“If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”

–Zig Ziglar

Every year on December 1st, I take the month to go through my journal to review and reflect on the past year.   No, I don’t review and reflect the whole month, I don’t have that kind of attention span. There’s definitely some retail therapy thrown in there and time with family and friends. This year is different as I am in the process of finishng projects that I didn’t get done last year–like my book. I am also writing and planning a continuity program that starts in January.

I do love this time, though. My reflection time includes looking at what was great about the last year, what was not so great, what goals I achieved…or not. Then I spend time dreaming about what I want the next year to look like.  When I have that picture, I write down goals to get what I desire. Many times, it’s just revamping or re-dating those goals I didn’t quite accomplish. Sometimes, I see a whole new vision within my purpose.

Join me in imagining your 2019 and executing a plan to get closer to the life for which you yearn. My whole desire in writing these emails is to help us develop our leadership ability, especially leadership of self.  I am delightfully amazed at how something so simple has transformed my life and relationships, and I can see that for you, too.  AND I truly desire for you to be able to accomplish ALL of your dreams and goals. 

This plan I am giving you is not going to be difficult. It’s meant to get you started.

Step 1—Get away by yourself. After you’ve turned off your cell phone and your technology notification beeps, close your eyes. Really think about what you want your life to look like? Who do you want to become? What do you want your relationships to look like? How much money do you want to make? How is your health?  Could that use improvement?  If you could not fail, what would you attempt?  What does your spiritual life look like? These are just a few questions to get your own brain thinking.

Step 2—Write down a simple sentence or affirmation describing the picture in your head of the aspirations that you have decided upon. One of my affirmations is “Loving, patient, creative, persistent and disciplined are the qualities that describe me.” (okay, stop laughing. I said to imagine who you want to become:)  Write them in the present tense, like you have already achieved them. Your brain is a goal-seeking mechanism—it wants to do what you tell it.

Step 3—Attach a date to your potential achievement of that goal. When do you want to achieve millionaire status?  When do you want to pay of that credit card?  When do you want to be 10 pounds lighter? It is difficult to put a date on becoming patient or disciplined because “becoming” is a process and unfortunately it doesn’t happen overnight. I wish I could tell you differently.

Step 4—Write every one of your affirmations on two 3 X 5 cards. Keep one card by your bed and the other in a place where you will check it in the daytime.  Read them twice a day. I found this to be important for me, especially in the area of developing personal characteristics. Reading them aloud, reminds me of the direction I am  moving toward. It helps prevent the “Squirrel!” distractions that may take me off of my chosen path onto a squirrel trail.

Step 5—Plan backward from the end goal to break it down into bite-size pieces that are attainable.  For example, if you have a weight loss goal that you want to achieve in 6 months, how much do you need to lose per month? Break that down into daily tasks that are doable.  Do that for each one of your goals.  Put those goals somewhere, in your calendar or in your phone, so you can track them.

Step 6—Just get started. This step includes telling someone you trust that will cheer you on.

TADAH! You did it!  It wasn’t that hard, was it?

Let me inform you of a couple of pitfalls surrounding goal setting that I have experienced. I never have all the answers to this question “how do I get there?”  I decided not to let that stop me.  Just getting started gives me more ideas on how to proceed.

I had to stop fearing failure—goal setting is a learnable skill. I didn’t jump on a bike the first time and succeed.  Even if I fail, I will be closer to what I want. If I don’t hit a target, I reflect on what caused it, re-set and/or re-define the goal and move forward.  It’s a learning process.

What if I succeed? That used to scare me, too. If we have the idea, if the dream is ours, we are fully resourced to achieve the goal. I don’t believe God gives us a dream or idea that is legal, moral and ethical and then doesn’t give us the ability to achieve it.

Setting a goal is really about changing ourselves for the long-term. Jim Rohn quotes, “The ultimate reason for setting goals is to entice you to become the person it takes to achieve them.” So, go ahead,  show the world who you want to become or what you want to achieve. You are so worthy of whatever it is you desire to have or become.

If you need assistance, I am just an email or phone call away.

Go for it!

Jan

Jan McDonald
The John Maxwell Team