You may not see it all clearly yet. That’s ok. Write what you know to be true. Allow rest to reveal itself in time. It will. You’ve already done a lot of hard work in life. Set aside time to envision and experience feeling of being inspired. This is vision that will connect you to “right goals” for this time in your life as well as allow your values to take center stage.

SET CLEAR GOALS

Now you can start to think about your goals. Take your vision and break it down paragraph by paragraph. What do you need to accomplish in order to fulfill vision? Write it as specific results or outcomes you want. Use “to be” statements rather than ‘to do” statements. For example:

Instead of: Get a new job…….write: To be a technical writer in a mid-sized company by January 1, 2005 making $45,000 per year.

Instead of: Lose weight…..write: To be confident and comfortable in my new suit by November, 2004.

Use SMART test to assess your goals…Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timebound. The more specific, measurable, and time bound you are, more you will be motivated to do what it takes. And, of course, be realistic and set attainable (but stretch!) goals. Some things simply have limits. You can’t lose 30 lbs in a week or change careers in a few days.

ARE THESE THE RIGHT GOALS FOR ME? A SELF TEST:

So, how will you know when you’ve written goals from inside-out? Here are a couple of ways to check …be honest….this is just between you and your piece of paper!

1.Are you ENERGIZED by them? When you think about achieving them are you excited? Do you feel like you can’t wait to get started?

2.Do you feel PASSIONATE about them? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen?

3.Do goals, if achieved, give you ability to share who you are as a person? Do they bring your unique talents and gifts to forefront? Do you experience joy when working on them?

The right goals for you should simply “click”. You’ll know they are right because they compel you to act. If not…examine if goal is a ‘should’ –an ‘outside-in’ goal set based on external standards of who you should be? This kind of goal will not give lasting sense of fulfillment. It will become a drain that requires grit and discipline without energizing commitment needed to make it happen. If it doesn’t feel right to you be willing to let it go or to reframe it to something internally motivating. The right goals start to feel effortless (not easy, mind you). Have fun! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Stop Struggling...Start Succeeding! For more information on Coaching and Development programs contact Shawn Driscoll at 248 321-8390 or email Shawn@succeedcoaching.com

I learned that from a famous psychologist. If you did something he liked, psychologist would tell you what a smart person you are. If you did something he didn't like, he would simply sit quietly. After a while you only did things he liked, things you got complimented for.

If person does almost all job right, but misses a few things, let him know about it nicely. Use Oreo cookie method. First tell him what he did right, then mention few things that need to be corrected, then leave by again telling him how he is doing a good job.

Step three. Group things together for people. Before my kids leave for school I say "Don't forget to make your bed, take your lunch with you, and mow grass when you get home." Batch together a few changes or tasks when you see people that work for you. It works better than shooting isolated orders to them one at a time. It is easier for people to stay organized.

Step four. Finally, make your harassing fun. Nobody likes to do a job that is boring or, worse, makes them feel bad. Keep a smile on your face and a light tone in your voice. When something goes really wrong, change your tone so people understand this is more serious.

Try to keep those two tones separate so people don't get confused.

Work on being woman or man who keeps things fun while all important details are getting taken care of. At end of day, that is what separates so-so managers from those who can turn out a fine product or service and keep loads of happy customers coming back.