The Top 10 Secrets to Achieving Any Goal


We all have goals that are important to us. They range from quitting smoking, to creating our own businesses, to raising great kids. Unfortunately, most of us also have the experience of being unable to reach our goals, of having them always seem just out of reach. We can see them. We want to complete them, but we never quite cross that finish line. Here are 10 steps that are almost like magic! They will help you reach your goals, every time!

1. Precisely define the objective. Exactly what do you want? Measure it, put a number on it. How many pounds do you want to lose? How many dollars do you want to earn? No one can achieve a fuzzy goal. Be precise.

2. Align the objective with your values. You won't work toward a goal that conflicts with your values or sense of purpose. Make sure your goals are consistent with your religious and moral beliefs, and with other goals that you have. Internal conflict will undermine your performance, every time!

3. Develop appropriate affirmations. A series of positive, powerful, present-tense statements that describe the benefits of having your goal and how you'll feel when you've reached it are essential. They should be short, active, exciting, and you will need to write them down and repeat them many times, every day!

4. Develop powerful reasons to achieve your goals. "If you have enough why's, you'll find a way." We reach goals that excite us, that stimulate our imaginations. We reach goals that are vital to our health, our family and our future. Find lots of reasons! When it's important enough, you'll make it happen.

5. Write your goals and your reasons down! Write them on file cards every day! There is power, magic and mystery in writing your goals down. Put the cards where you'll see them through the day. Put them on your mirror, or on your desk. Carry them with you and read them, over and over, through the day.

6. Set a deadline. Again, have the courage to be exact. Quit smoking by your birthday, double your income by the end of this year, get out of debt by September 1st. A goal without a deadline is just a pipe dream! Give yourself the discipline of a date.

7. Define intermediate targets. To lose 40 pounds in 4 months, determine to lose 10 pounds EACH month. Having smaller goals makes each one easier to achieve, and you can track your progress to your larger goal. A journey of a thousand miles is just a series of steps, one after another.

8. Make your goals public. Tell friends and family what you plan to do, and your target date. Ask them to hold you accountable and to help you along the way. Knowing your friends are rooting for you is a powerful motivator. Set yourself up for success by making a public commitment to reach your goals on time.

9. Get a partner. High achievers rarely do anything significant by themselves. Get a running partner, make a friendly bet with your spouse to quit smoking, make it a family project to get out of debt. Always have at least one person who totally supports you, and make sure they are part of your campaign. Hire a coach, if appropriate.

10. Celebrate every intermediate victory! Give yourself a reward for each day without a cigarette, have a family celebration for each bill that gets paid off. High achievers find reasons to celebrate every day! Like that journey of a thousand miles, you must celebrate ? really celebrate! ? each step along the way.

Remember, "if you can imagine it, you can achieve it." Any goal that truly fires your imagination and fills your heart with joy, is reachable! Set targets, develop an adequate support system, break large goals into smaller steps, and go for it! You can do this!

Here's to your success!

© Copyright 2003 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved. This article may be copied and used in your own newsletter or on your website as long as you include the following information: "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com







Related News



Briefs: Luncheon, fashion show - Arizona Republic

Briefs: Luncheon, fashion show
Arizona Republic, AZ -6 hours ago
Topics include goal setting, checking and saving, cash flow, insurance and homeownership and taxes. Classes begin Oct. 21. ...

Caterpillar Inc. Sets New Aggressive Greenhouse Gas Emissions ... - PR-CANADA.net (press release)

Caterpillar Inc. Sets New Aggressive Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...
PR-CANADA.net (press release), Montenegro -5 hours ago
The company has committed to the reduction goal as part of the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Climate Leaders program, which Caterpillar ...

Why "Goal Setting" Makes You Cringe - Lifehacker

Why "Goal Setting" Makes You Cringe
Lifehacker, CA -Sep 26, 2008
That's what goal setting is, and that's why if you want to get anywhere you want to go, you've got to do the same thing. However, the problem with ...

Turner Construction Company Establishes Aggressive Greenhouse Gas ... - MarketWatch

Turner Construction Company Establishes Aggressive Greenhouse Gas ...
MarketWatch -10 hours ago
Partner companies commit to reducing their impact on the global environment by completing an inventory of their greenhouse gas emissions, setting aggressive ...

Nut Program Teaches Basic Business Skills - Jakson Time

Nut Program Teaches Basic Business Skills
Jakson Time, NJ -6 hours ago
The program builds leadership financial and literacy skills with girls actively making discoveries and decisions about marketing, budgeting and goal setting...

RSL ties Red Bulls in 'royal' setting - Soccer America

FC Dallas

RSL ties Red Bulls in 'royal' setting
Soccer America -15 hours ago
New York's Dave van den Bergh took the honor of scoring the stadium's first goal when he rifled in a partial clearance from a corner kick in the 31st minute ...
Olave Scores Equalizing Goal For Real Salt Lake Vs. New YorkAHN
Real Salt Lake opens new stadium with 1-1 tie with New York Red BullsThe Canadian Press
Real Salt Lake open stadium with drawFC Dallas
all 114 news articles

Mam’k Schools Set Specific Goals For Student Learning - Larchmont Gazette

Mam’k Schools Set Specific Goals For Student Learning
Larchmont Gazette, NY -Oct 9, 2008
by Joan R. Simon (October 9, 2008) The Mamaroneck School Board has been working on goal-setting ever since Dr. Paul Fried arrived as superintendent four ...

Ilya Kovalchuk ready to win with Thrashers - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Ilya Kovalchuk ready to win with Thrashers
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA -Oct 9, 2008
The theory that you can revamp an offense by adding defensemen and setting them loose to join the rush could meet a stiff test. ...

Prep spotlight: Volleyball: Dearing lifts Plains over Athens - The State Journal-Register

Prep spotlight: Volleyball: Dearing lifts Plains over Athens
The State Journal-Register, IL -21 hours ago
Armbruster’s first goal was unassisted. George Kennett set up the second goal, setting the Lincoln record for career assists with 17. ...


Spotlight on Education : Goal setting is important for middle ... - Rogers Hometown News

Spotlight on Education : Goal setting is important for middle ...
Rogers Hometown News, AR -Oct 2, 2008
I always knew that I wanted to be an educator, but I would not necessarily say that it began as a goal. It was more of a wish or a desire. ...