15th May 2017

The ten commandments of successful goal setting

It is no fun being all things to all people and doing everything for everyone! Too many businesses try and do so many things because they have always done them. An ingredient of a successful person is the ability to say no and move on from activities that add no real value to your business or hold you back from achieving your goals. To help you focus on your goals, I would like to share with you what I call the 10 commandments of successful goal setting.

How many do you break?

1. Thou shalt not fear success. Many people fear failure, others fear embarrassment but when setting goals and looking to the future far too many people fear success. This is actually a fear of the change that achieving your goal will bring. Have courage and believe in what you want to achieve and you will find that success is a far better place than failure.
2. Honour thyself and not the clock. We are all busy and deadlines occur and need to be met. However, don’t lose sight of your own development and ensure you allocate time to prepare your evolution plan, where you can detail the steps you will take personally to improve as a person and in your career.
3. Thou shalt not covet your neighbour’s life. It’s natural to compare yourself to others and perhaps view enviously their success. Don’t do this, it can only lead to pain and be counterproductive. Instead, focus on your own goals and visualise your personal success.
4. Thou shalt not spin too many plates. Trying to do everything usually results in achieving very little. You can also dilute your success by focusing on the wrong areas. Identify what will produce the best results and give it your all and ignore distractions.
5. Remember the clock make it work for you. Plan your time effectively. Ensure you allocate space in your daily agenda for the goals you have set yourself. Write a list, it works.
6. Thou shalt not dither. Positive actions will eventually lead to successful outcomes. Failure is taking time to dream about success and doing nothing about it. Make things happen every day.
7. Thou shalt be realistic. The most powerful element of the SMART Goal mnemonic for me is the word ‘Realistic’. A goal that is unrealistic for whatever reason will not happen. Furthermore, failing to achieve this goal can have a detrimental effect on your enthusiasm and determination to succeed. Don’t let that happen and always set realistic goals.
8. Remember to avoid negative people.  Life is hard enough without spending it with people who won’t help you achieve success.
9. Thou shalt keep your eye on the prize.  Success does not happen overnight. It is the result of applying good habits that become elements of your DNA. If your goals are SMART and your plan is realistic then success will happen. Just be patient.
10. Thou shalt do as you say. I will do it tomorrow is not acceptable. If you have an idea, plan it, focus on success and do it. Don’t make excuses, because eventually tomorrow won’t come.

Finally, as part of your goals and action plan for 2017 I’d urge you all to list what you know you can stop doing for others or what restricts your personal growth. It’s not easy but an exercise well worth doing. Also, if combined with the Ten Commandments it can both empower and energise you and your business. Check out our next bright talk session where we explore these commandments in more depth

John Joe McGinley Glassagh Consulting May 2017

Business Development, John Joe McGinley, Glassagh Consulting