Goal Getting

"A goal is a nothing more than a dream with a time limit." ...says Joe L. Griffith. A time limit? Great idea!

Does having a deadline improve your work habits? Many folks get so much more done when they are clear when it has to be completed. Why not do this with the things you want most in life?

When you set the bar, you know you can move it. The trick, then, is to make the commitments you make to yourself as important…or, even, more important…than the ones you make to others. For some, that's a revolutionary idea!

Do you put yourself off?
Do you put yourself 'on hold' indefinitely?
Many folks do.

This is where the rubber hits the road in good ol' American slang. This is where you have to 'fish or cut bait'. This is where you have to decide that you are worth your time, energy and resources. But where do you start?

Sometimes, you have to stretch a little to reach high enough for success...

I was raised by Depression Era parents. Their experience taught them to take every measure to ensure financial security. By example and osmosis, this was passed along to me. To a degree, their approach makes sense, however, it was a difficult change to make when I wanted to invest in myself. To take my money and invest it in me and my business rather than accumulate it in savings and investments took a lot of courage and self-confidence. I still have to sit myself down and give myself a good talking to some days!

Money makes money. You make money. What you do with that money determines your success. Life is filled with opportunities. Of course, you have to pay your bills but it is very good advice to pay yourself first. Put some money in a place where it will make money smartly first, then, pay the bills. This will help you realize your dreams. Unless, of course, your dream is to scrounge, scrape and scurry through life with difficulty. Then, forget the last paragraph. <G>

Put a time limit on your goals. Give yourself something to work towards. You will achieve your dreams once you know what they are, what you're going to do to accomplish them, AND by when you will complete the task. Self-confidence will increase in direct proportion to the attention you give to your commitments to yourself. What a terrific by-product!

Get Started Goal Getting - putting the gears in motion

If you picked up that fateful bottle on the beach, and that weary genie popped out to grant you one wish, what would you wish for? Now aside from the mega-wishes like world peace, what do you want most in your life? Do you really know?

You know that you cannot work towards something you cannot name, don't you? Not only do you have to name it but you must name it clearly. Words like 'good', 'nice' and 'comfortable' have no meaning when you are creating your intentions. It's no use saying that you want to be a 'good' parent unless you know how you measure it. Be specific.

If you notice right now that you are saying, "Yes, yes, I know." and letting these thoughts wash over and past you, stop for a moment. You think you know what you mean when you say generalities. Your subconscious mind does not know. It works in pictures and needs clear instructions to create those pictures.

Just like Olympic athletes, you can accomplish your goals when they can be clearly visualized repeatedly. See yourself jumping over your own fifteen-foot pole vault bar. You define the bar, see it clearly and see, feel, hear, taste and smell victory. Then, it will be yours.

The above is an excerpt from Dr. Shaler's popular book, Optimize Your Day! Practical Wisdom for Optimal Living. Get your copy today!