The Total Makeover

Jump Start The New Year!

Every year around this time we set in our mind that when the New Year arrives we will change our bad habits or turn over a new leaf.  If we stop to think about it, this rarely works.  We start the New Year with the best of intentions only to let things slip by the end of the first month. 

This year take a different approach and start making changes today.  Start early and work your plan into the New Year.  You'll gain excitement and momentum knowing that you've gained a head start on the New Year. 

Take a moment and write down three areas of your life you want to change or improve.  Put together plans that will help you get started.  If you need help putting together a goal plan, check out my post on Creating Effective Goals.

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How to Achieve Your Goal Without Fail

I came across this article and thought it was worth sharing. I hope you enjoy!

How many times have you set a goal and not followed through? Chances are you had a missing element in planning your goal(s). What if there was a formula-type checklist that would keep you from failing any goals. What if you had a way to know – without doubt – that you were going to succeed – before you ever got started…

Now you can.

Your goals are nothing more than a wish list – until you add four things to them.

Take losing weight as an example.

There are four things with losing weight that you must know before you take the plunge to actually lose weight. There shouldn't be a decision made about a goal without having four things attached to each goal.

A successful goal has to have 4 things.

1. The goal has to be specific.
2. The goal has to be measurable.
3. The goal must have a time limit.
4. The goal has to be your goal. It cannot be something someone wants you to do. It has to be something YOU want from yourself.

 

Now back to weightloss.

If you set a goal to 'lose some weight', you will probably end up weighing more than you did before your goal. Why? Look at 1-4 above.

Now if you set a goal to lose (1) thirty pounds by (3) March 31^st and (2) lose 3 inches in your waist while (2) decreasing your body fat by 10 percent, then you're MUCH more likely to see that goal to the end – especially if (4) it's YOUR decision and desire.

This type of goal set up works with just about every goal you could think of. Next time you decide to set a goal, pull out this checklist and make sure you accomplish your goal – without fail!

 

Spring Time

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"  ~Robin Williams

It is time to pick ourselves up and move towards the positive things in life. Don't let the past dictate your future! If you have made a few bad turns in life it's time to push those things aside and start fresh towards more positive things. If you have had a good life so far look for it to get better as you work towards your dreams and goals. Yes, life can be unpredictable sometimes, but you can let the bad things keep you down or pick yourself up and move forward. What do you have to lose? NOTHING!

To get started on the right paths sit down and write out your goals and dreams. These are things that you want to accomplish in life. For each goal or dream you write down map out a plan to accomplish those goals. As you complete each steps towards your dream reward yourself and keep moving. Before you know it your dream will be close enough to touch!

~Clarifying Your Goals for Greater Success~

A goal is like a compass. It helps you focus on where you want to go in life and make positive progress to get there. However, it's important to remember that you need clarity in your goals from time to time. You'll want to make it as easy as possible for you to reach them.

It may take some more time on your part, but when you write out detailed instructions for yourself instead of vague ideas, you have a much better chance at success. Not only do you know exactly what you need to do, but such plans also tend to invigorate you with more enthusiasm.

Follow these tips in order to clarify your goals:

• Figure out your ultimate goal. What, exactly, do you want?

 

Instead of a goal like "I want to be successful," get down to specifics, such as "I want to own my own business which brings in at least $10,000 per month."

 

• Don't be afraid of detail. You make the ultimate decision on what you want. Just don't be afraid to set the details. Avoid goals like "I want to be rich" because there is no detail.

 

How much money do you want to make?

Why? What will this money provide for you that you desire?

What lifestyle do you want? Cars, homes, ability to travel the world, philanthropy?

How do you want to earn this money?

When do you want this to happen?

How can you prepare for this?

 

• Break up your goals. When you stare at the ultimate goal, it may seem intimidating and unattainable. It's important to break up your main goal into smaller goals. Write out detailed plans about how you'll reach each of the smaller goals.

 

For example, if you want to start your own business, a small goal would be to research your local and federal business laws and register a name.

