Goals, Strategies, Actions, Success!

Goal setting is an important exercise for everyone. Without goals, we just drift along and life passes us by. Goal setting allows us to be proactive vs reactive and take charge of our life. However, goal setting isn't enough. Goal setting is just the first step to achievement. Goals must have strategies and actions to complete.

Say your goal is to lose weight. Goals need to be specific if you're going to have any chance of success. Lets say you decide you want to lose 20 and weigh 150 pounds by a date set four months from now. Four months is the recommended time for success. Time passes. Four months later, you get on the scale. Are you surprised to discover that you haven't lost any weight?

Summer is coming and you want to look and feel great! Try this proactive and measurable Goal Setting formula that I use with my clients. It works if you are committed.

Try this formula: I will be 20 lbs lighter by June 1, 2008 or add some punch- I will be happily standing on my bathroom scale weighing 150 on June 1, 2008. In each case you say what you will do by when.

Now its time to add strategies to accomplish your goals.The Goal is like the Title of your book, the Strategies are the Chapters-the actions are what happens in those chapters to bring about the final result.

Goal-Strategy-Actions-Execute-Celebrate

To get started try these 8 general strategies: 1-Create a Vision 2- Identify where you are now 3- Evaluate Your Resources 4- Identify Support Structures 5- Plan How to Get There (what are the actions you will take to reach your goal list at least 8 for each goal) 6- Go for it-Execute the plan. 7- Monitor and Adjust 8- Celebrate Your Success.

Without a goal setting strategy, and series of actions to achieve your goal, your chances of success are limited. To be successful, you need to make things happen, not just let things happen.

Now get going.

1. Write your goals write as SMART goals:
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Rewarding, Time based. Use a 4 month window of time.
For example, suppose that you want to increase sales. When you're setting this goal, don't just write, "I will increase sales." This goal is too general. Be specific "I will increase sales 30% by August 1. Setting a specific goal builds in the criteria you will use to evaluate your success; in this case, on August 1, 2008 you'll either have increased sales by 30 percent compared when you started this goal which we suggest a 4 month span. . Every goal you set needs to follow this basic goal setting formula: I will (specific goal) by (specific date)

2.Develop Straties: use the strategies listed above to develop an action plan for reaching your goal. Remember: Strategies are high level plans you will follow to achieve the goal. Each strategy should have several action steps to complete. Remember: Goals, Strategies, Actions, Execute, Celebrate.

Congratulations- you've set yourself up for success! Now go for it! Need help-contact me for a free goal setting session.