Article Title: How to Set and Achieve Realistic and Effective Goals (Part One Updated) Author Name: Craig Lock Line Space: 65 characters Category (key words): Self Help, Personal Growth, Motivation, Goalsetting Web Site: http://www.craiglock.com/books.html Articles by Craig Lock: http://www.bridgeniche.com/clockarticles/index.html Publishing Guidelines: We hope that
following article (an extract from Craig's first published book HANDBOOK TO SURVIVE) may be informative and helpful to your e-zine readers, or on your web site. This article may be freely reproduced electronically or in print. If it helps others "out there", then we're very happy."We share what we know, so that others may grow." * HOW TO SET AND ACHIEVE REALISTIC AND EFFECTIVE GOALS (PART ONE)
by Craig Lock
Oh no, not another article on goalsetting!
Author's Note: This extract is from Craig's first published book HANDBOOK TO SURVIVE - a collection of writings on various subjects to help every man or woman survive in a rapidly changing, uncertain world. An introductory look at concepts of success, motivation, attitude, goal setting and stress. *
It's well past half-way through year already and have you put all your January 1 2004 goals (business and personal) into ACTION, or were they just New Years resolutions - merely WISHES? Or perhaps just distant, long-forgotten memories in deep recesses of your mind! No matter, now is a good time of year to reflect on life, our family's lives, our journey - where we've come from and where we are headed. Who knows!
'There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, knowledge of what one wants and a burning desire to possess it.' - Napoleon Hill (author of classic book, 'Think and Grow Rich')
'Nothing happens, no forward steps are taken until a goal is established.' - David J. Schwarz (author of 'The Magic of Thinking Big '- an excellent book by way!)
' Your life is controlled by your thoughts. Your thoughts are controlled by your goals.' - Earl Nightingale
' When we have no personal goal which we are interested in, and which means something to us, we are apt to go round in circles.' - psychologist Maxwell Maltz
'The key to peak performance is not potential or skill, but motivation and dedication....having clear performance goals and putting in training effort to achieve them.' - Dr Sven Hansen '
I would like to repeat critical importance of committing your plan to writing. It cannot be over- emphasised!' - Paul J. Meyer of Success Motivation Institute
'Learn how to set your goals: a. Write down your goals b. Give yourself a deadline c. Set your standards high.' - Napoleon Hill and W. Clement Stone (co-authors)
UNDERSTANDING GOALS Setting goals is first step towards ACTION. They get you into motion. The energy of motivation should be harnessed by being transformed into clear goals and a clear PLAN to achieve them. Goals are dreams which come true ....and they are far easier to achieve once they are focussed. Goals therefore help to fulfil one's PURPOSE in life by giving expression to your core inner values, 'real YOU'. Psychologists have found that helping people to develop personal goals has proved to be most effective way to help them cope with personal problems by:
1. Crystallising one's purpose in life - through adding meaning . 2. Helping make difficult decisions. 3. Giving direction to your life and keeping you on track by concentration. 4. Resolving conflict 5. Building confidence and 6. Adding to your self respect (or sense of value = self worth)
The power of imagination in goal setting comes from having BIG HOPES AND DREAMS. I believe too often we underestimate our capabilities. Use amazing power of your CREATIVE IMAGINATION to think what you REALLY WANT OUT OF LIFE.. Then visualise your dreams actually coming to pass.
