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Setting goals is only the first step to getting what you want. Your conscious mind is your goal setter and it will serve you well to learn how to set goals effectively. Your unconscious mind is the goal getter as it manages the entire process until completed. If you are not achieving your goals it doesn't mean that you have an inefficient goal setting process. It does mean that the manager of getting your goals has not been tasked properly. This page has helpful information that will teach you how to set goals. I will teach you how to get your unconscious mind to accept the goals you set consciously during my life coaching program.

"Begin with the end in mind."
~Dr. Stephen Covey~

The underlying principal behind most goal setting techniques is to make your goals become real and tangible to you. There are many effective goal setting techniques that have been developed and published. I suggest you use what works for you. I have made mention of a few principals and techniques that that I have picked up over the years. They are beneficial if your goals are desired by the whole of you. By this mean I mean that no part of you doubts your ability of achieving the goal for any reason. As part of my life coaching program we will get rid of any of those doubts and other obstacles within yourself that stand in the way of achieving your goals.

My personal approach to goals?

I have 2 types of goals in my life. Goals that I have achieved and goals that I am in the process of achieving. Zig Ziglar summed up my strategy to achieve goals best.

"If you help enough other people get what they want, then you will have what you want"

Zig Ziglar

I make sure that all my goals support each other. If I have a desire that does not support my current goals then I park it until it can be accommodated by my bigger plan. I sometimes end up altering the bigger plan. The point is that is that my goals have to support each other. This is not negotiable. Applying this is hard, as it feels like I am temporarily settling for second best. The reality is that goal management is tough and you need to protect your goals, even from other goals.

Goal setting techniques & principals

I am aware that there are many variations of these techniques & principals out there. Stick to what works best for you. Once you understand the fundamentals of goal setting there is nothing stopping you from creating your own specific goal setting method. My aim here is to give you enough information to extract the fundamentals.

Lets start off by looking at 5 principals for success. These are not the only principals but I find them helpful when focusing on goal setting.

5 Principals for success
1	Know your outcome
2	Take action
3	Have sensory acuity
4	Have behavioral flexibility
5	Operate from a physiology and psychology of excellence

During my Life Coaching Program I teach how to practically apply these principals to your life. We also take care of all the internal obstacles that stand in the way of effectively applying these practical steps.

The chart below contrasts Goals and Outcomes against desired Values or States. This is helpful as background information before actually setting goals. "I want to be happy" is not a goal. It's a desired state. "It is now 5 October 2010 and I have successfully completed my doctorate" is a goal. I know that the tense that this goal is written in seems strange. We cover this a bit later on for now familiarise yourself with these points before we dig into the meat of goal setting.

Difference between a state (desired feeling) and a goal

	VALUE OR STATE		GOAL OR OUTCOME

	Stated ambiguously		Stated specifically
	Write affirmations		Write goals/outcomes
	You can have it now		Time is involved
	No steps needed to get there		Get final step and work backwards
	Infinite		Measurable
	Stated for self and/or others		Stated for self only

Write down your goal as you see it. Don't worry about the format or getting it totally right at this stage. We will clean it up later. We are first going to apply the keys to an achievable outcome to your goal as it is. I will give a template for goals further down the page. Check how your goal features against the keys to an achievable outcome. I know this is a bit of a panel beating session, but the results are worth it. This process is very important to make sure that your goal is really specifically what you want.

Keys to an achievable outcome
	Begin by asking yourself: “How is it possible that I don’t have it now?” This question is very crucial. The answers provide the potential issues that you need to resolve. When we do goal setting in my Life Coaching Program we deal with and resolve all these obstacles within you
1	Stated in the positive.	“What specifically do you want?”
2	Specify present situation.	“Where are you now?” (Associated)
3	Specify outcome.	“What will you see, hear, feel, etc., when you have it?” • As if now. • Make compelling • Insert in future. Be sure future picture is dissociated.
4	Specify evidence procedure.	“How will you know when you have it?”
5	Is it congruently desirable?	“What will this outcome get for you or allow you to do?” Do I totally want the outcome?
6	Is it self-initiated and self-maintained?	“Is it only for you?”
7	Is it appropriately contextualized?	“Where, when, how, and with whom do you want it?”
8	What resources are needed?	“What do you have now, and what do you need to get your outcome?” • “Have you ever had or done this before?” • “Do you know anyone who has?” • “Can you act as if you have it?”
9	Is it ecological?	“For what purpose do you want this?” • “What will you gain or lose if you have it?” • What will happen if you get it? • What won’t happen if you get it? • What will happen if you don’t get it? • What won’t happen if you don’t get it?

Goals should be S.M.A.R.T

This is just another way to ensure that your goal is really what you want. Use what works for you. I sometimes run through both formats as they tackle things from a slightly different perspective in spite of the repetition.

S	Specific	Ask the 6 'W' questions: who? what? where? when? which? and why? Rather have 10 goals than try and incorporate them into 1 big goal.
	Simple

M	Measurable	Ask, "How will I know I have achieved the goal?". Make sure that the answer to this question is what you really want.
	Meaningful to you

A	Achievable	It seems obvious that goals should be achievable. This does not necessarily mean lower your standards. Consider adjusting timeframe's or setting another short term goal that is a stepping stone to reach the greater goal. Your goals should be beneficial to all areas of your life. When writing down your goals they need to be written as if they are happening now. A good way to start your goal is; "It is now (date) and I have successfully......"
	All areas of your life
	As if now

R	Realistic	Ask, "What do I need to do and what do need so that I can do what I need to do". You will quickly realise how realistic your goal is. I cant stress ecology enough! Always make sure that your goal will not incur harm to anyone or anything.
	Responsible / Ecological

T	Timed	You need to know by when your goal will be achieved. Check your diary to make sure that your target dates are practical. Make sure your goal supports your other goals and is a step closer to the life you want.
	Toward what you want

Here is the goal format I suggest. Remember that good goal setting is about the process not just writing it down in a helpful way.

GOAL FORMAT

It is now (Insert goal date) and I (am/have/own) (insert outcome with as much sensory detail as possible)

I hope this has been helpful. I know that it is possible for you to take control of your life and live your goals and dreams. What you do right now determines the results in your life anyway. Why not learn what to do so that you get the results that you want?

Need to make changes in your life? CALL ME NOW to discuss what you want to achieve