Dear <$salutation$>,

Goal setting

Do you have vague ideas floating around in your head of things you want? Accompanied perhaps with negative "reasons" for why you can't have them? [WISHFUL THINKER]

OR

Do you have positive intentions? [GOAL SETTER]

You can change from WISHFUL THINKER to GOAL SETTER in a few easy steps.

Deal with that negative self-talk...

Can you see what happens when a wishful thinker turns herself into a goal setter? From anxious, vague, negative and passive she becomes capable, realistic, positive - and active. (And, incidentally, much more fun).

Goal setters take action. And the first action is to get organised...

Goal line-up

Begin a notebook. Important things are going to get written in here, wishful thoughts will be transformed into goals. And everything you write will be couched in positive language - if you think "problem", write "challenge".

Let's look first at a preliminary challenge faced by many people:

Goal statements

Right, you've decided which wishful thoughts are going to become present intentions. Start a new page in your book and get a red pen or something. You're going to make them (or it) look good and, vitally, you're going to use empowering words:

Positive present tense

Note 1: It really does help to write things down rather than just think them.

Note 2: Using the present tense of the verb is vital. The subliminal message to your brain is that you're en route already.

From here on we'll talk about a single goal; obviously you'll apply everything helpful to each of your goals if you are running more than one.

Goal steps

Does your goal scare you a bit?

Good - provided it excites you as well*

Does it seem like you have an enormous mountain to climb here?

Well you know how mountains are climbed...

...step by step.

However overwhelming the challenge may seem, you can always break it down into smaller and smaller steps until the first step you see in front of you is definitively possible.

Here's a simple example from my new book:

"Perhaps you want to save £5,000 in a year. That works out at £416 per month. Or you could call it £104.16 per week or even £13.60 per day. That sounds much more manageable than £416.66 per month!"

See how precise we're being here. The goal itself has a figure on it - which leads to a precise target for the first step.

Sometimes you can't see the later steps clearly - that's OK, neither could Martin Luther King (see Pearls). Just make sure the first, or first few, steps are well-defined and achievable.

*If your goal doesn't excite you then read on.

Goal fizz

What if your priority list contains an undroppable goal you can't get excited about? Here's one way to give it a bit of fizz...

... and here are some more...

• Plan little rewards for yourself along the way - and a big reward at the end.
  
• Make sure that there are happy things going on in your life while you work towards the boring goal. (Maybe the journey towards another goal that does fire you up?) You might find that what starts as boring changes to satisfying and maybe even becomes exciting!
  
• Another way to add excitement depends on knowing how to motivate yourself. My housework-phobic colleague invites friends to stay - and then positively enjoys a big blitz getting her disorganised house ready to welcome them. She's using the knowledge of her eventual reward as her motivation.

Goal practicalities

My new book contains many tips for successful goal achievement; here are a few that are particularly relevant to getting started:

• Ask others for advice but always follow your own gut instincts and heart
  
• Think about whether you need to learn new skills
  
• Understand the importance of discipline and self-control
  
• Time management and a happy work-life balance are important

Pearls of wisdom

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. Take the ladder of success one day at a time, by seeing each step, living each step and appreciating each step

- Martin Luther King

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

- Chinese proverb

Join me on radio

I'll be special guest on Sound Alternatives next week with Francesca Cassini and Carl Munson. You can join us live by phone and ask questions on Tuesday 26 May at 7pm by calling 0844 84 84 84 0 and entering the exclusive PIN 14211.

Calls cost just 2p per min and you can listen from the comfort of your own home - an exciting, green way to hear uplifting and inspiring information. See www.soundalternatives.co.uk.

Last word

In future issues we'll look at keeping going with your goals, and we'll help anyone searching for their own big goal.

There's a lot more help on achieving goals in my new book, "Master Your Own Destiny". Publication has been delayed but there'll be news of the book launch soon - and if you want to order it in advance you'll still get the 15% discount I promised.

For more details, or to place an order, just let me know your name, address and telephone number using any of these methods:

tel: 01245 361 274        email      write to me (address at end)

And if you know anyone who'd enjoy reading this newsletter, please use the link below to send them a copy.