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 the future, or to travel, take a vacation, or purchase the things we need and want to make our lives more enjoyable. An important distinction, however, is that top achievers are very intentional and focused on their goals, while many of the rest of us are not.

Top achievers know that the wording, structure, timing and format of a goal can make it's achievement much easier ? or far more difficult. Top achievers understand the basic skills for setting and reaching their goals, every time! They know how to design goals that create success. Here are the 10 most important steps to set and achieve your goals:

1. Reachable goals are SPECIFIC. Top achievers know that to reach their goals, the brain must know exactly, precisely, what they are trying to accomplish. Never word a goal with vague terms like "some" or "a little bit", or "more". Be specific! If you want to lose 8 pounds and reach a weight of 175, specify those exact numbers. If you want to save $200 this month, be exact. Your brain can help you accomplish almost anything if it knows precisely what you are aiming for.

2. Reachable goals are SIMPLE. Many people describe their goals in complex terms of retiring on the beach in Hawaii, with nice cars and lots of money, and?. Their list goes on and on. Any ONE of those things is a great goal, but the combination becomes over whelming and the brain gets confused. If you want to retire in Hawaii, just say so! If you want to increase your sales by 10% this month, say so! Keep your goals simple, clear, and focused.

3. Reachable goals are SIGNIFICANT. No one can muster the enthusiasm, hard work and courage to reach a goal they don't really care about. A reachable goal is one you really, really, REALLY want! It's something that will change your life, enhance your health or wealth, and make you proud. It gets your juices flowing, gets you up in the morning, and keeps you going all day long, because it is important! Set goals that are worth achieving!

4. Reachable goals are STRATEGIC. High achievers know that the best goals accomplish many great outcomes, all at one time. Running a 10K race will almost certainly: 1) feel great! 2) help you lose weight. 3) lower your cholesterol level 4) strengthen your heart 5) lower you risk of heart disease 6) increase your energy and stamina, and 7) improve your outlook. Design your goals to strategically impact as many areas of your life as possible. You'll have more reasons to reach your goal and more excitement when you do!

5. Reachable goals are MEASURABLE. A goal without a measurable outcome is just a pipe-dream. You can't achieve a pound of "happiness" or 6 inches of "self-esteem", but you CAN get a new job. You CAN run a mile in under 7 minutes, or do 100 sit-ups. Someone has wisely observed that, "What gets measured, gets done." Define your goals in terms of height, weight, dollars, inches, or hours. Then measure your progress until you achieve your desired outcome.

6. Reachable goals are RATIONAL. To reach your goal, you will need a plan, a path, and a vehicle for getting there. Your goals must make sense! When you explain them to friends and family, your goals should create excitement, draw support, and encouragement. Your goals should be just out of reach, but not out of sight! You want to stretch to be your best, not strain after impossible dreams. Set goals you CAN and WILL achieve!

7. Reachable goals are TANGIBLE. Choose goals that you can see, hear, smell or touch. Go for things you will enjoy and that you can clearly visualize. The brain has hard time going for "financial security", but it can visualize a bank statement with nice, large numbers on it! Define your goals in terms that excite the senses, then go for it with all your heart!

8. Reachable goals are WRITTEN. High achievers always know precisely what they want, because they've written it down. Often, they write a short description of their goals every single morning, as a personal reminder of their priorities and their objectives. The act of writing your goals down vastly increases your chance of success. Write it down! Then, keep your notes where you can see and read them every day.

9. Reachable goals are SHARED. We are far more likely to stick to our plan and reach our goals if we know our friends and family support us. Being part of a team increases our determination, our stamina, and our courage. Caution: Never share your goals with anyone who may ridicule, tease or discourage you! The world is full of doubters and you have no time for them. But, find a support team, a group of cheerleaders, and a coach who will encourage you every step of the way. High achievers count on and work with other winners!

10. Reachable goals are CONSISTENT WITH YOUR VALUES. One of the biggest reasons people fail to achieve their goals is that they have conflict between their behavior and their values. However, when your values and your goals are in agreement, there is no stopping you! Clarify your values first, then set simple, specific, measurable, tangible, written goals that are consistent with those values. You will achieve them, every single time!

© 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

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Magic of Goal Manifestation

What goals do you have for your life? If you... Read More

Goal Setting - Forget About It

Many motivational speakers and self-help books will tell you that... Read More

Your Goals Clearly In Mind

Keep Your Goals Fresh In Your Mind - Most of... Read More

Getting ready for a transition? Read the Fine Print of Your Dream

"In the factory we make lipstick; in the drugstore we... Read More

Treasure Map Your Next Success

Treasure Map Your Success for 2005Treasure-mapping is the process of... Read More

The Power of the Negative

The vast majority of us learn very early on that... Read More

One Focus To Success

Too many times we are distracted from our main goal... Read More

How To Find Lasting Goals

If you, just by coincidence, read my short article about... Read More

Goal Setting and Goal Getting: The BD3 Approach

Most people have no problem setting goals. At the same... Read More

The Process of Developing Meaningful Goals

DEVELOPING A GOAL-SETTING CHECKPOINT: The process of developing meaningful goals... Read More

Do You Really Value What You Wish For?

I am sitting in a shopping mall, waiting for my... Read More

Start Working on Your Goals Today!

The alarm goes off at 6am, you roll out of... Read More

Prosperity, Step-by-Step

Some may think that the change from paucity or 'the... Read More

Goalsetting - How to Easily Set and Get Your Goals

Which of the following changes to your life do you... Read More

10 Ways To Hold Your Focus and Get Your Goals

Hocus, Pocus, it's all about focus. That's the real magic... Read More

The 12 Commandments of Goal Setting

Many professionals have a basic idea of what they want... Read More

Your Goals Are Unique

We have just begun another new year in our lives.... Read More

Left Your Job ?On A Matter of Principle?! Now what?

Let's get started with the emotional part!1. Take time out.... Read More

How to Break the Cycle of Postponing Your Dreams

Do you have a dream, but keep postponing it because... Read More

New Years Resolutions? Dont Be So Hard On Yourself

Have you set resolutions for yourself to accomplish in 2005?... Read More

Why Do Many Smart, Motivated People Never Achieve Their Goals?

In his multimedia "Unleash Your Greatness Success System" Mike Litman... Read More

Got Purpose? Part 2

I guess I found some hot buttons last week eh?... Read More

Reaching for the Goal

Can goals be easily reached? This question is in most... Read More

Dreams, Goals, And Aspirations - Is This Holding You Back?

In this short article I'd like to discuss a certain... Read More

Achieve Your Goals: Embodying Your Intentions to Inspire Manifestation

Bringing life to your ideas is what helps them to... Read More

Look Where Youre Going - And Keep An Eye On The Blind Spots!

I recently had the pleasure of motorcycle riding instruction from... Read More

Why Traditional Goal Setting Doesnt Work

If you have a $100.000.000 in the bank, drive new... Read More

Achieving Your Goals by Using One Word

One of my favorite techniques for achieving goals is to... Read More

The Kaizen of Goal Setting

There is an old way of goal setting and a... Read More

Living The Real Life Beyond Goal Setting

In many of his wonderful talks the motivational speaker Zig... Read More

Make This Your Most Productive Year Ever - 26 Tips

Each year we start the year thinking about our goals,... Read More

Establishing Dreams and Goals

(Excerpted from Week Six of the Jim Rohn One-Year Success... Read More

Where Will You Be July 1st, 2006?

So, a New Year has snuck up on you again... Read More