Make 2006 Your Best Year Ever!
Another year is upon us and if you are like most people you have
hit the floor running without planning a clear objective for the
upcoming year. However, top performing sales people make the
time to establish clear targets. Setting goals is not a
complicated process nor does it take a lot of time. Use the
techniques outlined in this article to help you achieve your
targets.
Ensure each of your goals follows the SMART concept: Specific,
Motivational, Action-oriented, Relevant to your situation, and
Time-bound. For example, "I will increase my sales by 15%
compared to last year." Be as specific about your goal as
possible. "I will start my own catering business" is a lot
stronger than "I want to go into business for myself."
Challenging goals are motivating. Set goals that will push
beyond what you usually think you can accomplish. Remember to
set a deadline. A goal without a deadline is simply a dream.
Attach a realistic yet challenging deadline for accomplishment
and post this where you can review it regularly. Phrase your
goal in the present tense and assume success. Don't say, "I want
to." Say, "I will." This subtle technique tells your
subconscious that you have already achieved your goal which
means it will go work at helping the goal become a reality. It
will attract the people, places, and situations you need to
achieve that goal. Put them in writing. This simple act helps
you clarify your goals and will allow you to visualize them more
effectively. I recommend that you record each goal on a separate
index card and review them twice a day - once in the morning
(when you first wake up) and again before you go to bed. This
process reinforces your goals, acts as a reminder and drives
your goals deep into your subconscious. In fact, this is one of
the most powerful strategies you can use to achieve your
targets. List the benefits you intend to receive by achieving
each goal. This will keep you focused and strong particularly
when you face the inevitable roadblocks and barriers. Years ago,
when I chose to quit smoking, I listed 75 benefits and when I
felt the urge for a cigarette I would review this list to help
me get past that craving. The more benefits you can list for
your goals, the more motivating those goals will become. As you
review your goals each morning and evening, picture yourself
achieving each of them. The more you can "see" success in your
mind's eye, the more likely you can translate this into reality.
Create a perfect picture in your mind and replay it frequently.
Developing a picture board can help with this. This is a very
effective tool that allows you to see the visual impact of
achieving your goals. When my wife and I bought our first house
we clipped photographs and pictures of what we wanted our house
to have and pasted them on to a large sheet of poster board. We
hung this near the front door of our apartment so we could see
it every time we left or entered the apartment. We also created
a thermometer of "down-payment savings" to help us track our
progress. We had a clear deadline and were able to surpass this
deadline by almost 30 days. I now keep track of my annual
revenues, speaking engagements and book sales in the same
manner. I post these sheets on my office wall where I can see
them everyday and they allow me to track my progress with a
quick glance. Anticipate the challenges you will encounter and
plan how you will overcome them. This will prepare you for them
and help you overcome the obstacles easier and with less stress.
In fact, the simple act of planning for obstacles will often
prevent many of them from occurring. Surround yourself with
successful, motivated people who also set challenging goals. I
share my goals with several friends and associates. When we get
together, we motivate each other by talking about our success,
our challenges, and our goals. A word of caution: Be careful who
you share your goals with. People who are not goal-oriented will
not support you, and in many cases, will actually try to
dissuade you from your goals. Use affirmations. If you plan to
quit smoking repeat statement such as, "I enjoy the lifestyle of
a non-smoker," "I'm glad I'm a non-smoker," "I enjoy the taste
of food more as a non-smoker." Stating affirmations aloud
reinforces your goal to your mind and will help you achieve your
goal much faster. Take action. Don't procrastinate. All the
planning in the world will not help you achieve your goals. You
MUST take action. Once you have determined a goal for yourself,
take action within 24 hours. This will set the wheels in motion
and create the necessary momentum you need. I once heard a
speaker state, "We are either moving toward or away from our
goals." Develop the habit of taking action on a daily basis.
Achieving greatness and a higher level of success is not that
difficult. However, it does require discipline, focus and a
clear idea of what you want to accomplish. Follow these steps
and have your best year ever!