As it is the start of a New Year it’s appropriate to think about goal setting. It’s been said that achieving goals is not a problem - it’s setting goals that is the problem. People just can't seem to getting around to doing it. Many folks spend more time planning a two-week vacation than planning their business or personal lives.

Why? The answer is obvious - vacations are fun. Goal setting isn't. So what can we do to put the fun into goal setting?

How about taking some new approaches, like looking backward to the beginning? Projecting yourself into the future? Pretending you are someone else? Creating your own storyboard as if you were mapping out the hit movie of your life?

Here are a few techniques that should make it easier and more fun to set goals, both in your business life and your personal life, and learn a little more about yourself in the process:

1. Jot down a quick list of your values. Decide what’s really important to you and your business. This will tell you the areas you are comfortable with and what needs to be changed.

2. Begin with the end in mind. Decide on what your business will look and act like when it’s matured. Start planning for it to look and act that way now. Do you need to upgrade your equipment? Now is a good time to buy, especially if you pick up a Y2-K compatible computer. Do you want to learn more about computer skills, historic homes, buyer's agency? Sign up for those classes and start working your way toward becoming expert in what interests you most. Is it time to hire that assistant? Start writing your ad. Place it in the classifieds.

3. Project yourself into the future . Walk, talk and act as though you are already experiencing the success you seek. What you need will come to you naturally through the power of the subconscious mind. You know the old story - clothes make the man, er, uh, woman. Strut your stuff at your new level of success.

4. Write down 10 things that you want this year. When you do this you begin to create images in your mind. Imagine yourself using these items. Going to these places. Talking with the people you want to meet.

5. Create your own storyboard. Make a collage of the goals that excite you, hang it on your wall, and as you look at this every day, know that these goals will soon be yours.

6. Decide what three things you want to achieve before you die. Then work backward, listing three things you want in this year, this month, this week, and finally, the three most important things you want to accomplish today.

7. Ask yourself " how" questions. Instead of wishing for your goals to come true, ask yourself how you can make them come true.

8. Focus on one project at a time. One of the most common mistakes is working on too many things at once. Every completed project brings a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of competence and confidence. Build on those positive feelings to give you the momentum to help you reach your goals.

9. Pretend you are a reporter. Write an article about yourself as though you have already achieved the success that you seek.

10. Meditate. As you get into bed each night, create clear images of your goals in your mind. Pat yourself on the back for the progress you have made.

Published: February 2, 1999

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