How many of you have goals? How many of you write them down? How many of you review, measure, and manage your goals? Well, if you believe the research out there, and there’s lot’s of it, than less than 3 1/2% of the population have goals in some written form. We’ve all heard the case study of the Princeton graduating class of those that had written goals and those that didn’t. If you haven’t heard the study, here’s the short version. An analysis was done of a graduating Princeton University class. Only 3% had written goals. The other 97% did not. Interviewing the class 20 years later (that time period gets misrepresented a lot), the study found that the 3% who had written goals were worth more than the other 97% combined! That’s staggering! Think about it, can you really get that superior results from simply having goals and writing them down?
I’m not here to debate the merits of that study or any national statistics. I am here to tell you that from personal experience, meaning me, and the experiences of my clients and my circle of influence – those that have written goals are far more motivated, happier, healthier, wealthier financially and spiritually, and tend to have far healthier and deeper relationships, and are more spiritual! That’s the bottom line. Goals work without question. If this is true, then why doesn’t everyone have goals and take action on them? Everyone has there own motivating factors, so to generalize my answer would be unfair to everyone. However, I think for the most part, people are comfortable in the lives they’ve settled for. They’ve lost their passion and shelved their dreams. Simply put, they’ve become lazy and complacent. That doesn’t mean that can’t get their fire back, it just means they haven’t been exposed to the tools and strategies that bring them back to their driving force.
That being said, what are the tools and strategies that get you back there? I will go over those in a later post, or you can contact me directly and I’ll help you(www.gregkaroly.com or 414-375-8805). That is a completely different discussion and far more extensive than I can address in one post. What I will address are the steps necessary to really set your goals for maximum drive and results. There are a number of models to set goals preached about today: BHAG’s and SMART are the two most predominant models. Both are good, and both can produce some results. However, neither has any drive behind them or real structure to get you the really explosive results you’re after. Let’s look at them.
Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAG’s) – what a killer name, but what a flop. It’s an awesome name usually applied to your normal goals. It’s a quantifying word that makes you feel good about a traditional goal. Now, where’s the strategy behind BHAG’s that shows you how to achieve your goal? THERE ISN’T ONE. So no what? You’re forced to apply the traditional SMART model; a boring model that has zero drive or passion behind it. The SMART model was designed by a geek, in my honest opinion. Using this model totally kills the effectiveness of the emotion surrounding BHAG’s acronym. SMART says goals should be: Smart, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, & Timely. How depressing! When has anything great ever been accomplished by being attainable and realistic. Those words alone, tell you to lower your standards and shoot to low. Of all the words associated with the SMART model, timely and measurable are accurate. That’s it. Timely, because you need a deadline. Measurable, because you cannot manage what you cannot measure. Now throw the rest away, and let’s start doing goals the right way – MY WAY.
Here is my base system for getting everything you want in life. I will list the steps absolutely necessary to achieve your goals, and if you want to know more of the thought process behind them and help implementing them, call or email me, and I will hook you up!
- What are your dreams and/or fantasies for your life? Or what were they if you’ve lost them?
- Write them down in the present as though you’ve already accomplished them.
- Do not water them down
- Draw or paint a crystal clear picture, with words or images, so you see it as bright and clear as your hand in front of your face.
- Write down what accomplishing this goal will do for you in every area of your life: spiritually, financially, health-wise, relationships with yourself and other, career-wise.
- Write down what it will cost you in every area of your life if you don’t achieve this. Be brutally honest and be very specific. Drive it home.
- Write down all of your resources, tangible and intangible, that you have access to. Remember, leaders maximize their resources!
- List any obstacles you can think of, and list ways you can mitigate as many as possible. Even list things such as, my friends or family will not support me or make fun of me. This is important.
- Who can help you achieve your goal?
- What special skills or knowledge do you need to acquire?
- Write down your action plan
- Write down your specific target date
- Sign your name to this
- Do two actions immediately, one big and one small, that will move you towards your ultimate result.
I know this seems lengthy, and it is, but do it a couple of times and it goes fast, it’s fun, and watch your dreams start coming true. There is, I have to admit, a little more to the process that I left out. Specifically, there is a more emotional element involved that I must relate to you face-to-face. It makes this process so much fun and completely fulfilling and rewarding. My hope is that someday we can connect in person and make your life the masterpiece you desire. These steps will get you moving in a direction far superior to 96 1/2% of the population though. Make it happen, and start today. Until we meet in person…
To your massive success!
Greg
www.gregkaroly.com
greg@gregkaroly.com
(414) 375-8805