From the beginning mankind has endeavored to make better use of time as evidenced by the recording and tracking of time. Beginning with the sundial to the modern calendar, the need to manage time has been a matter of great concern, in the personal as well as the professional arenas of life, for thousands of years.

Time management today integrates diverse methods of recording time, helping to identify obstacles to the efficient use of time. Constructive use in making long and short term goals is the best and easiest way to manage time. There are numerous methods that can be used to help organize and prioritize the goals to be achieved.

The major element in the overall effective use of time is incorporating essentials of the goal setting process. By setting goals and implementing them, in your professional and personal life, you can effectively manage your time and, as a result, become more productive.

“Goals” is a term that includes many specific obligations that need to be accomplished by a certain time-frame; such as household chores on the personal side, and important professional proposals on the professional side. Depending on the amount of time you have to finish them, these obligations are either short-term, medium-term, or long-term.

Short term goals would be your daily goals such as household chores and projects that need to be finished immediately. Using effective management in short-term goals means that a list is created and each goal on that list is completed on a daily basis.

Medium-term goals are usually goals that need to be accomplished in one week to one month. Depending on the amount of time needed to complete these goals, they can be broken down in smaller segments, which you would complete on a daily basis. For example, if you have a project that needs 6 to 7 hours to complete over a one week period, you could break it down into one hour per day increments.

Long-term goals generally take months or years to complete. They would include such things as getting a college degree over a four year period or building your own house over a 6 month period. Long-term goals can and should be broken down into daily, weekly, monthly and even yearly segments.

Let’s take the example of a four year college degree. You will need to research your financial options, register for classes, take and pass required subjects, complete your homework, etc. Thus long-term goals are made easier and less daunting when broken down into smaller segments and completing them one step at a time until the final goal is reached — in this case, your college degree.

Effective time management skills include setting deadlines. Its important to set shorter deadlines for each phase of your long term goals by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable parts. This is the planning process and it requires that you make a commitment to yourself to meet your long term goals.

When asked what you want many people answer with things like ….

• “I want to make a lot of money”
• “I want to be happy”
• “I want to travel”
• “I want to find Mr/Ms Right”
• “I want to own my own home”
• “I want a good job”

What’s wrong with these answers?

They are too generic.  Doesn’t everyone want these things?

You need to dig deeper than these generic answers to determine what it is you really want.

What is a lot of money to you? Exactly how much money do you want to have in the bank? How much do you want to invest? How much do you want to earn? How much will it take each month for you to live the lifestyle you want to live?

Great – You want to be happy … What makes you happy?  Singing, dancing, writing, talking, fishing, golfing, bowling, watching TV, creating, crocheting, sewing, reading??? Where are you the happiest at? Who are you the happiest with?

You want to travel … Where do you want to travel – the next city? Certain cities around the world? Which continents? Which countries? Which States? What do you want to do and see while you’re there?  How do you want to travel – by foot? By train? By plane? By car?

Ahhh you want to find Mr/Ms Right. It’s everyone’s dream to find their soul mate and live happily ever after.  You need to determine exactly what Mr/Ms Right looks like …  Does color of skin matter to you?  Occupation? Age? Hair? Figure?  What personality traits does he/she have … A good listener? A hard worker? Romantic? Likes the finer things in life? What sports does he/she like or dislike? Fitness level? Hobbies? Food tastes?

Owning your own home is one of the all American dreams that are shared by many around the world.  Where do you want your home to be? How many stories? How many bedrooms? Baths? Is it a condo or a single family dwelling? Lots of property or just a small yard? Pool or no pool? What type of flooring? What type of countertops? Is it on the beach? On a lake? In the country? In the city?

Wanting a “good job” stems from the old paradigm that you need to grow up, get a good job and you’ll be happy.  Jobs are not security like they were once believed to be.  What is a good job to you? Is it the pay or what you are doing? Do you want to work for yourself or someone else? Do you want to work for a large company? A small company? The government?  What will your job offer you?

Many people are very unhappy today – because they have taken the first job they found and went with it ….

Why do you want it?

After you determine exactly what you want, you need to identify EVERY reason possible that you want it.  Every single benefit that it will give you.  What joy will it bring you and why?  Your reasons need to be personal.  The personal you make it the better chance you have of achieving it.

Time to get busy!  Get out a piece of paper and find out what you really want and why you want it. Or better yet sign up for coaching session with Cindy.

Do you subscribe to the philosophy that resolutions are made to be broken?

Or

Do you believe the New Year’s holiday is an opportunity for change?

