5 Ways to Make Your Own Luck and Reach Your “Pot-O-Goals”!



No doubt about it, if you want to succeed in any endeavor, setting goals gets you there faster. But there’s more to it than simply saying, “I want ________.” There’s a science to setting effective goals. Here are the five most important rules to help ensure your success:

1. MAKE YOUR GOALS POSITIVE:
Say What You Want!
To process a negative statement, such as “I’ll stop being late,” your brain must first picture you as always being late. This actually reinforces what you’re attempting to eliminate! Instead, use positive statements like, “I am on time wherever I go…”

2. MAKE YOUR GOALS MEASURABLE:
Say Exactly What You Want!
You need specifics to make any goal effective. WRONG WAY: “I will sell a lot more products this month.” RIGHT WAY: “I will increase my sales closing ratio by at least 15% this month and thereby boost my commission checks by no less than $10,000…”

3. MAKE YOUR GOALS TIME-SPECIFIC:
Say When You Want It!
Without linking your goal to time, it’s no more than a daydream! WRONG WAY: “I will have $50,000 in my IRA” RIGHT WAY: “I will have $50,000 in my IRA by November 30, 2007.” This step moves your goal from fantasy and grounds it in reality.

4. MAKE YOUR GOALS CONCRETE:
Say It On Paper!
Motivational experts agree: writing your goals on paper and carrying it with you at all times is powerful! Write all your goals in your Day-Timer planner. Take it out every morning and night and read your goal statement out loud. Silly? It’s actually one of the most powerful ways to impress it upon your subconscious mind… key to realizing your goals in the shortest time possible.

5. MAKE YOUR GOALS OPERATIONAL:
Say Only What’s Possible!
Shooting high is great… but shooting too high can lead to massive frustration… even depression. It’s better to choose goals that are just slightly out of reach. Hitting these targets will still cause you to stretch, but not so far that you’d also snap if you missed the mark. Goals that are too large — without interim goals to keep you on course — can produce a time-warp effect, making you feel like you’re wading though molasses… making no progress at all. Instead, create a multitude of small goals. This way, you can revel in your success, as you step-stone your way to the top!

EXAMPLE: Don’t just say, “GOAL: To boost sales by $10,000 this year.” Instead, break it down! “
1) Increase monthly sales leads by at least 10% by making 10 more cold calls a day…
2) Send out at least two sales letters each month to new prospects…
3) Mail 1,000 lead-generating postcards every 30 days…”

Your goal of an additional $10,000 in sales is far more attainable by creating bite-sized interim goals that are easily achieved!

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