Goal Setting that Works


By Mark S.A. Smith

RIGHT NOW is a great time to set goals, and set your motivation. Here is a process that you can use to create goals that make a difference for you.Your goals must have meaning for you. Your odds of failing are greater if you're trying to reach someone else's goals. Use this exercise to define your success for the upcoming months.

Sit back, relax, and imagine yourself one year into the future, looking back on today. What was it that you decided to do that made you so successful? Perhaps it was that you decided to invest a certain amount of money (money success isn't about how much you make, but how much you keep). Perhaps it was that you decided to own a certain car, home, or other luxury. Perhaps it was that you were able to take your dream vacation. What ever it was, define what created your feeling of success and satisfaction.Wasn't that a fun exercise! Write down that success vision and attach a copy to your calendar a year into the future, so that you can go back and check on your of success at year end.Create a step-by-step action plan. Write it down along with your success vision for the year. Break down the plan into smaller pieces that you can accomplish in 15 minutes a day.

Perhaps it means increasing your performance at work by 5 percent by going in 15 minutes earlier. Perhaps it means going to evening classes once a week to gain a new skill. Perhaps it means turning off the TV a half hour earlier so that you can review investment opportunities.While your goals should be a bit of a stretch, make sure that you can accomplish them. There's no sense in setting a goal to win the Boston Marathon if you haven't run a mile since high school. Yet you probably can increase your fitness so that you can run a 5k race this summer.

You must be able to measure your goal. What will you use to gage how you're doing? Perhaps you'll use your savings account as your gage, getting ready for the down payment on that new car.Create interesting ways to track how well you're doing and stay focused on achieving your goals. Will you make a little thermometer and color it in? Will you have a little grid and check off your success? Will you have a little racecar that you move around a track as you stay on track? This may seem goofy, yet you'll discover that this little trick works magic in keeping you motivated.

Build little celebrations into your plan. It could be as simple as a candy bar or as wonderful as a massage or a celebratory lunch at your favorite restaurant. Celebrations keep you motivated to see your success vision become reality. Don't reward yourself until you deserve the reward.© MMVII Mark S.A. Smith. All rights reserved. Reuse encouraged and permission granted when including this copyright notice and contact information. http://www.OCEinc.com

Mark founded Outsource Channel Executives Inc. (OCE, Inc) in 2003 to serve clients who were looking for ways to successfully take their products and services to market. After 22 years of working in and with high-tech sales and marketing channels, Mark identified that channel success depended on building value, driving demand, forming a powerful network, and protecting profits. A recognized business expert, Mark co-authored Guerrilla Negotiating, Guerrilla TeleSelling, and Guerrilla Trade Show Selling.