Resolution makers generally fall into one of three categories:

1. Serious Resolution Makers

These individuals dedicate themselves to reach their goal – usually in self-improvement. They set their goals and plan the steps to achieve them. They take ACTION.

2. Good Intentions

These people really want to change. They say “This year will be different”. They probably manage the first week or two of following through then they abandon them. These people usually have a plan to begin with.

3. On the Spot Resolutions

These poople make up a New Yeaar’s Resoultion on the spot when they are asked what their resoultuion is. They rarely have any intentions on following through.

What group do you fall into?

Often times people don’t take New Years Resoulutions seriously. They believe it’s all a big joke ….

New Years is actually the perfect time to dedicate yourself to a goal. Here’s why:

• You can reflect on your successes and failures of the previous year
• You have the right frame of mind to plan for the future
• It’s easier to gain the support of family and friends that have thesame or similar goals
• It’s easy to measure your goals. The timeframe of a year is an excellent yardstick
• You have 12 months which is enought time to plan, execute and achieve your goals – even if you hit some roadblocks along the way.

Why do we make resolutions?

Think about your past resolutions …

• Why did you make them?
• What did you hope to accomplish?
• Were you just going along with the crowd?
• Did you really want to change your life?
• Did you take the opportunity to change your lfie seriously?
• Do you subcribe to the theory “Resolutions are made to be broken”?

Do you really want to change your life?

YOU CAN!!!

Want to give it a try?

Here’s how:

1. Choose a resolution that you believe you can attain. If you choose a goal to lose 30 pounds in January or to exercise an hour every day you’ll brobably give up because within a week or so you’ll feel overwhelmed and frustrated. Choosing small goals you can attain helps you to create a pattern of success.
2. Break it up into small steps. Any large goal can be broken into a series of smaller goals. For example, if you want to lose 50 pounds, begin by setting a smaller goal. Maybe losing five pounds is a good start.
3. Set a Deadline. Having a deadline helps you to stay on track and to track your progress. For example, if your goal is to lose 50 pounds, and your smaller goal is 5 pounds a month, you should achieve your big goal in 10 months. (Sound like a long time? How fast did 2008 pass?)
4. Reward yourself – For each small success you need to reward yourself. If your goal is to lose weight, then you don’t want to reward yourself with food. You may want a new outfit, a night out, a massage – get creative.
5. Be Prepared – Regardless of your resoulution you will have obstacles to face. Plan for these obstacles and be prepared to face them head-on. For example, if your goal is to stop smoking, be prepared for cravings and have something ready to distract you for 5 to 10 minutes. (Any type of cravings rarely last longer than 10 minutes)

New Year’s Resolutions don’t have to be broken!

Establish a Winning Attitude, Set Proper Goals, and your New Year’s Resolutions will be life changing and rewarding experiences.

WISHING YOU A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS 2009!!!

In todays busy world it seems that almost everyone is looking for personal growth.  This includes everything from improving relationships, succeeding in your career, weight loss, public speaking, improving your self-esteem and achieving your goals.

Self-improvement products include everything from high priced seminars to moderately priced books.  You’ll find a variety of authors, motivational speakers and programs.  The methods and tools used are just as varied. Each of them has something unique to offer you in your path to self-growth.

5 Steps for Self-Growth

1.  Identify the Cause
Look to the past to see how you got where you are today.  For example if your goal is to lose weight then determine what lifestyle factors contributed to your current weight.  It’s important to write down everything you can think of.  This allows you to step back and analyze your list.  With list in hand you can easily see what changes need to be made in order to achieve your desired outcome.

2.  Goal Setting
You need to have a clear goal.  Use the S.M.A.R.T. method when making your goals.  The clearer your goal – the more chances you have of achieving it.

3.  Make a Plan
Formulate a plan in detail, listing each step you need to take action on to reach your goal.  A good place to start is by using the list of lifestyle factors you wrote in the first step.  Expand on these to incorporate as much detain as possible to achieve your self-improvement goal.

4.  Focus and Commitment
Be committed to achieving your goal.  Stay persistent and you will achieve the results you desire.  Set aside a block of time each day to work on your plan.  Don’t allow distractions of everyday life to get in your way.  Working on your goals each day will soon become a habit and be much easier to stick too.

5.  Look for Inspiration
For inspiration look to others that have achieved what you desire. Remember there’s really nothing new.  Don’t try to reinvent the wheel.  There are other people that have overcome the same personal development challenges as your own.  You can also find inspiration and motivation in the form of books, seminars and courses.

