I’m excited because these goals are completely aligned with the life I want to create, and I know that I’m actively designing my results.

I’m apprehensive because:

1. Some of the goals are bigger than anything I’ve done before. I can’t yet rely on the familiarity of “been there done that” because it’s new territory for me. In some cases I don’t have a clue what the next (or first) step ought to be, never mind have the whole action plan drafted with steps, due dates, etc.
2. I have a lot on my plate. I’m testing my sanity by taking on as much as I have in the hopper right now.

Nonetheless, I’m confident that this will be a great year and I’ll maintain the “work/life” balance I want and still achieve the goals I’ve set. Why? Here’s what I know:

• I’m more bought-in to my vision than my current reality.
• I have capable resources on my team to help drive more progress faster than I could as a one-person company.
• There are a number of proven daily practices I follow that I trust will lead the way for me.

I’m particularly excited about the daily practices I’m following, so let me share some of them with you now.

• Start each day with gratitude. I write a couple lines in my “Gratitude Journal” each day to keep me grounded about all the good I already have.
• Meditate. I find that meditation quiets my often overactive mind and helps me focus on the things that will be the highest impact.
• Eat well, sleep well, and exercise. I have shifted my diet to include lots of fruits and vegetables and nothing that is (or will become) refined sugars. I monitor the hours I sleep to get at least eight hours more frequently than I used to. I lift weights, burst, or do other exercises every day. This has given me much greater mental focus and energy all day long.
• Visualize and affirm your goals as already complete. For each goal I have, I know exactly what success looks like. In fact, I’ve written out my “success criteria” in a Dear God Letter for each goal, and review what I’ve written. I’ve also written affirmations for each goal – a present tense statement about me enjoying the success of the goal – and say my affirmations out loud.
• Commit to 3-5 actions toward your goals. I have an accountability partner call where I share my steps I commit to take prior to the next call, and report my success from the previous day’s commitment.

Because I follow a set of daily routines, I am confident that I will figure out what needs to be done to achieve my goals and get great results this year. See why I’m thrilled this will be my best year ever?

* * *

Want to jump in with both feet? Do ALL the above daily practices. Not sure which one to try? Pick one of the daily practices above and do it every day this week, and continue until you’ve turned it into a habit.

To your highest success,

Pete Winiarski

How is a goal different from one of the “New Year’s Resolutions” many of us have set (and perhaps broken already)? For me, it’s the process around it. Let me illustrate the difference and share what I do in my annual goal-setting process.

At dinner on New Year’s Eve, I asked the 15 people in my kitchen, “So, what is your breakthrough goal for the year?” The answers that came back ranged from “um, I don’t know”, to “I will be nice to one co-worker this year”. (By the way, I asked for clarification – “is that one a day, or one for the whole year?” The person shared that it was for the whole year, as that way if they were nice to them this coming week then they would achieve their goal. I’m not sure this is a stretch for them, but at least they won’t likely miss their goal!)

This type of goal-setting isn’t really part of the success principles I teach that will launch you forward toward creating the life you want to live, but rather the frivolous “party games” you might play without having to put much thought or commitment into them.

Two elements that make goals at this time of year worth having are that …

1) they align with where you want to go, and
2) you are committed to their achievement.

You can see that these elements are missing from the examples above. “Um, I don’t know” shows lack of alignment, or even not knowing where to go in the first place. The boat adrift at sea without a rudder, as mentioned above.

“Be nice to one co-worker this year” (one for the entire year!) is not about committing to a change that will stretch who you are, but about low-balling to set a goal that is easy to achieve.

Here’s the process I follow. Notice how this helps align and focus me so that I am working on the most important things toward creating my future deliberately.

First, I invest some time to define what I want my life to look like in 3 (or more) years. I meditate, journal, talk to my wife, consider my wants and needs, and end up with a pretty good picture of what the near-term future holds. I do this across all areas of my life, not just the career and financial outlook like many of us do.

I’ll then set specific 3-year goals to describe this holistic picture. Generally this works best if they are big-picture goals, and there are only a few of them (e.g., 3 or 4 is ideal).

I then take each of these 3-year goals and define what would need to happen this year to define the goals for the year for me in order to feel that the progress toward my 3-year future picture is going to get me there.

Once my goals for the year are established, I brainstorm the different things I need to do and set monthly targets so I know during the year if I’m on track.

I’ll even create detailed action plans for each one so I know with clarity what I need to do to hit these goals. Now, it’s up to me to make the progress; but at least I know what I need to do to get where I’m going.

Lastly, as I execute my plans, I review my progress on a monthly basis so that I can be sure I’m on track or need to make course corrections.

You can see that after going through this process, I have a very clear picture of what I want to create in my life and what I would need to do to create it. This includes my fun time, so it’s not all work and no play.

Plus, I am much better prepared to answer the question about my most important goals at a party!

Note: this is a simplified version of a process called Strategic Goal Deployment™ that I use with corporate clients. Imagine an entire business aligned and focused on all the right activities to achieve their strategy!

* * *

Invest a few minutes this week in thinking about what you want to achieve by the end of 2010, and set a few goals right now.

Also, compare this approach to the one Robert MacPhee describes in the interview with him this month – I’m interested in your thoughts about how these two methods are similar and different.

To your highest success,

Pete Winiarski

Note: Some of the links above are my affiliate links, and I receive referral fees.  I’m sharing them with you because I believe in them and think you will benefit, too.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it:

Pete Winiarski is a Results Coach and Consultant, and the founder of the Institute of Success and Goal Achievement. If you want to enable more Fun, Fulfillment, and Freedom in your life, then get your F*REE silver membership at i-saga.net

Want a CD or Transcript of this interview? Click Here!

Our guest this week, the “Destiny Doctor” Tony Magee has lots of charisma, style, and energy that will keep you inspired as you collect tons of tips and insights.


Additionally, here are some things you will learn in this interview with Tony:

• The difference between a “Breaking Point” and a “Turning Point”
• The most important thing for all humankind
• The dream you have that is identical to everyone else’s dream
• Tony’s fast-track to prosperity – 6 important steps
• A special message to entrepreneurs

Also, here’s a direct link to Tony’s 12 life essentials in case you were not able to write as fast as he talks: http://www.platinumstar.com/essentials.asp

Here are a couple quick questions:

• What are your annual goals for this year?
• Are they balanced so that you are getting more financial freedom, fun, and fulfillment in your life?
• Are you half-way there?
• Do you have things in the works to ensure you will hit them all by the end of this year?
• Do you know where to go to get help if you’re falling behind?

Consider these questions as you’re enjoying the family BBQ this weekend. I hope your responses are insightful and lead you to a renewed sense of excitement for the 2nd half of the year.

As you think of the actions you will take and help you might seek, remember to include listening to the guest interviews at the Institute of Success and Goal Achievement – we’re here to help accelerate your results and get you more financial freedom, fun, and fulfillment.