More Resources

Taking Charge and Getting Results: The Choice is Yours
As one of the most successful direct sales entrepreneurs in the industry, I have found there are two kinds of people in the world, those who would like success and those who are serious about success. There really is no in between.
The Magic of Float
If you've ever received a service today and paid for it in 30 days you've experienced the concept of "float" - the time difference between when you receive a service and when you paid for it. In most cases this time period is a convenience to you as a customer, but in the world of business marketing it can absolutely transform your business.
Ex-Yankee Pitcher Pitches Barter As Powerful Business Tool
Mission Viejo, CA - June 14, 2005 - Bob Meyer, a former major league pitcher in the 1960s who signed four-consecutive major league contracts with the New York Yankees, is now the most visible spokesman for the worldwide commercial barter industry.Meyer is the publisher of BarterNews, which he founded 25 years ago.
Solving the Million Dollar Mystery: 4 Steps To Create A Turn-Key Business
You're a smart, hardworking entrepreneur, and you're moving fast. You are highly educated in your field and your business is growing and getting busier each day.
The Power Of Personal Environments
I've got to admit, I'm a big fan of comfort. I like it when things in my world are stable and reliable.
The Dirty Dozen
1) No Umbrella Business Plan or Strategy -- Without a plan, there's no serious way to gauge the growth and progress of your business. You need a realistic map for where the customers will come from and where your business is going.
Determine Your Niche & Be Successful
What's a niche?Dictionary.com provides a great, twofold definition:"A situation or activity specially suited to a person's interests, abilities, or nature.
The Business Leader as Ultramarathoner
Have you ever heard of an ultramarathon? A standard marathon isjust over 26 miles. An ultramarathon is usually on the order of50 or 100 miles, though there are some that span one thousand! Imagine the endurance required to run such a race.
Leadership Attributes for Business Success
Business success is essentially the result of successful leadership. Contrary to the popular myth, leaders are not just born.
How Good Is Your Big Idea
Q: I want to start my own business. I have tons of business ideas that all sound great to me, but my husband is not so sure.
Why Most CEOs & Entrepreneurs Fail?
Times are tough. The economy is in a constant state ofupheaval.
Expand Your Resourcefullness!
The success and failure for the entrepreneur is largely dictated by the ability to gain access to resources, both personal as well as those of others.So the big question is then 'how does one become more resourceful?' Like many of the skills of the entrepreneur, resourcefulness requires constant cultivation.
Can You Make Money Without Money?
When I ask why you don't start your own business, I always hear, "I don't have money to start a business."This is a common excuse people give for not starting their own business.
Double Down on Marketing
If you want to compete in the world of high growth startups, you better know how to play the marketing game. Marketing has become a big stakes game where companies are betting fortunes on the success of their products.
From Employee to Entrepreneur: Taking the Plunge
Before you decide whether or not running your own business is right for you, start by pinpointing your area of expertise and assessing your aptitude for business.Starter Questions Ask yourself the following questions:- In what areas do people approach me for advice and assistance? From what parts of my job do I get the most satisfaction?- What do I like doing so much that I would do it even with no pay?- What hobbies or interests could I "spin off"into a small business?- Do I enjoy budgeting and financial planning?- Do I enjoy making cold calls, tele-marketing and selling?- Do I have enough self-discipline to work on my own?- How easy is it for me to bounce back from rejection & setbacks?Proceed with CautionBefore you take the plunge, it's important to "wade in gradually" or you may just find yourself swamped.
Used-Book Case Study
Dwight Payne and Gary Heap reside in Santa Barbara, CA, where they attend college and pursue their mutual hobby of science-fiction book collecting. They pooled their book collection of over 4,000 volumes, and sci-fi magazines going back over twenty-five years.
The Entrepreneurs Dilemma
In business, you plan to protect your inventory, your unique ideas and approach, and your money. It's easy to replenish inventory, come up with new ideas and make more money.
Starting Your Business: It All Boils Down To Making Money and Saving Money
Bootstrapping in the context of business start-ups refers to the use of creative financing approaches such as leveraging personal savings, credit-card debt, loans from friends and family, bartering, and other means to launch a business. Some business founders use bootstrapping because they have no other choice.
How To Find Hot Online Business Ideas
Would you like to find the key that unlocks thedoor to a gold-mine of online response, sales and results for your business?It seems obvious that you would be able to see what the experts do differently when locating market opportunities, finding out what people want and quickly turning that into an online business generatingtruckloads of cash. The reality is YOU CAN'T!While the secret is massive in it's impact, it is so subtle - so subtle that you are sure to miss it if you don't know what to look for.
What Qualities Do Franchisors Need?
When I got into business I wanted to build a company, which helped people and provide a product and service that people loved and were willing to pay for; one I would not have to sell or convince anyone of. Something that people truly wanted to extend and enhance their pursuit of happiness.

More Entrepreneurialism Information:

