Whether or not you make New Year’s resolutions, this strategy will help you to accomplish the things that are most important to you. If you find these strategies of value, I hope you will continue to forward them to your friends.

This lesson is on Strategy #4. If you did not receive the first three strategies, you can view them by clicking on links at the end of the lesson.

Set Powerful Goals!

Although successful people are visionaries and intentional dreamers, they are also stable and goal-oriented. As Harvey Mackay cited, “A goal is a dream with a deadline.” Successful people have written goals. They communicate their goals, visualize the results, and reward themselves and others for the accomplishment of milestones.

The following tips will help you to set and achieve powerful goals:

1. Before setting a goal, think about what you really want in your life. Many of us set goals to do what we think we should do; however, we do not want the results enough to remain committed to the goal.
   
2. Ask yourself if your goal is in alignment with your priorities in life. When a person’s goals and priorities are not in alignment, a sense of being overwhelmed, or inertia, can stand in the way of accomplishing the goals.
   
3. Ensure that your goal is realistic and achievable. Many people give up on trying to reach their goal, because they were hoping to achieve the impossible when they set the goal. However, it is also important to engage in possibility thinking and to realize that you are capable of achieving what others might consider impossible. Give your goal some “stretch.”
   
4. Clearly state your goal by describing your desired results exactly as you wish them to be. State the goal in terms of what will be accomplished and when it will be accomplished.
   
5. Ensure that your goal is measurable by asking yourself how you will know whether you have achieved this goal.
   
6. Write your goal on paper, and keep this piece of paper in a place where you can look at it every day. Fewer than three percent of all adults have written goals, and research shows that people with written goals are more likely to achieve them.
   
7. Make a commitment to yourself to reach the goal, ensuring that you understand the effort that will be involved in doing this.
   
8. Visualize the end result. Close your eyes, and create a mental movie of how the end result will look. In this mental movie, visualize yourself enjoying these results. Repeat this visualization daily, picturing yourself as if you have already achieved your goal.
   
9. Describe the benefits of your goal. Do this on paper, so that you can read the benefits whenever you might struggle with doing the things needed to reach the goal.
   
10. Establish milestones as mini-goals, and write them down as well. It is easier to work on one small step at a time than on a big goal.
    
11. Develop and implement an action plan. Determine the steps that you will take in order to achieve your goal, and write these down.
    
12. Communicate your goal to supportive people who might be able to contribute to its achievement, either through direct efforts or through encouragement.
    
13. Reward yourself as you reach milestones along the way to achieving your goal. By giving recognition to ourselves for our accomplishments, we expand our enthusiasm and energy to accomplish more.
    
14. Remain flexible. Although you will set a date for accomplishing your goal, there could be an emergency situation that you need to handle en route. When taking care of this situation is a higher priority than the goal, allow yourself to adjust your schedule for accomplishing the goal. Also, as you achieve your goals, you may change direction and will, of course, set new goals for yourself.
    
15. If you make a mistake, give yourself permission to start again. We are all in a constant process of growth and development. We can use our mistakes as learning opportunities and become even stronger than we had been previously.

Your goals, integrated with your dreams, will enhance your success, both in your business and in your personal life.

© 2004 Joan Eleanor Gustafson, Success and Leadership Dynamics

Although this e-course lesson is copyrighted, we encourage you to forward an unaltered version of it to your friends, with the above copyright.

The next lesson in this e-course will be "Ready – Aim – Take Action!"

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In my 26 years at 3M, I had the opportunity to engage in countless professional and personal growth activities, which contributed to the phenomenal success I have enjoyed in my career and in my life. Because of this experience, I want to share information with you on some of the best resources I have found for professional and personal growth. I have three recommendations this month:

Brand New Audiobook – A Woman Can Do That! 10 Strategies for Creating Success in Your Life

This audiobook is not for women only! If you truly want to be more successful in 2005, this book is for you. Based on the ten strategies from this e-Course, it contains much more information in the form of examples and action steps. The audiobook, which is recorded on five CDs, contains about five hours and 34 minutes of listening.

The audiobook will sell in the bookstores for $34.95; however, for a limited time, it is available at http://leaderdynamics.com/order.html for only $29.95. AND when you order the audiobook, you will receive the “paper” copy of the book FREE. As always, shipping and handling are free.

The formula for success really works! For more information, click on http://leaderdynamics.com/order.html.

Power of Positive Aerobics
One of your 2005 goals might be to have a fitter, healthier body. A fun, motivational exercise video, Power of Positive Aerobics, works the mind, body and spirit by having participants say positive affirmations while working out. By following this new technique, participants are guaranteed to see their bodies get stronger and increase their confidence to help them reach their goals and dreams. More information is available at http://powerpositiveworkouts.com/productcatalog.html.

Unlimited Futures

Several years ago, I participated in a course with Dr. Bobbie Stevens and Dr. Dean Portinga of Unlimited Futures. This course contributed greatly to my success, both personally and in business. Dr. Stevens has now written an e-book about the life stories of some of the people who have worked with the Unlimited Futures process. My story is included, and I would like to give you a complimentary copy of this book in appreciation for your support. I think you will enjoy it and find it very beneficial. Just go to their web site www.unlimitedfutures.org, click on “contact us,” and request a copy of the e-book Unlimited Futures Discovered, compliments of Joan Gustafson.

Dr. Stevens and Dr. Portinga will be holding their Unlimited Futures Personal Growth and Development program throughout 2005. The course consists of two, four-day weekend retreats and is designed to release stress, change beliefs and discover the power you have within yourself. For more information about the course, click on http://unlimitedfutures.org/PersonalGrowthProgram.html, .

I wish you much success!

Joan Eleanor Gustafson

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