 

• Give yourself deadlines. It's vital to give yourself deadlines so you know you're making progress towards your goals. Each of your small goals should have an attainable deadline.

 

In the business example above, maybe you'd give yourself a week's time in order to research different business structures and laws.

 

• Keep track. Make detailed notes about what you have done so far. Keeping track of your progress will help you stay organized and on top of your goals.

 

• Make alternate plans. Sometimes you won't be able to make the deadline you have set out for yourself, or maybe you'll be unable to follow through with a current plan entirely. It's important to think of alternatives in case certain situations don't work out in your favor. If you already have back up plans in place, you'll save time if you run into snags on the way to your goals.

 

Get Organized

Organization can mean keeping all of your detailed plans and journals in a binder with tabs for easy access to your various sets of notes. Alternatively, you may opt to keep your materials organized by using project management software on your computer. Just remember to make backups of your digital information so that you don't lose it.

No matter what method you've chosen, determine the details, set small attainable goals that lead toward your ultimate goals, be flexible so you can conquer challenges, and keep track of your progress. Doing these things will bring you ultimate clarity and success.

~Creating Effective Goals~

Have you ever heard the saying, "without a vision the people perish?" This is a true statement. If you don't have a vision then you don't have a goal and you have no planned destination. Goals are an important part of everyday living. Everyone should have goals - things they want to accomplish in life. This is something that you work to achieve every day.

We sometimes set goals that aren't effective or achievable and this can cause a great deal of conflict. There are ways to know if your goals are effective and achievable. The first thing you should do is jot down the resource it would take to attain your goal – both physical and mental resources. Most of the time there are steps you need to complete before your goal can become a reality. That means it is time to prioritize the steps you must take to complete that task first.

When your resources are in place, you are well on your way to achievement. Let's examine how to send you on your way. Here are some strategies you can use to create effective and achievable goals:

1. Be specific. When you set measurable goals they are easy to reach and you have much success. Put together a timeline for whatever it is you want to accomplish. Saying your goal is to become a great author doesn't work since there is no specific end target. It is hard to know if you have accomplished what you set out to do because there is always room to be better at something.
2. Make your goals attainable and realistic. If you want to become a great author you wouldn't set your timeline for the next 2 days because it is not realistic. Setting a goal to be a great author over the next ten years – after you have written over 3 dozen books is real and attainable. Setting unattainable goals are counterproductive. You will never complete them and it will prevent you from even trying. This is a sure way to set yourself up for failure.
3. Give yourself a timeline. Setting a deadline makes the goal a priority, keeps it in your mind, and makes it easier to achieve. If you know that you have a certain amount of time to achieve something you are more motivated to accomplish that goal. If you have a big goal, divide it up into steps or smaller goals. This will help keep you focus on the bigger goal.
4. Write down your goals. If you are a self motivated person you most likely have more than one goal you would like to achieve. You can set goals in almost every area: family, work, health, education, hobbies, or any part of your life in which you would lie to make changes. Writing down each goal can help you organize them and better motivate you to work toward achieving them.

By using these goals setting tips you will be able to set more effective and achievable goals. Once you have crated your objectives, make an action plan and see it to the end. When you have achieved your goals you will have a system in place to accomplish any endeavor.

~Four Steps to Achievement~

One of the major questions I hear every day is "How can I set goals and accomplish them?" The first thing that popped into my head was – you have to want it bad enough! After giving this question more thought and consideration I began to realize that wanting is just not enough. Although a desire to achieve a goal will take you far, accompanied by proper preparation you are sure to achieve your goal.

How many times are challenges impossible- or doors locked only because we think they are? When we put our minds and energy toward them, we often find impossible task turn into achievements.

There are four simple steps you can take to achievement – Plan with a Purpose, Strategically (prayerfully) Prepare, Proceed Positively, and Pursue with Persistence.

Plan with A Purpose

When setting goals, plan with a purpose in mind. There must be a purpose for everything you do. As you set your goals make sure you know the purpose for the goal or the purpose for the goals is to fulfill. When you give purpose to something you give it life and value. When your goal has purpose it becomes a part of you.

