If you want to make your dreams a reality, the first step is to master the goal setting process.
We have found that one of the best processes for setting goals is to write them out in affirmative statements. Once you are clear on what it is that you want to achieve, write out your goals for each of the different areas of your life.
The secret is to write out your goals in an active verb format, such as “I am” or “I active verb.” For example: “I earn $250,000 (in a year) with ease.” Or “I am divinely healthy.”
Insight on Setting and Achieving Your Goals
Each year, I talk with thousands of entrepreneurs, advisors, and consultants. I have discovered that there is a direct connection between how they spend their time and how much income they earn. Top producers write out their goals and make sure to spend the majority of their time completing important, critical activities in order to support those goals. I refer to these activities as HVAs (high-value activities). Their less successful counterparts spend most of their time completing LVAs (low-value activities) and NVAs (non-value activities). LVAs are activities that should be delegated, and NVAs are best eliminated. Successful entrepreneurs and advisors are also masters at completing HVAs and IPAs (income producing activities).
Successful people who also have amazing lives (including optimal health and great relationships) focus on HVAs in all areas of life, not just when it pertains to money. Examples may include family, career, spiritual, health, personal, finances, relationships, and charity. They set goals that are supported by their daily activities and then make completing them a priority. They are laser focused and do everything within their power to accomplish both the high value activities and the income producing tasks each day. Unlike their less-successful counterparts, they do not allow excuses or low-value activities to get in the way of their objective.
Mastering this skill requires commitment and focus, but it is one of the most important skills needed to complete the journey to your next level.
If you have not set goals or are not achieving your desired result, this Goal Setting process will help:
1. Decide
Before you can achieve anything, you need to know what you want! A great way to begin is to sit in a quiet, undisturbed location and identify two to four goals you want to achieve. Imagine what your life would be like if you achieve them. A great exercise to determine what you want is to ‘Reverse Journal.’ This is a writing process I share in my book, The 7 Principles of Becoming a Millionaire for Life, Powerful Lessons to Create Wealth, Health, & Happiness. Contained under “Releasing Mental Blocks and Core Beliefs” is an exercise that consists in part of writing out a question with your dominant hand and then answering it with your non-dominant hand.
For example, if you are right handed, write out: What do I want to achieve next year? Then with your non-dominant hand (which in this case would be your left hand) write down whatever answer comes to you. Initially your answers will be logical. As you continue to write, you will peel away the layers and get to the core. You will also find that additional questions will surface. Continue writing out questions and answering them until the answer to your question surfaces.
2. Set Your Goal and High Value Activities
Experts agree that writing down your goal is critical to achieving it. Some experts believe that writing your goal down is critical because it activates a part of your brain called the ‘Reticular Activity Center.’ When the ‘RAC’ is activated, it draws you toward your goal. Before you activate this center of your brain, it is easy to get distracted by pebbles. Once it’s been activated, not even a boulder can deter you!
The best process for achieving goals is to program them into your subconscious mind. This can be done with visualization, repetition, and affirmations. Writing goals in “I am” or “I active verb” format is also an effective tool. Once you identify and write out your affirmative goal, identify one or two HVAs (high value activities) that you need to consistently complete to achieve the goal. These activities are action commitments and also include IPAs (income producing activities).
For example:
I earn $250,000 (in year).
HVAs (high value activities):
I make warm calls to my ideal prospects each day from 9-11 AM.
I speak to one group in my target market each month.
Goal:
I am divinely healthy.
HVAs (high value activities):
I exercise from 6-7 AM each morning.
I drink a green plant-based protein shake each morning.
3. Identify Consequences
Once you commit to your goal and write it down, identify a consequence for achieving it (a positive) and one for not achieving it (a negative), depending on what will motivate you to consistently complete the task. While some people judge (positive or negative) as better, that is not the point. Your only concern is to determine which one motivates you to action so you can achieve your goal.
For example, would you be more motivated to complete your warm calls if you knew you were going to get a $500 bonus, or if you knew you had to write a $500 check to a political organization you despise?
4. Add in the Fun
Too often, we get so intent on achieving our goals that we forget to have fun. This may include a walk, movie, reading a book, or going on a short get-a-way. The activity isn’t as important as choosing an activity that you enjoy and that ideally calms and rejuvenates you. Once you get clear on what you want and take the necessary steps to achieve it, you are ready to add in the fun!
If you want more insight on goal setting, access our step-by-step guide here:
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