Goal Getting: 5 Steps to Get You There Quickly


One of the things that frustrated me while in school was that most of the psychology books specialized in complicating things. It's the same with many self-help books as well. I always wondered why relationships, change and meeting goals couldn't be made much more simple.

To that end, here are five simple steps to making goals attainable:

1. Write it down

We all carry around in our heads great ideas, intentions and goals. The problem is that is where they often remain - floating around in our heads, taking up space and never being acted upon, much less realized. If you really do want something to happen, write it down. In fact, the simple yet powerful act of writing down your goals automatically increases the chances of meeting them. This is because even the weakest ink is so much more powerful than the strongest memory.

Another advantage to writing down your goals is that you now have them in front of you. Reading your goals on a regular basis can motivate you and keep you on course each day. We all have full days with lots of distractions. Having your goals right in front of you allows you to focus on the activities that push you toward your goals and tune out the distractions.

2. Break it down

This is the first place people often get stuck. You've set some attractive goals. Then you look at how much has to be done and how distant the goal seems to be, and you stop there. Break down your goals before you break down.

Many of the things we do on a regular basis are broken down into smaller chunks. A week has seven days, a day has 24 hours, an hour has 60 minutes and so on. Even a pizza is cut into slices and then eaten a bite at a time. Take your goals and break them down into small, manageable pieces that can be handled one at a time, a day at a time, a week at a time, and so on.

3. Take small steps

Here's the second spot where we tend to get stuck. Now that you have broken down your goals into manageable pieces, begin to take one small step at a time. As you begin to take and complete small steps, both your confidence and motivation will grow. Most people don't begin. You begin.

4. Take the next step

This is the third spot where people tend to get off course. You get off to a good start and then fail to follow through. Ask yourself "now that I have accomplished this step, what's the next step I need to take?" Then either take that step right away, or at least get started on it.

This builds your momentum and can carry you through to the completion of your goals.

5. Take one more step

This is sometimes called "going the extra mile," and it's the major difference between winners and champions. Winners take all of the steps listed above. Champions take an extra step, run one more block, lift one more weight, read one more page. When you don't believe you can take one more step and then do, that's when you become a champion.

So, here is what I'd like to invite you to do: Choose a goal you would like to accomplish, write it down, break it down, begin to take small steps, take the next steps and then take the extra steps.

Then enjoy what you have accomplished.

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.





Latest News:



Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for news
Myanmar's Suu Kyi to get family letters, news mags (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has managed to wring small concessions from the ruling generals in the form of letters from her family and some international news magazines, her lawyer said on Friday. JCDecaux in talks for News Outdoor Group in Russia (AP via Yahoo! News)
French outdoor advertising firm JCDecaux SA said Thursday it is negotiating to buy Russian rival News Outdoor Group from global media company News Corp. News Corp tightens grip on Premiere with new CEO (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Rupert Murdoch tightened his grip on German pay-TV broadcaster Premiere by appointing News Corp executive Mark Williams as CEO in a move to get the company back on track. SEC Looks Into UAL Stock Scare; Implications For Online News? (CBS News)
A ton of digits have been devoted to this in other spots but the SEC's decision to investigate takes it to another level. The backstory: a six-year-old news story about UAL declaring bankruptcy made it into the Tribune-owned Sun-Sentinel 's current news flow, was picked up by a Google (NSDQ: GOOG) News bot and, via a reporter for a newsletter, made it onto Bloomberg News. After a lot of buck ... JCDecaux and News Corp. in talks to combine outdoor ad groups (International Herald Tribune)
The News Corp. chief executive, Rupert Murdoch, has recently expressed nervousness about investments in Russia, where News Outdoor generated the bulk of its revenue last year. SEC Looks Into UAL Stock Scare; Implications For Online News? (paidContent.org via Yahoo! Finance)
A ton of digits have been devoted to this in other spots but the SEC's decision to investigate takes it to another level. The backstory: a six-year-old news story about UAL declaring bankruptcy made it into the Tribune-owned Sun-Sentinel's current news flow, was picked up by a Google News bot and, via a reporter for a newsletter, made it onto Bloomberg News. JCDecaux in talks to buy News Corp. billboard unit (AP via Yahoo! Finance)
In a deal that would create the world's largest outdoor advertising company, French conglomerate JCDecaux SA said Thursday that it is in talks to buy Russian rival News Outdoor Group from global media company News Corp. Phila. mayor to announce grim budget news (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
The Nutter administration is expected to announce grim budget news today, which is all but certain to lead to significant spending cuts - perhaps as high as 10 percent - in some city departments, according to three sources familiar with the budget. News Corp says Mark Williams interim Premiere CEO (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
News Corp. executive Mark Williams has taken over as chief executive of German pay-TV broadcaster Premiere in an interim capacity, News Corp. said after the move led to renewed takeover speculation. News Corp. says Mark Williams interim Premiere CEO (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Mark Williams, a News Corp. executive named late on Wednesday as chief executive of German pay-TV broadcaster Premiere, has taken over in an interim capacity, a News Corp. spokeswoman said on Thursday.