Related Articles

Designing a Comprehensive Franchise Company Computer System
One of the most important management tools a franchised company needs is a great computer system. The system must integrate with all the franchised outlets and also be able to interface with the Corporate HQ computer system.
Franchises-Exit Strategy
At an International Franchising Symposium in London, Peter Holt made the bold statement to his audience of Franchisors that they needed to understand that their business would fail, and in fact all businesses are bound for failure. Needless to say, there were a few shocked faces in the crowd.
The Use of Common Stock in Venture Capital Transactions
When raising capital for a business venture, a company can either raise debt capital, equity capital or a combination of the two. Debt capital is money loaned to the company at an agreed interest rate for a fixed time period.
Enterprising Route is to Go Your Own Way
DON'T talk to me about education for entrepreneurs. They're pouring far too much public money into it already - not counting the millions some well-known Scottish entrepreneurs are prepared to waste on it.
The Reluctant Entrepreneur
It seems odd to think of a person opening a shop, knowing that they're not at all interested in selling or in face-to-face interaction with customers. But that's exactly what many Internet business owners have done.
Be An Entrepreneurial Artist: Paint A Picture, then Commit It to Canvas
James had an original concept and he needed an investor. He had a compelling business idea that was a sure winner with the right financial backing.
Are You Sure You Want To Start Your Own Business? Part Two of a Series
Why, exactly, do you want to go into business for yourself? Is it because you cannot stand the thought of working for an uptight, demanding, and perfectly dreadful boss?Is it because you cannot bear the thought of going through another downsizing or restructuring, knowing that your job could be on the line?Is it because you want to be your own boss, call your own shots, or see more up side in your earning potential, with the possibility of financial self-sufficiency? These are all good reasons for wanting to go into business. In fact, studies have shown that many entrepreneurs get their start due to some life-altering experience such as losing a job or finally walking away from a dead-end job or a demoralizing work environment.
Business Start Up Tips From Some Hearty Entrepreneurs
When's the last time someone asked you: "What's new?"If you're starting or growing a business, an e-business, or a web site, the answer is: "Everything!" - especially on the inside.Face it, launching a new enterprise - or taking it to the next level - can sometimes feel scary and overwhelming.
Oil Change Guys History; Part III
Studying the history of franchise companies is interesting is watching all the ways they grew and all the partnerships, vendors and mergers along the way. It is a myriad of deals and team building, which makes it all possible.
What is Entrepreneurship?
In discussing entrepreneurship and writing articles on the subject, I have found that it aids understanding when we begin by agreeing on exactly what the word means to us.Entrepreneurship is the process of creating or seizing an opportunity, and pursuing it regardless of the resources currently controlled.
How to Be an Entrepreneur and Keep Your Sanity
Define for yourself what an Entrepreneur is:What makes you think you can start and grow a business?Do you make something that people just have to have?Are you talented in a way that make you stand out from the crowd?What makes you different from Joe Schmoe?Conduct a quick skills assessment and ask yourself what makes you stand out from the rest?What are your ultimate goals? Why are you striking out on your own?
Raising Capital for Your Business - How Long Does it Take?
Most companies vastly underestimate the time commitment necessary to successfully complete a financing. In actuality, a company seeking financing needs to budget between 500 to 1000 work-hours to the capital-raising process, spread out over a 6-9 month time period.
Veteran Entrepreneurs Are Growing In Ranks
When I'm not running my own business, writing articles about business, speaking to groups and organizations about business, or consulting with companies who want my advice about the running of their business, I teach a weekly class on the subject of (care to guess?) starting and running a business.To quote my frequently-mentioned and wise-beyond-her-years teenage daughter, Chelsea, "Dad, you really need to get a life.
About Ending Competition
1. Why should I not compete with others?The very concept of "competition" is fear based.
10 Tips for Would-be Entrepreneurs
Every evening as the sun sets beyond the mangroves that line the shore along the western bank of Lake Myakka, Florida, herds of wild deer and wild black pigs come down to the water's edge to drink and slake their thirst.I have seen them up close and it is a beautiful, peaceful and inspiring sight!Every evening as the sun sets beyond the mangroves that line the shore a horde of hungry alligators wait just below the surface and watch for their prey.
Corporate Espionage in Franchising
Franchising Trade Journals do not do well, because today with all the industry regulations only about 1800 active franchise actually exist in the US. Down sharply over the past five years.
Venture Capital Negotiating Issues
When companies enter into negotiations with venture capital firms, there are several issues which need to be defined and agreed upon. This article describes the key issues.
Work On, Not In Your Business
Are you busy? Everyone's busy! Ask anyone they'll tell you how busy they are. But how many people are accomplishing real results?In your small business, it's easy to get buried in the myriad activities that demand your attention each day.
The Heroic Entrepreneur: Profiting from Your Brilliance
If you look up the definition of hero in Webster's, you'll find a definition something like, 'A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life: soldiers and nurses who were heroes in an unpopular war'. Some heroes in our lives have earned that badge of honor by doing something everyone feels is heroic as defined in the traditional sense, whether it's running into a burning building to rescue a child, pulling an injured woman from a car accident, or fighting the enemy in the time of war.
A Dorm Room With A View
As a senior in high school, he paid cash for a BMW with money made by selling newspapers. In 1983, as a college freshman, he sold custom-made PCs and parts out of his dorm room?hiding them behind his roommate's shower curtain whenever Mom and Dad visited.