A phone call rings. A friend of yours you haven't seen for a while has got it all worked out. People get encouraged by your plight. You are not running the race on your own. Some folks are cheering you on. Keep up the pace.

Eventually the goal is reached. The adventure is over. What a great feeling. You can't wait to do it all over again with a greater, better goal. You file away your journal for posterity. What a great story to tell your kids dangling on your knees.

See what you're missing out on by not setting goals...

The lesser goal that keeps you bound

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +1100

You may be so focused that you will indeed reach your goal no worries - and screw-up your life in the process.

What is the point of increasing sales by 15% if that cost you your marriage? You can always make more money next year if that's what you're good at - where you spend your time right now is what will shape your future. Relationships should be valued above all. Every divorce casualty will tell you that if they had known they would have paid attention to those early warning signs and extinguish the fire before the whole house was ablaze...

Goals do compete with each other for our limited resources of time and money. A dejected spouse will remark: "My partner does this and that - I know I'm not number one anymore..."

Therefore having business goals without family goals and spiritual goals is quite short-sighted. Yet all around you the clamour is all about doing more with less, increasing productivity, reducing costs, beating the competition, increasing market share...

Better to be poor together than rich alone. That's not exactly the message Madison Avenue would print in bold on the back of a bus. Yet if you have a close look at it you will realise that if you invested so many years of your life with your partner this is something you can never replace. When a relationship is broken something inside of you dies. The joys and hardships you went through together belong to both of you. If you are no longer together that legacy is lost forever. You will never get it back by getting involved with someone else. You can never press the reset button of your mind. Those memories will haunt you. You can only live your life once.

The reason we give up easily on family goals is that you cannot change somebody else. You have to love people how they are - warts and all. But if you are able to do that then they might return the compliment and let you know you are also accepted and loved as you are. This in turn releases us to be our best. Notice the boomerang effect when you choose to be unselfish. Working on your family goals first will in turn enlist their support for your business goals because they appreciate you are doing it for them. It's no longer your idol you worship at the pedestal of success no matter what. You have become real - not a phoney stereotype who has lost self-identity.

Corporate cultures are notorious for wanting to own you body and soul without leaving anything left for your relationship. Some of us have to make a hard choice - work or family - why can't I have both?

Spiritual goals are even starker in consequences. What is the point of amassing wealth since you will leave it all behind when you depart this world? There is nothing wrong with having wealth - it gives you the power to do good in your sphere of influence. So after you're gone (I can assure you you're not eternal) what do you want to be remembered for? How do you want to make your life count? Are you just a passing vapour or do you have some substance you can pass on for posterity?

Think about those things when you set your goals. Some goals are worth everything - others may not be that important next year...

How to Come Up With Goals

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +1100

If you are bored with your life or dissipate with the wrong crowd the best thing that can happen to you is to get fire in your belly to go after a worthwhile goal. But what could that be?

Do not despise your time of idleness. People who keep racing around do not have time to think. When they finally use their brain for themselves it is usually too late.

There are two types of goals you could go after. The selfish goals and the altruistic goals.

You could set yourself in motion to own that dream car you looked at in the past. It would make you feel on top of the world. You would be the envy of your neighbourhood. It would be the perfect status symbol. Problem is the moment you drive out of the showroom its value has instantly depreciated by 20%. Compare that with the interest on the car loan. The immaculate duco of your new set of wheels will almost become an extension of your body and you will become very touchy about potential dents and scratches.

Could you take up some vocational training and be more versatile on the employment scene?

Could you overcome this phase of depression, take a holiday, meet new friends, relocate in a new area?

On the other end you could search high and low for issues that resonate with you in an attempt to formulate a solution as your goal. Are there homeless kids in your area who could do with a bit of team sport instead of roaming the streets in mischief?

Could you build a granny flat or a guest room at your abode to cater for visitors and people you want to help?

Could you rev-up your business venture to provide employment for those willing but unable to work?

Could you invent some safety device to prevent another tragic death like the one which just shattered your life?

Could you impart knowledge or work as a volunteer to make a change in someone else's life?

Could you mind your grandchildren so that their parents could pay off their mortgage sooner?

A goal in itself is just a destination. The fun and challenging part really is the journey to get there.

So go on and do it. There is out there a goal just the right size and shape for you. Throw yourself into it. Claim your first achievement. Get set for a new one after that... Get the achiever's spirit in your blood.

Don't just wish for things. Make them happen. Goal Setter is an online tool to document and track your progress towards your goals while Wise Accounts is an online bookkeeping tool to manage your finances and forecast your cash flow.

How good it is to do nothing when all else is busy around

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +1100

Being able to rest from your labour is a privilege few of us know how to enjoy in a world that wants more for less. You are not a machine. Unless you learn how to pace yourself you will burn - guaranteed!

There is a time to work and a time to rest. A time to concentrate and a time to unwind. A time to be creative and a time to relax.

What would be the motivation to get people to break that rule? Who said we had to obey rules? The common wisdom "do as you please as long as it doesn't harm anyone" is flawed.