* * *

Self Growth is all about identifying the areas of your life that you want to change for the better.  It’s about having an attitude of continual self-improvement – knowing there’s always room for improvement.

By following the steps outline above, committing to the plan and taking action you can be assured of achieving your goals.  Your self confidence will increase with each small accomplishment.

Begin Your Self-Growth Plan Today – By determining what area of your life you would like to change.

One small step for man; One giant leap for mankind” are the words Astronaut Neil Armstrong uttered as he disembarked from the space shuttle to be the first man to walk on the moons surface.

If you think about all the planning behind the historic first step on the moon, then you’ll understand why “One small step at a time” is the basic theory behind breaking your goals down into measurable steps.

Neil Armstrong didn’t wake up one day and say “Oh, I think I’ll go to the moon today.”  He spent years training for the historic first step on the moon.  He wasn’t even able to board a spacecraft before he had attained the knowledge, commitment and focus required to be successful.  Can you imagine the dedication Mr. Armstrong had?

At times everyone finds it difficult to remain 100% focused on a goal – Especially in today topsy-turvy world of change.  Even the smallest goals can become tiresome at times.

Realistic expectations and a positive attitude, combined with small action steps can make your goals more achievable.

How?

First off you need to know and understand your specific goal.  We suggest your begin with a small simple goal.  Write your goal down on several pieces of construction paper.  Hang them up everywhere.  This is your first step to focusing on your commitment.

Now you’re ready to break your goal down into small steps.

Examples:

1) Let’s say it’s August and your goal is to lose 50 pounds and to run two miles a day by February
Step 1 – On construction paper you’ll write down February, 50 pounds, run two miles a day
Step 2 – Focus daily on your written goal
Step 3 – Break it down into smaller steps
Step 4 – Find a specific weight loss plan to follow
Step 5 – Jog for 10 minutes a day
Step 6 – In your second week run for 10 minutes a day
Step 7 – Third week increase your running time to 15 minutes a day
Keep expanding on your steps until you reach your goal

2) Let’s say it’s January and your goal is to save one thousand dollars by December
Step 1 – On construction paper you’ll write December, One Thousand Dollars
Step 2 – Focus daily on your written goal
Step 3 – Brown bag it for lunch one day per week, to save five dollars a week
Step 4 – Second month, brown bag it for lunch two days per week and save ten dollars per week
Step 5 – Third month, forego your morning java at Starbucks one day a week and saved additional five dollars a week
To save a thousand dollars all you need to do is figure out simple things you can do without that total twenty dollars a week.  This could be a new outfit, a night out, etc.

You’ll become more motivated to continue upon achievement of each and every step.  You’ll be seeing results and your confidence will build.

Keep a success journal.  Every day write about your goal and the steps you took that day to achieve it.  Read it often.  It will help you to stay focused.  You’re not perfect – so don’t expect to be.  That’s just adding pressure to yourself that you don’t need. Expect to make mistakes every now and then.  Learn from them, and continue your path to achieving your goals.

Never Give Up!  Too many people quit within an inch of success.  Persistence and consistency is the key to success.  Reward your self along the way.  Enjoy your journey of life.  If Neil Armstrong can walk on the moon; you can accomplish anything you set out to do.

Without clearly defined goals, you simply can’t achieve the success you want! Goals, by Zig Ziglar guides you through a clear, beautifully organized ’success trip.’ Along the way, you’ll learn how to recognize and set your goals. You’ll learn techniques for finding extra time you didn’t think you had and for cutting down big goals to easy-to-handle size.

How important is Goal Setting?

Most successful people will answer “Very Important”.

As evidenced by a young 29-year old business manager of a major auto manufacturer.   He credits effective goal setting for enabling him to  achieve all but one of the goals he set out to achieve five years ago.  The goal he hasn’t achieved yet? Buying a home – to which he states “will definitely occur at 35.”

He attributes the level of his success to the five criteria of goal setting:

1. Positively Express Goals
2. Precise Goals
3. Prioritize Goals
4. Written Goals
5. Small Goals

Why do we need to set goals?

Without goals, our lives would have no focus, no direction, no feeling of purpose. Setting goals gives us control of how we live, how we operate our business, how we relate to others, how we perceive competition and helps us gain self-confidence.

Goals need to be specific and realistic. For instance, If you’re on unemployment with no immediate business opportunities, you can’t realistcally  expect to be a millionaire in a year.

When you are setting goals don’t fall prey to the pressures of society by trying to accumulate great wealth in a short period of time.