Before you get started ask yourself these questions:

Why do I want to achieve this goal?

What purpose would it fulfill in my life?

Strategically (Prayerfully) Prepare

What does it mean to prepare? It means to make ready, usually for a specific purpose. To strategically prepare means to have a strategy. Strategy is the science or art of planning. After writing down your goals, seeing their purpose it is time to write a plan of action. What steps will you take to accomplish your goal? What are some of the things that will have to be completed before your goal is reached? Began to put together those steps and prepare with careful consideration.

Ask yourself the following questions:

What would it take to accomplish this goal?

What steps are necessary from me to accomplish this goal?

In answering these questions you are putting together a plan of action (POA). This is a step by step process that will lead you to your goal.

Proceed Positively

After writing yours goals, its purpose, knowing the steps you have to take, it is time to proceed or take action. As you approach each step, approach with a positive attitude. Affirmation is a good way to increase your positive attitude. When used efficiently, affirmation can be a very effective way to keep the momentum going.

Surround yourself with positive people. Build a support base with people that desire to see you succeed and want to help you in any way they can. Start a network of like minded people. Use whatever resource you need to keep the faith and flow of momentum.

Pursue With Persistence

Be persistent in your endeavors (refusing to relent). Refuse to give up. Pursue your goal with persistence. When you feel like giving up think about the purpose – the goal – the prize.

If you actively work at all four of these steps you will start achieving the things you set out to do. You can only go as far as you are willing to go.

Try Something New

Have you ever been afraid to try something new? 

It’s pretty normal for all of us to feel timid when we want to try something new. The basic fear of failure is crippling. There are some who even fear getting what they want and finding out that it’s not really as great as they dreamed it to be.

Most people are afraid to fail. This is understandable and can be solved by simply first trying something simple like a new recipe, computer program or the basics of a new language.  Whatever you decide make sure that it is simple and realistic. If you master it then think of the energy boost you will have!  Slowly you will start getting the confidence and courage to try something else.  A few more of this and you will be confident enough to try whatever goals you want to accomplish

Whatever fear you have, challenge yourself to face the obstacles. Problems are always there and so are their solutions. One thing easy to do that can help a lot is to have some sort of a song or an affirmation like: “I want to be ____ and I choose to do ____ to achieve this.” It verbalizes your thoughts and helps you focus on the correct way to pull it off. There will be times when you’ll get some setbacks but take it slow and cut yourself some slack and try again. Eventually, you will get it.

What is your motivation?

Have you ever lacked the drive or the motivation to finish a goal?  I think we have all been there.  I am sure that most of us started this year with hopes to change and upgrade only to find ourselves at the same point a month later.  What is the tool needed to accomplish goals from the most simplistic to the hardest?  Well, it all boils down to motivation and the source in which it comes from.  I have been doing some research on motivation and how it functions in our everyday lives.  I have found that motivation comes from one or two sources:  Extrinsic (outside) or Intrinsic (inside). 

Extrinsic motivation is when you are motivated by external factors, as opposed to the internal drivers of intrinsic motivation.  Extrinsic motivation compels you to do things for tangible rewards or pressures, rather than for the fun of it.  Do you find yourself completing a goal just for what type of reward you will receive?  These outside rewards can be anything from money to employment.  Most of us find it easier to finish a goal when we have something tangible in sight.

Intrinsic motivation is when you are motivated by internal factors, as opposed to the external drivers of extrinsic motivation.  Intrinsic motivation compels you to do things just for the fun of it, or because you believe it is a good or right thing to do.  There is a conflict of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.  Intrinsic motivation is far stronger a motivator than extrinsic motivation, yet external motivation can easily act to displace intrinsic motivation.  Most people’s hobbies are intrinsically motivated.  Notice the passion with which people collect little bits of china or build model cars.  Few people carry that amount of passion into their workplace.

What is the source of your motivation?