Human beings work in cycles. We have a heartbeat. We need a regular sleep pattern. Even being deprived of sunlight is detrimental. The short answer is that we were made that way.

Learning to manage your time is a skill that is taught by frustration and disappointment. Something good can come out of a negative experience - as long as you have a teachable spirit. If you had it your way all the time you would become lazy and conceited. Not a pretty sight. Where you spend your time tells me all about your priorities in life. If you care for your family you will spend quality time to build them up. If work is your idol you will bow to a slave master that is never satisfied.

Why not be content with what you have now rather than trying to bite more than you can chew? And you know what? If you don't have the discipline to know when to stop someone else will pull the plug on you. It might be an accident, a mental breakdown, a relationship that ends up abruptly, a large customer taking their business elsewhere, etc...

The knowledge of the future does not belong to us. One thing we can control though is how we spend our time right now. Don't be burdened by past events. The past is gone. You can't go there and try to fix it. It is water under the bridge. Let go and move on. Forgive those who did you wrong. They might be oblivious to the hurt they caused you but by holding a grudge you're the one being bound - not them!

It is by abiding to your own rhythm that you can move forward. When you the least expect it, new ideas will spring to mind, why? Because the pressure is off and you are free again to be who you were meant to be...

Cathy Belrose commented:
You make me envious for a holiday but I have to pay the bills. I guess I'll have to be creative in how I use my commuting time.

When Does a Goal Begin To Take Over Your Life?

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +1100

The problem stems from having only one goal and not having achieved results through a goal setting program before.

Having several goals forces you to keep them in balance. It also requires that you prioritise what is an urgent need as opposed to what is a very important goal although you are quite aware it might take five years to get there...

If you have never reaped the fruits of a goal setting system before, you are in the dark as to how achievable a given goal might be. Likewise you have no tract record to estimate your own resilience. You have never trained yourself before to the discipline of keeping several balls in the air and performing a good juggling act.

Achievers are made not born. It is better to start small with something which has a fair chance of success but with a resolution path not the least straightforward.

Being obsessed with your goal is not good. Instead you should have a serene confidence that you will get there even though - right now you would be at a loss to explain to someone how you are going to get there.

Reaching a worthwhile goal is a bit like writing your own map because nobody has done that journey before.

You will learn how to pace yourself and take a day of rest once a week. Your make up as a human being demands it. Just like someone deprived of sleep becomes a zombie within 3 days, someone who does not know how to take a day off and put one's mind into neutral will fail simply because it is mentally unsustainable.

Have you heard the colloquial phrase: "I will sleep on it!" there is a lot of wisdom in doing so. Scores of entrepreneurs will gladly acknowledge that their most brilliant ideas came after a time of relaxation or after a good night sleep while having a shower...

So here is the challenge: the more you grit your teeth and aim to get there by hook or by crook the more the chances you will simply fail... sobering thought isn't it?

Barry F. commented:
After trying a few things that didn't work, I became reckless and impatient. Thanks for the reminder to pace myself.

Why You Need to Have Goals

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +1100

The mark of an overcomer is indeed to press on but also to have some lateral thinking in case a brute force approach doesn't work.

Your goal might be to get qualifications for the career you have chosen, to buy a house in the neighbourhood of your choice, to save for an overseas trip, etc... the benefits might be obvious but the way to get there is not that clear.

That's why setting goals will keep you on track. The way you use your time and your money says a lot about your priorities and how much you are committed to reach your goals.

The flip side of too much motivation is the risk of a burn out. Neglect sleep and recreation and you will become a zombie with nothing to show for yourself.

There are tools available to keep your pace. If you become single-minded about your goal your life may suffer. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Are we talking about impatience here? Remember the fable of the hare and the tortoise.

You won't be committed to reaching your goal unless the benefits are tangible. You won't be motivated to break down the obstacles and do your research unless you have an idea of the cost involved both in time and money.

Keep on a calendar an account of where you spend your time. You'll be surprised at the time wasters you will discover. Can you make use of your travel time by reading or listening to something worthwhile? Can somebody help you do the things you are currently doing?

Do a cash flow forecast listing all your regular bills and income to see how you could reasonably save for a worthwhile cause. Check your spending pattern and see if your lifestyle could be adjusted. How often do you eat out? Can you take some sandwiches to work instead? How much would that save over a month, a year?

In a challenging and competitive world goal setting is a must. There are too many things clamouring for your attention. If you don't review your goals regularly the daily grind will make sure you never get there.

Goals - How to Reach Your Life's Purpose

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +1100

Remember Martin Luther King speech: "I have a dream!" Do you have a dream worth living for? Do you get motivated like crazy for a particular issue? If so, dreaming just won't be enough but that's a start...

Most of the time a dream is nebulous - like a writing in the sky. You have to add substance to it. You have to setup a few stepping stones along the way. You have to keep dreaming to add more pieces to it. You have to make sure nobody steals your dream. That is nobody gets ahead of you and reaches the target before you. Another risk as a jealous or malevolent person who pours cold water on your dream. You and you alone must take responsibility for your dream's fulfillment.

