Getting To Your Goals

‘ IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY, SET A GOAL THAT COMMANDS YOUR THOUGHTS, LIBERATES YOUR ENERGY, AND INSPIRES YOUR HOPES’ – Andrew Carnegie

Experts in the science of success know the brain is a goal seeking organism. Whatever goal you give your subconscious mind, it will work night and day to achieve.

Research conducted in America shows that the small percentage of Americans who write down their goals and review them regularly , earn more than 9 times over the course of their lifetime, than those who don’t set goals. This study alone should motivate you to write down your goals, it definitely did me!

To make sure a goal unleashes the power of your subconscious mind , it must meet two criteria:

1. How much
2. By when

It must be measurable. Be as specific as possible with all aspects of your goals with details. When there are no criteria for measurement, it is just something you want or desire. To engage your subconscious mind, a goal has to be measurable. Here are some examples:

When you write your goals down , your subconscious mind will know what to work on. It will know which opportunities to home in on to help you reach your goal. Take note that it’s not enough to simply write them down and expect them to be wished into existence.

•  You will need to review your goals 2 or 3 times every day
• Take time to read the goals out loud
• Picture the goals as if you have already accomplished them
• Take time to feel how it would feel if you had already accomplished each goalFollowing this daily discipline of success will activate the power of your desire. It increases what psychologists called ‘structural tension’ in your brain. Your brain wants to close the gap between your current reality and and the vision of your goal. By constantly repeating and visualising your goals as already achieved, you will be increasing this structural tension.

Carry your most important goal in your wallet so you are constantly reminded every time you open your wallet. Another idea is to write yourself a cheque and date it. I have read so many stories of people who have done this for example actor Jim Carrey did this when he was a struggling actor and it works!

Please note that to achieve a big goal you are going to have to become a bigger person. You must develop new skills, new attitudes and new capabilities. Keep doing what you have always done and you will keep getting what you have always got.

Breaking down a large goal into smaller tasks and accomplishing them one at a time is how big goals get achieved.

A great technique for creating an action plan for your goals is called mind mapping. It is a simple but powerful process for creating a detailed to do list for achieving your goal. Follow these steps to create a mind map:

Centre circle : with the name of your main goal

Outside circles: divide the goal into major categories of tasks you will need to accomplish to reach your goal

Spokes: draw spokes radiating outward from each mini circle and label each one.

On a seperate line connected to the main circle, write every step you will need to take. Break down each of the more detailed task spokes with action items to help you create your master to do list.

Here is an example of how a mind map looks from Jack Canfields success principles book:

Once you have created a mind map for your goal, convert all the to do items into daily action items by writing them into a to do list and committing to a deadline for each.

No excuses now you have an actionable guide to goal setting. Now all you need to do is figure out what that goal will be!

If you have any further questions or want some extra book recommendations feel free to email me on casey@caseypaulstyling.co.uk

– CASEY PAUL