17th July 2017

Tell the world and then walk the talk

I have written many articles on goal setting.  In these I have given tips, hints and hopefully some insight into how to make your goals happen.

However, the best piece of advice I can give anyone is that no matter how much you desire your goal if you don’t write it down it will remain unfulfilled.

For you to make your ideas happen, you need to write them down. So that’s why I have produced a range of simple templates to help anyone make their ideas a reality.

I have worked with Panacea Adviser to share with you 9 simple tools which cover the areas I feel the modern business has to cover to be successful now and in the future. One of the most important of these is how to make your business goals more manageable and even enjoyable.

I have produced a simple goals template. In this I ask six focused questions, that if you answer truthfully, will ensure the ideas and dreams you have in your head start to take shape and will evolve into successful goals.

So what are the six questions?

The first is:

1. 1.     What is the specific goal that you want to achieve?

• Write your goals down — this makes them more real and helps you stick to them.
• Make each goal a positive statement.
• Be precise — include dates, times and amounts so that you can measure your achievement.

Then the emotional question has to be asked:

1. 2.     Why do you want to achieve this goal?

• Detail what drives you to achieve this goal.
• Write down what will motivate you to succeed.
• Be aware of what feelings may arise that could hamper your progress and plan to overcome them.

It is important to be fully aware of your current situation so answer:

1. 3.     Where are you currently starting from as it relates to this goal?

• Be frank detail what the issues are where you start from and be honest about any problems this is causing for you. This will motivate you to achieve your goals

Then it’s time to detail the steps you will take to succeed and answer:

1. 4.     How will you achieve this goal? List each individual action step and deadline.

• Keep low-level goals small — by setting yourself small goals each day, you'll be more likely to achieve them and feel that you're making progress.
• Focus on performance, not outcome — make sure your goals depend on your efforts, rather than external factors you have no control over.
• Be realistic — think about what's really involved in each goal so you don't set yourself impossible targets.  Don't let other people set unrealistic goals for you.

Life is hard enough without having to do things all by yourself, so seek help and make sure you answer:

1. 5.     Who will be involved in helping you achieve this goal?

• Identify their specific role.
• Be clear on why they can help you.
• Also identify potential alliances who could help you if approached.

Then as a goal without a deadline is just a dream, you have to be specific and detail timescales and answer:

1. 6.     When will you achieve this goal?

• Identify a specific date.
• Remember to be realistic.
• Make sure you can really reach this date.

One final tip when you do this and have answered the questions, is this. I would urge you all to sign your goal and put it up on your wall. This is your contract with yourself. Then once you have your goal and written it down tell the world and then walk the talk.

I wish you all good luck in your goal setting efforts and make sure to download the copy of the new tools guide from Panacea Adviser

John Joe McGinley

Glassagh Consulting

Simple tools and templates to drive your business forward can be downloaded here

John Joe McGinley, Glassagh Consulting, Business Development