Your goals must be yours. They must be based on your desires. You need to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve and how to achieve it.

Your goals need to be “just out of reach, but within your grasp”. This should help you remain focused and committed to your goals. Never lose sight of your goals.

Obtain the knowledge and skills you need to achieve your goals. Do your research and utilize all the resources available to you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Keep pen and paper handy. You’ll want to write down ideas as soon as they crop up on you. Many times the “perfect” answer will pop into our minds at the oddest of times. Don’t worry if an idea doesn’t work out. Keep trying one idea after another until you find a winner.

Everyone has goals in life. How often to you hear people saying they want to lose weight, they want to go on a special vacation, or they want to land that dream job. Problem is life seems to get in the way of most peoples dreams and goals.

Reach your goals faster than you ever thought possible with The Ultimate Goal Achieving Package by Brian Tracy. You’ll learn how to begin setting goals effectively.  You don’t have to give up on your dreams and goals. Don’t let momentary set-backs get you down. Learn to keep focused on the path that will LEAD you directly to your goals.

Goal setting is important if you want to achieve anything.

It’s really quite sad that most people are never taught how to set goals either in school or by their parents.

Why is Goal Setting Important?

1. Goals put YOU in control of your life!

With out goals you drift through life believing that everything that happens is your destiny and there’s nothing you can do to change it.

Goals give your life direction. It gives you a reason to get up in the morning. They motivate you to keep on keeping on when things get tough.

Goals enable you to create your future. Your future can be what ever you want it to be. Envision what you want your future to be and get busy setting goals to make it your reality.

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” Anonymous

2. Goals reduce stress and saves time

Many goal setters work from a daily list. Each night they write a list of what they need to accomplish the next day. This list is just mini goals that will help them achieve their larger goals.

This saves time, because you are not wasting it on needless tasks. You focus your energy on what’s truly important to you.

It reduces stress because you’ll find it easier to make decisions. You will naturally choose the choice that puts you closer to achieving your goal.

Goals are also important in boosting your self esteem Each time you achieve a goal – regardless how small it gives you a sense of accomplishment.

Now that you know the answer to the question …
“Why is goal setting important?”
Begin setting goals for ALL areas of your life ….

• Family goals
• Personal goals
• Health and fitness goals
• Career goals

The Ultimate Goals Program teaches you the 21 most important strategies and techniques ever discovered to help you accomplish more of your goals, faster than you ever have before.

I wish you success in all that you do!

Do you take action every day to achieve your goals?

Many people will take the time to set Goals, but then fail to take action to achieve that goal.

Examples:

Many people set a goal to lose weight and then don’t plan menus or schedule time to exercise. If this describes you, get your FREE eDiets Profile . They make menu planning and shopping a breeze.

Many people will set a goal to save $100./month but they don’t complete a budget on how to live with out this $100. Every month they put $100 in their savings and then remove most if not all by the end of the month, all the time telling themselves it will be different next month. If this sounds like you find out how your can get out of debt fast with the Ultimate Debt Guide.

Many people will set a goal for a higher paying better job – but then fail to get the education or obtain the skills they will need for that job.

Many people will set a goal to spend more quality time with their family. Yet, they don’t treat this time – as they would any other important appointment. Really, it should be an appointment that would only be cancelled in extreme emergencies.

These are just a few of common goals (or wishes) that most people have.

What divides the achievers from the non-achievers?

ACTION

Action speaks louder than words. Action gets results – words don’t. If you fail to take continuous action towards your goals then your subconscious mind thinks the goal is not obtainable and will stop working to achieve it.

Taking persistent action everyday to achieve a goal does two things:

1. Brings your goal that much closer to obtainment

2. Makes your subconscious mind believe your goal is reachable.

If you are serious about improving your life and reaching your goals then …

1. Write your goals down – Goals need to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely (S.M.A.R.T. goals).

2. Break your goals down into bite size pieces – remember anyone can eat an elephant one bite at a time.

3. Schedule time each and every day to do at least 1 task that will bring you that much closer to achieving your goal.

4. Keep a success scrapbook. Every day write down your success that day – such as I saved $5.00 by not buying that frapachino or I exercised for 30 minutes today. This scrapbook can become an enormous motivator when your feeling down.

5. Listen and grow by reading and listening to motivational information. One of my favorite motivational speakers is Brian Tracy. And now he is offering You a FREE CD – 21 Success Secrets of Self Made Millionaires

See our post on setting SMART Goals.