Site: news - Google News
Ballmer touts Windows 7 beta, new deals - CNET News

Telegraph.co.uk

Ballmer touts Windows 7 beta, new deals
CNET News, CA - 5 hours ago
Microsoft will also announce new deals for Windows Live that will see Microsoft's search engine become the default on PCs from Dell as well as touting a ...
CES: Microsoft announces new search deals with Dell, Verizon Seattle Post Intelligencer
Windows Live Essentials released, more Windows Live news from CES LiveSide
Cheat sheet: Microsoft's CES keynote news in a nutshell TechFlash
CNNMoney.com - CNBC
all 623 news articles
Amid Gaza violence, a new task for Obama - USA Today

BBC News

Amid Gaza violence, a new task for Obama
USA Today - 2 hours ago
Instead, the new spate of violence "will empower every anti-Israel, anti-US and extremist movement in the Middle East and the Islamic world," says Anthony ...
Video: Gaza families mourn dead after UN school bombed - 07 Jan 09 AlJazeeraEnglish
Israel Mulls New Gaza Cease-Fire Proposal CBS News
Sarkozy: 'Too Soon to Talk of Good News in Gaza' Voice of America
KXMC - Reiten Television KXMB Bismarck
all 28,215 news articles
Australia, New Zealand Dollars Drop on Commodities, US Jobs - Bloomberg

Maktoob

Australia, New Zealand Dollars Drop on Commodities, US Jobs
Bloomberg - 2 hours ago
8 (Bloomberg) -- The Australian and New Zealand currencies fell, snapping three days of gains versus the US dollar, as prices of commodities that make up ...
Currencies Trading All Over the Map Washington Post
The euro begins the New Year at 3?week lows vs. the dollar FXstreet.com The Foreign Exchange Market
Australia, New Zealand Dollars Drop on Commodities, US Jobs Bloomberg
Bloomberg
all 492 news articles
New Sony Hard-Drive HD Camcorders - PC World

PC World

New Sony Hard-Drive HD Camcorders
PC World - 7 hours ago
The SR line will live on, however, with three new standard-definition units. Pictured above is the Sony Handycam HDR-XR520V ($1500, available in March). ...
New Sony Camcorders Do GPS, Too PC World
all 43 news articles
O'Brien: Apple's final appearance at Macworld signals new era - San Jose Mercury News

Times Online

O'Brien: Apple's final appearance at Macworld signals new era
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 16 hours ago
Schiller unveiled a series of upgrades and new features to Apple products that pleased the Mac faithful, but otherwise felt incremental. ...
Video: Steve Jobs Weight Loss Due to Hormone Imbalance AssociatedPress
Apple unveils software updates, new laptop San Francisco Chronicle
Alternate Universe of Macworld News PC World
New Zealand Herald - Washington Post
all 2,783 news articles
Sony Ericsson's new W508 Walkman phone - CNET News

