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| Turning Dreams Into Goals |
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How are you doing on realizing the dreams of your life? You must turn your dreams into specific goals if they are to come true. But all too often many people fail to follow through with their plans because of incorrect goal setting. See if any of these tips will help you to set goals that will help you achieve all you want in your career and life.
The first thing that gives your goals more of a chance of being successful is to write them down. “Ink it, don’t think it!” is what many people say on the subject. Conscious and deliberate writing of goals greatly increases the likelihood of achieving them. Be sure to keep them someplace where you will see them every day. This is a very important step toward success in achieving your goals.
After determining your goals, you must make an action plan. Exactly what steps are you going to take to reach them? For instance, if one of your goals is to get more organized, where are you going to start? With your files, with your piles of stuff or somewhere else? Transfer the steps in making your goals happen to your ‘to do’ list.
Don’t make the mistake of putting a giant task on your list, however. Be sure to break it down into manageable parts. If you want to work on your files, don’t say “organize files.” List which drawer you want to start with or which files. The smaller the task is broken down, the better chance you have to accomplish it.
Now think of what barriers you may encounter in search of your goals. Then list ways that you will overcome them. To exercise more might be one of your goals. After you have listed exactly how many times a week and what you are going to do in the way of exercise, list things that will keep you from doing it.
Feeling lazy is one that comes to my mind. How can you overcome those feelings? Maybe get an exercise “buddy” to talk you into exercising when you don’t feel like it?
Or, if you’re feeling depressed because of too many rejections, call a friend to help you get back on track. Achieving your goals is never easy. You must think about your possible roadblocks and how you will overcome them.
One of the biggest enemies to your achieving your goals is procrastination. When you break your goals down into small tasks, you have made the first step in avoiding procrastination.
Another step is to apply the “five minute rule.” Promise yourself that you will work on the designated ‘to do’ for five minutes. That’s all. After five minutes you get to decide if you want to continue with that task or quit. It’s amazing how often you will continue to work at something after you have started. I use this when prospecting for new clients.
Goals must be timed. You must have a definite timeline for completing your goal. It’s also a good idea to break this one down into smaller time frames. A good example is the typical loss of weight. Don’t set a goal to lose 20 pounds in two months. That would not likely be a healthy, attainable goal. Instead, try to set weekly goals of one to two pounds per week for a period of 10 to 12 weeks. You will more likely stick to your goal plan that way.
Goals must be measurable. How will you know when you have succeeded in becoming “organized” for instance? What would “success” in the real estate profession look like? Decide what success will look like, or feel like. Then when you reach it celebrate like crazy!
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