The first thing is to do some research. Talk to people who already operate in that field. Mingle with like minded people. Read biographies of pioneers who opened the way.

Then you have to muster two types of resources: time and money. Start saving on a regular basis. One thing is sure - the realization of your dream will cost money.

Use your diary to allocate parcels of time where your undivided attention is dedicated to bringing your dream to pass. That will mean some sacrifice. Less time in front of the TV. Less time spent in socialising. Make use of your idle time. Listen to podcasts while commuting.

Next you need the right connections. Is there an association or club you could join? Is there a full time or part-time course you could enroll for?

If you have a family to support or other obligations you have to ensure your dream does not put you out of balance. That's why it is so critical to prioritize your limited resources. Reaching your dream is a journey, an adventure, an obstacle course, a pilgrim's progress.

Is your dream too big for you? Do you need to enroll other people to support you? Only if you have successfully reached challenging goals before will you have the leadership required to enlist others to your cause.

How do you measure your progress? How can you tell if you are making headway or if you are falling behind? How can you be trusted that there are reasonable chances you will get there? How would that motivate others to support you financially or by donating their time?

Set Your Mind On What You Want To Achieve

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +1100

In life you can't afford to navigate in the dark. You have to map out your journey in order to get there. Many have missed their calling for lack of preparation.

People accept readily they have to get an education to get a job but they seem to think they are going to reach their lifelong goals by accident.

The lack of commitment stems from a lack of documentation. Unless you have your goals in writing - you have no goals at all.

Just like there is a methodology to study, there is also a procedure to detail your goals, break them down into manageable milestones and allocate time and resources to them.

People see no problem in making themselves accountable to a boss when the payment of wages is at stake. Why they are so casual about setting and going after their lifelong goals is to do with a lack of commitment. Unless you have fire in your belly, unless you are passionate about a given cause that really resonates with you - you will waste your energy with whatever distraction calls your attention at the time.

We live in a society where so few people run their own business. Therefore we lack role models who have set their mind on achieving something worthwhile. We do not spend our spare time at the library. We flick the channels on TV to lull our frazzled mind with some second-rate entertainment.

Even an entertainer has to research topics to make fun of. In every setback there is a positive by-product if you care to look for it. If life has been unkind to you there will be some issue you feel strongly about. You want to prevent other people from being caught in the same trap. You want to pass-on your experience to the next generation. You want to design an apparatus to protect life. You want to care for the disadvantaged.

Thinking about it in itself is not going to make it happen. You need to dream more. You need to talk to people in related fields. You need to position yourself towards you area of interest. You may have a spark of inspiration one morning in the shower. You may win the favour of some person in authority who believes in you but you have to believe in yourself first.

When everything has been said and done - what do you want to be remembered for?

Don't just wish for things. Make them happen. Wise Accounts is an online bookkeeping tool to manage your finances and forecast your cash flow while Goal Setter is another online tool to document and track your progress towards your goals. Take advantage of these resources.

Why Are We Reluctant To Set Goals?

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +1100

"Blessed are those who aim for nothing for they shall not be disappointed."

What are the motivators which would have us rather not set goals?

Rebel at heart - if you have an issue with authority you will not even be able to submit to setting your own priorities let alone somebody else's.

Discipline - setting goals means you can no longer do as you please. You have to do what your goals tell you to do - a sobering thought for some.

Lack of accountability - ignoring goals which do not perform does not make them go away. They need to be re-negotiated with the new evidence at hand.

Fear of failure - the crushing sense of defeat. It is less painful to miss out on a good outcome than to be hurt again - so we tell ourselves.

Lack of vision - the new goal does not have a framework to fit into. Goals do not live in isolation but either compete with each other or support each other.

Lack of commitment - the ability to say no to things outside our vision. We are not sold out enough on the expected outcome to warrant a change of habits.

Effort - some people get out of bed because they have to - others get out of bed because they want to embrace what a new day has to offer.

Unable to dream - unless you can clearly see your goal in your mind you will not be motivated to go after it.

Isolation - lack of contacts, role models, worthwhile information to inspire. We are social animals and there are things we cannot do on our own. Bad company corrupts character.

Lack of resources - goals require time or money or both. Reallocating your time and finances clearly tells what your priorities are. Which goal has the best chance to unlock your horizon for other goals to follow through?

Lack of self-esteem - some people wrongly think they are undeserving and would not pat themselves on the back when they reach a given milestone. This is a critical step not to be missed because it will give you the fuel to keep on going.

Lack of strategy - setting goals without figuring out how to reach them is like embarking on a journey without a map.

Unbelief - "I tried that before and it didn't work!" This kind of self-talk will cause you to miss out on your potential. What you believe about yourself will determine what you will do about your life.

Lucy D. commented:
My goal is to be happy - but that's not really a goal is it? Maybe I need to define - being happy at doing what?