CNET News

Sony Ericsson's new W508 Walkman phone
CNET News, CA - 7 hours ago
Sony Ericsson expanded its Walkman phone line at CES with the announcement of its new W508 music phone. Sporting a flip phone design that reminds us of the ...
Reopened theater stages comeback for New Orleans arts - USA Today

Reopened theater stages comeback for New Orleans arts
USA Today - 4 hours ago
By Rick Jervis, USA TODAY NEW ORLEANS ? Closed for more than three years, a prominent performing arts center is scheduled to reopen Thursday in what city ...
Challenges for the New Chief Performance Officer - Washington Post

Los Angeles Times

Challenges for the New Chief Performance Officer
Washington Post, United States - 13 hours ago
When Bernie Madoff's $50 billion Ponzi scheme hits the news, we realize the Securities and Exchange Commisssion needs to step up its enforcement. ...
Breaking News: Obama names first CPO FCW.com
Will new 'CPO' truly cut massive waste? Troy Messenger
Live-blogging Obama's news conference Minnesota Public Radio
New York Times - FCW.com
all 402 news articles
New York Gov. David Paterson And Caroline Kennedy's Slowing Race ... - CBS News

Newsday

New York Gov. David Paterson And Caroline Kennedy's Slowing Race ...
CBS News, NY - 8 hours ago
By Bonnie Erbe I have written previously in this space in support of Caroline Kennedy's bid to replace Hillary Clinton as New York's junior United States ...
Kennedy Falls Behind Cuomo In New Poll Western Queens Gazette
all 260 news articles
CNET News Daily Podcast: When businesses strike back at Yelpers - CNET News

CNET News Daily Podcast: When businesses strike back at Yelpers
CNET News, CA - 8 hours ago
Also in this podcast: Yahoo takeover talk returns in the new year; Intel revenue drops by $2 billion; and Facebook reaches a new milestone. ...

MORE RESOURCES:
Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for goal setting
GIRLS? SOCCER: Giants? goal? School record 15 (Marion Chronicle-Tribune)

ANDERSON ? Marion won its first girls? soccer match Wednes-day in record-setting style. The Giants set a single-game scoring record and completely dominated host Anderson Highland, 15-0. Tamara Barrett, Jackie Roorbach and Alex Lester each had three-goal hat tricks for the Giants. Soft-spoken Syd'Quan not shy in setting big goals for Cal and himself at cornerback (Contra Costa Times)

Thompson is tied for the NCAA lead in interceptions with three after two games, and three picks is his goal for each game, including Saturday at Maryland. A's setting sights on second place (Oakland A's)

A's setting sights on second place Archdiocese sets fundraising record (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

The St. Louis Archdiocese said local Catholics contributed more than $13 million to its annual fundraising effort, surpassing its goal by more than $1 million and setting a record for the 59-year-old campaign. United Way sets goal at $935,000 (Great Falls Tribune)

United Way of Cascade County kicked off its annual fundraising drive Tuesday, setting a goal of $935,000. United Way launches campaign for $2.2 million (The Hendersonville Times-News)

The United Way of Henderson County volunteers, staff and community officials kicked off the 2008 fund raising campaign at 7:30 a.m. today at the Historic Courthouse, setting a goal of $2.2 million to meet needs of the community in health care, social services and other areas. RI residents oppose mass housing (Quad-City Times)

Rock Island?s Housing Authority, or RIHA, wrapped up hours of goal setting for its next fiscal year Thursday night. But controversy is building about one of the agency?s proposals. Sallie Mae to turn on $10B private tap (Baltimore Business Journal)

Sallie Mae is rushing into a market many are deserting by setting a goal of making $10 billion worth of student loans that are not backed by the federal government. (SLM) On the agenda (The Fort Collins Coloradoan)

