Goal Setting and Goal Getting: Go Use This Stuff!

Q. I have always had such trouble with doing this goals thing. I don't know where to start or what to do. I can't seem to get going. I end up floundering, getting discouraged and giving up. Can you help me figure this thing out?

A. There are lots of things wrong with goals. One is growing up believing we set them only once a year - the dreaded New Year's resolutions. Another is believing goals are something you achieve and then walk away.

There are many things that get in the way of achieving our goals.

We have the false notion that goals are to be set only at the beginning of the year. Most New Year's resolutions are broken and forgotten before the end of January, so it's no wonder we get discouraged.

Goals can and should be set any time we choose to do so. Many people look at spring as a time of new beginnings, a time to make a fresh start. We can make a fresh start at any time. For me the fall has always been a time of fresh starts and new goals. It's when a break in the oppressive heat begins, and with it comes more energy for life. I often ask myself, "If I start now, what can be accomplished by the holidays?" This is sort of like giving yourself a special gift for the holidays.

Often, we try to accomplish too many goals at once. It's the old biting off more than we can chew syndrome. We get motivated and excited, set a whole bunch of goals, then get scattered, overwhelmed, distracted and discouraged. When you're just starting out trying to achieve goals, it's best to work on only one at a time. After you get a little experience under you belt, and have strengthened your goal-achieving muscles, you can work on multiple goals at the same time.

Often the most difficult part in achieving goals is simply getting started. The best quick-start advice I can give is once you have set a goal, make sure you do something toward achieving it before your head hits the pillow that night. Never let the day end without taking at least one small step toward your goal. In this way, you break out of the inactive place most people get stuck in, and you begin to build momentum right away. Then the next steps begin to appear more doable.

Once you get started, it's important to have a clear idea of how to get from here to there. Without a clear and specific direction, it's easy to get lost along the way. Most goals require a series of steps, or mini-goals. By writing them down, you are creating a map. It should look like this: I'm here, I want to be there, the steps are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.

If you don't get anything else from these ideas, get this: Goals are not something you work on and accomplish, only to quit doing all the things that got you where you want to be. Goals are what you pass through on your way to making your life better.

Many times we have an idea of what to do, or even know exactly what to do, we just don't do it. Here's a story that illustrates this point.

A wealthy man was nearing his retirement and looking forward to traveling, playing golf and spending time with his grandchildren. His only problem was that he did not have any grandchildren. He invited his four grown and married children to dinner and announced before eating, "As you know, I'll be retiring very soon. I've set some goals for myself: traveling, playing golf and spending lots of time with my grandchildren. The only problem, as you know, is that I have no grandchildren. So, I have established a $1million trust fund that I will give to the couple who gives me my first grandchild. Now, let's bow our heads and bless our food."

When the man looked up from the blessing, the room was empty.

The point is, there is the gathering of information, and then there is using the information.

Go use this stuff.

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.

My goal: Don’t speed for 1000 miles
Sierra Sun, CA - 19 hours ago
Outlandish goal setting has become part of the American personality, a trait we learn about each Olympics. Each television profile detailed the athlete’s ...

Goals will set you up for success
Bolingbrook Sun, IL - Aug 29, 2008
Whatever it is you are striving to accomplish athletically, personally or academically, strategic goal setting can help get you there. ...

Women’s Soccer: Golden Goal Sinks WVU In 2OT
West Virginia University Mountaineers, WV - 13 hours ago
“It was a questionable call but it doesn’t really matter,” said Izzo-Brown of the obstruction call, setting up the first SC goal. ...

Chaplain's goal is to lead jail inmates away from crime
Ventura County Star, CA - 8 hours ago
Despite the bleak setting — a 20-foot-high concrete wall topped with spirals of barbed wire stood behind them — the inmates seemed eager to seek the peace ...

Business Goal Setting – 7 Tips
Corsavoo.com, France - Aug 25, 2008
When a business owner learns how to efficiently delegate tasks, overall results are much better. This is especially true when a small business owner feels ...

Interview: Andy Hertzfeld
OS News - 18 hours ago
He's not a technical person, so his main contribution was setting the goal, setting a very high goal, and then being really passionate about exceeding the ...

Office Politics: Is goal setting holding you back?
Nova Scotia Business Journal, Canada - Aug 21, 2008
The truth is, the traditional goal-setting method is no longer effective, even though most teachers, books, trainers, coaches and schools are still teaching ...

NJCU Athletics
Cristhian Acuna
NJCU Athletics, NJ - 12 hours ago
Ramapo College): Scored his eighth goal of the season which extended NJCU’s lead to 2-0 at 41:42 and added an assist to move into second place in school ...

Washington Post
SMITH GETS PICKED Demoted quarterback throws two interceptions in ...
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 9 hours ago
The Chargers pulled it out with a costly muffed punt by Robert Ortiz setting up the visitors deep in 49er territory. Third-string quarterback Charlie ...
49ers/Chargers Game Action SF49ers.com
Preseason Takes: 49ers vs. Chargers Seahawks.net
all 148 news articles

Los Angeles Times
Fear, stress among the poor hinder learning
Los Angeles Times, CA - 13 hours ago
To offset learned helplessness and develop a sense of control, Jensen advised students to learn time-management skills and goal setting -- and reward small ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Intense Desire: Rocket Fuel When You Set Goals!