Stop dreaming – Decide today to make your goals a reality.
Take Action Every Day

I encourage you to pick up a pen and a piece of paper and jot down the goals you want to reach.

Look at each goal and evaluate it. Make any changes necessary to ensure it meets the criteria for SMART goals.

Setting SMART goals will help you to be successful in both your personal and business life.

SMART goals
Specific – Measurable – Attainable – Realistic – Timely

Specific
A specific goal will explain in detail Who, What, Where, Why and How the goal will be obtained.

Why do you want to achieve this goal? (What’s the benefit?)

Who needs to be involved for the success of your goal?

Where do these steps need to happen?

How will you obtain the goal? List all the action steps necessary to obtain.

What does the finished goal look like?

Your smart goal should clearly define the final outcome. The more clearly you identify the goal, the easier it will be to focus on the action steps required to achieve it.

Write your goal down in clear simple language. A 6th grader should be able to read it, understand it and be able to tell you when you’ve accomplished it.

Measurable

If you can’t measure it, how will you know how close you are to obtaining your goal?

Set target dates for achieving each step of your goal. Measuring your progress helps you to stay on track. It helps you to look back and see how far you have come.

A measurable goal will answer the questions When? How Much? How Many? Etc.

Attainable

You need to set goals that you believe you can accomplish. They can’t be too simple or difficult. Your subconscious needs to believe that it is possible. Any goal is reachable if you can clearly visualize it.

Prioritize each action step needed to achieve your goal. Plan for obstacles and have solutions in mind.

Each time you succeed at an action step you are bringing yourself closer to the accomplishment of your major goal.

Along the journey you will develop the attitude, abilities, and skills necessary at making your dream a reality.

Realistic

Realistic does not mean simple. It means “Doable”.

A realistic goal will require some effort on your part. You need to be willing to commit to the time it will take to accomplish. Such as learning a new skill or acquiring certain knowledge.

If it’s too easy your subconscious thinks you aren’t capable of much.

If it’s too hard you’re setting the stage for failure.

For example an unrealistic goal would be “I’m going to be a millionaire next month” if you’re currently earning $30,000/year and struggling.

Another unrealistic goal would be “I’m going to lose 30 pounds in a month.” For almost everyone this is an impossible goal (except for maybe the contestants on “The Biggest Loser”)

Timely

Your goal needs to have a deadline. This gives your goal gives you a clear target to work towards. When will it be accomplished? How much time is involved?

If it’s too far in the future – your subconscious wont work towards it because it thinks I’ve got plenty of time. And “Someday” doesn’t exist.

If there’s not enough time, then the subconscious simply wont believe it’s possible.

A Smart Goal:
I will save $1200. (by 12 months from now) for my vacation next year. I will save $100./month. I will do this by skipping my morning Chocolate Mocha and sweet roll each morning – Monday thru Friday on my way to work. Instead I will bring coffee from home and put a packet of hot chocolate in it. In place of the sweet roll I will have a bagel.

The above goal is specific, it states the benefit, it states when, how why and where. Its measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. It’s doable. All the bases are covered.

I’ll never forget a demonstration from a speaker I saw during a Tupperware convention I attended …

The speaker called a lady up on stage and told her to “TRY” to pick up a chair.

The lady easily picked up the chair.

The speaker said “No, no, no – I told you to TRY to pick up the chair.”

The lady looked puzzled – she sort of stood there and just looked at the chair ….

THE LESSON:
You either take action and DO, or take no action and FAIL

So many of us will say …

• “I’ll try to get around to it”
• “I’ll try to lose weight”
• “I’ll try to save money”
• “I’ll try to clean the house”
• “I’ll try to accomplish my goals”

“Try” is sort of like “Tomorrow” it just sort of never comes.

Sometimes I think we say “I’ll try” because it gives us permission to “Not Take Action” – thus we don’t have to be afraid of failing.

Action is necessary to achieve anything in life.

If you just sat in your living room, thinking – “Gee, I sure would like a glass of water.” You’re just a wishing and a dreaming ….

You need to TAKE ACTION by getting up off the chair and going into your kitchen, taking a glass out of the cupboard, and filling it with water. Then you can enjoy it.

The same rules apply if you want to lose weight, start a business, improve your self-esteem, buy a house …

ANYTHING your want to accomplish…. You need to TAKE ACTION to achieve it.
Otherwise you are just wasting your life away by wishing and dreaming.

Decide right now ONE thing you can do to begin working towards your goal and TAKE ACTION by following through and doing it. Sure, you might not succeed the first time, wipe your self off and do it again – remember PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!