September Symposium 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday, Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St. Attend these free sessions on a wide variety of topics ranging from avoiding burnout, performance appraisals, conflict resolution, small business leadership, goal setting, marketing and more. Reservations are required. For more information, visit www.larimerworkforce.org Going for the goal (Bangkok Post - Thailand's English news)

Goals are one of the most important elements of success at any level and in any field. Having clear goals helps us know exactly what we want to accomplish in what time frame. Goals can also inspire us and get us excited and motivated. Site: goal setting - Google News
A strategic plan for goal setting - Santa Rosa Press Democrat

A strategic plan for goal setting
Santa Rosa Press Democrat, CA - 11 hours ago
The council has done goal setting, but it seems that there are usually goals focusing on pet projects or pet issues of individuals, but there never has been ...
Goal-setting programs make for more active co-workers - DailyIndia.com

Goal-setting programs make for more active co-workers
DailyIndia.com, FL - 21 hours ago
"They had individual goal setting - a common technique - but they also had group and organizational goal setting, which provided the peer encouragement that ...
Wellness programs benefit from management support Business Insurance
all 4 news articles
Team and a Dream Announces Goal Setting Teleseminar for Web Businesses - PR.com (press release)

Team and a Dream Announces Goal Setting Teleseminar for Web Businesses
PR.com (press release), NY - 5 minutes ago
Team and a Dream (www.TeamAndADream.com) is announcing a Teleseminar workshop on January 12, 2009 entitled ?Is your Web Business Failing to Capture Clients? ...
Frugal Duchess: Goal-setting - Bellingham Herald

Frugal Duchess: Goal-setting
Bellingham Herald, WA - Jan 6, 2009
Goal setting is an annual exercise as we try to whip our home and other fiscal assets into better shape. And so we crunch numbers and try to tone up our ...
Hall gets uniform Lions' Hanson wore setting mark - Chicago Tribune

Hall gets uniform Lions' Hanson wore setting mark
Chicago Tribune, United States - 7 hours ago
Hanson kicked a 51-yard field goal Dec. 15 in the first quarter of the Lions' 31-21 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. It was his 41st career field goal of 50 ...
Employer-Sponsored Workouts Boost Workers' Health - Washington Post

Employer-Sponsored Workouts Boost Workers' Health
Washington Post, United States - Jan 6, 2009
Key to the program's success may have been the use of group and organizational goal-setting along with individual goals, because they provide vital peer ...
The Goal: A Farm At the White House - Washington Post

The Goal: A Farm At the White House
Washington Post, United States - 14 hours ago
Before setting off on their journey the pair contacted Waters, who blessed the venture. They set up a platform bed in the back of the bus, ...
Missoula officials offer New Year's goal setting tips - KPAX-TV

Missoula officials offer New Year's goal setting tips
KPAX-TV, MT - Jan 2, 2009
Missoula City-County Health officials say the new year is a great time to re-commit to new health goals. Here are some goals they recommend striving for ...
Setting effective financial goals for 2009 - The Punch

Setting effective financial goals for 2009
The Punch, Nigeria - Jan 3, 2009
For instance, Dr. Ron Dontroy, a leading human resource expert and author, The Art of Future Management, likens goal setting to a compass that provides the ...
Eric L. Wesson - Kansas City Call

UKMedix Health News

Eric L. Wesson
Kansas City Call, MO - Jan 6, 2009
Goal setting are reaching those goals is going to be a second language at THE CALL. CALL publisher Ms. Donna Stewart says that her New Year?s goal is ...
Be truthful in setting your New Year?s resolutions Bradenton Herald
Don?t waste time on resolutions; set goals instead The Tribune-Democrat
Hang in there: Tips to help keep your New Year?s Resolutions The Rensselaer Republican
Ludington Daily News - Evening Sun (subscription)
all 71 news articles
Home | Site Map | Resource Links