Answer this question for yourself right now: Are you happy and attaining the things you’ve envisioned for your business and life? If so, congratulations, you’re doing something right – if not keep reading.

There are certainly many factors and circumstances that determine whether you get what you want out of life or not. Some of them you don’t have control over, some of them you do.

Goal setting – more specifically, learning HOW to reach your goals can be the most useful skill you can learn in order to maximize what you cancontrol and get what you want.

Goal setting is simply an organized and intentional personal planning process.

This is the definition of a goal:

The purpose toward which an endeavor is directed.

Here’s yet another way of saying that: Goals are the objectives you are moving toward achieving. Having defined goals will be essential to setting direction and providing a focus point for you to follow as you are building your business. A friend of mine often says, “If you don’t set goals, you probably won’t reach them”.

It’s important to understand the difference between making decisions and setting goals. Making decisions is where you start, but making a decision is not the same as setting a goal. Setting goals is putting action to your decisions. And action is the only way I know to get things done.

Outcome vs. Action
There are two types of goals – outcome goals and action goals. An outcome goal is an objective that is focused on accomplishing a specific task, such as earning a certain amount of money each year. Action goals are objectives that are focused on your commitment to take a certain action each day, such as showing up to work at 8:30.

Both types of goals are important, and it’s imperative that you combine both outcome and activity based objectives in your planning. Your outcome goals will compel you to shoot for the stars, and will help you clearly define what you want to achieve. Activity based goals will allow you to feel a sense of accomplishment each day, and condition successful patterns of behavior.

Goal Anatomy
When setting goals it’s important for them to be specific, measurable, attainable and in alignment with your values. This is where it can get tricky. You’ll want to find a mindful balance between setting realistic goals you know are achievable, yet not letting fear limit or stifle unlimited possibility.

Call To Action Activity
Commit to not only setting a goal today but following through with creating the action plan necessary to achieve it. Start by writing down what you want. Next, list all the tasks you need to accomplish to meet that goal. Be sure to include the timeline you intend to follow.

In addition include any resources needed to accomplish the task. Finally, write a short narrative on WHY you want to reach the goal, what benefit will it provide you? And, how is reaching this goal consistent with your values and overall vision for your life?

This process works ONLY if you do it rather than just think about it. I challenge you – learn the rules of goal setting, take action today and I guarantee, you will get what you want.

It’s YOUR life… imagine the possibilities!
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Helaine Iris is a Life and Business Coach, who has been featured in numerous publications, including “O” The Oprah Magazine. She helps entrepreneurs and professionals accelerate their success, while achieving a more complete and fulfilling personal life. She combines a broad range of professional experience in her work, including management positions in the education, training, retail and international non-profit sectors. For a free consultation, contact her at 603-363.4252 to discuss how she can help you accelerate your own success. You may also visit her website, www.pathofpurpose.com, for additional information, or email your questions to helaine@pathofpurpose.com.