Nothing stops us. Well, almost nothing. Although we do live in a world that whirls at breakneck speed, there are a few things that will stop us in our tracks. When tragedy strikes, our attentions are diverted from our normal hustle and bustle to the turmoil at hand. The perfect example of this is, of course, the world's reaction to the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States and the events following it.
As we witness catastrophic events unfold around us, our own mortality becomes evident. In reaction to this, we vow to devote more time to the "important things" in life and do less quibbling about the "small stuff"
Post any tragedy, we are thankful for life's blessings. People often attend church services more, spend more time with their families and are just nicer to one another in general.
But Time changes everything and these newfound priorities have a way of being forgotten. It's much easier to slip back into the comfort of our old habits that it is to face the harsh reality of life and our own mortality.
To effectively reach your goals, your drive and vision must come from within. When it comes from outside sources, it may be ineffective long-term. According to John Donoghue, performance psychologist coach, "Motivation is only a temporary emotive action which usually has no real lasting effort nor does it make permanent changes."
In order to be truly successful in achieving goals, we must give ourselves a critical assessment and work to continually improve ourselves. "A person's performance and behavior will always be consistent with the picture they hold of themselves, i.e. their 'self-image'," says Donoghue.
And since nothing can improve our self-image like reaching goals, being successful can lead to more success. We are our own best coaches and motivators, and when the will to win comes from within, almost nothing can stop us.
In setting and striving for goals, there are many things we can do to help ensure success. One is to use the "SMARTER" approach to achieve your goals:
Specific: Is your goal specific enough to move toward?
Measurable: Is your goal tangible enough to measure?
Attainable: Is this goal possible for you at this point in time?
Relevant: Is your goal tied to what is most important?
Trackable: Can you chart your progress for this goal?
Elasticity: Are you and your goal flexible enough?
Rememberable: Will reaching your goal be a celebratory event?
Vera Haitayan, Principal Consultant of The Leadership Laboratory., a California-based employee development and process improvement consulting firm and is the senior editor of The Stepping Stone Newsletter featuring leadership and process improvement best practices. http://www.1leadershiplab.com mailto: vera@1leadershiplab.com
Over the years much has been written on the subject... Read More
We all have goals that are important to us. They... Read More
Why is it that some goals have a fire and... Read More
MAKING GOALS: Effective and motivational goals engage employees in work... Read More
Everything is in flow here in Northern Michigan. Buckets of... Read More
I remember Air Force Basic Training. My Training Instructor not... Read More
I recently spent some time revising my personal vision/mission statement... Read More
Set your GOALS - write them down! Most of us... Read More
Here is a unique way to combine your breath and... Read More
Do you have a desire? Silly question I know because... Read More
Perhaps you have never taken a stock of the most... Read More
I recently had the pleasure of motorcycle riding instruction from... Read More
All too often good-intentioned people set forth goals designed to... Read More
Scenario: You have taken care of the house, the kids,... Read More
"A man can be as great as he wants to... Read More
Do you remember the last time you had a blast?... Read More
Would you like to be sure that your personal goals... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --Much has been written... Read More
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is... Read More
Many people go through their daily lives feeling overwhelmed. There... Read More
(excerpted from the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan)Jim Rohn's Second... Read More
What is the right thing I need to do to... Read More
What's your dream? Want to give your vision a jumpstart?... Read More
All too often, we may be envisioning a level of... Read More
In the fury of trying to accomplish our goals, we... Read More
"In any and every given moment of your life, you... Read More
It's time to change the way we think and speak... Read More
The Belief That You Can Do It and more importantly,... Read More
Why are there so much stress and unhappiness in the... Read More
Everybody on this planet has enemies, rivals and foes. Call... Read More
Setting goalsSetting personal and business goals are a must if... Read More
In my earlier article "Setting Financial Goals ? Part 1"... Read More
Every time you get in your car to go anywhere,... Read More
A realistic goal setting workshop:Have you ever gone to a... Read More
Bringing life to your ideas is what helps them to... Read More
"What we need most, is not so much to realize... Read More
For one to achieve their goals or obtain their desires,... Read More
Every person who succeeded at a high level, in any... Read More
Do you have a dream? Is there something you want... Read More
So you feel beaten up and bruised and you're ready... Read More
4. Start somewhere (put to use what you already have)"Action... Read More
I began enhancing my personal energy level three months shy... Read More
There's been a lot written about goal setting and there... Read More
1) Write them down! Statistics show people who write down... Read More
We Need DreamsDreams are important. Not the dreams you have... Read More
NOTE: This article is one of the component parts of... Read More
Let's face it. Overcoming procrastination can be a challenge if... Read More
Before you go on an interview process or even start... Read More
Is it possible for an individual to pass a course... Read More
At this point in time you have an opportunity to... Read More
Have you set goals, personal or business, and failed to... Read More
Making sure our goals are properly aligned with our passions... Read More
As I was driving to a friend's house, I passed... Read More
If you've been diligent in doing the past 2 concentration... Read More
Have you ever wondered why some people are just naturally... Read More
It has been said that 60-80% of New Year's resolutions... Read More
It is important to have goals because they are good... Read More
Do you have a goal for the future that you... Read More
A true commitment is a heart felt promise to yourself,... Read More
To some people it means driving a flash car and... Read More
"..... there is no final goal. There is always further... Read More
Want to achieve your goals faster?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More
Do you like your life the way it is? Would... Read More
Goal setting is the true secret to success in any... Read More
The amazing thing about the future is that if you... Read More
Don't you just love the leaves changing colors in the... Read More
Goal Setting |