An
observation I have made during the past eight
years coaching top producers is that they are
tremendous goal setters. They are more consistent
at goal setting than average producers. How can
this be? I call it "The power of goal setting."
Each
month I am contacted by numerous financial
advisors wanting to discuss working with me. I ask
each of them to fax or e-mail their most recent
goals to me for review. Over 75% indicate they do
not have them in writing, yet they wonder why they
don't have the success they
want!
The
financial service business is rapidly changing,
and you are faced with more decisions, meetings,
activities, deadlines, etc. I believe the key to
success in your business and in your personal life
is a goal setting process. Developing a regular
"success ritual" of writing out your goals in
detail will give you the clarity and focus to take
your business to new heights. Below I have
outlined a process I personally use and encourage
all my clients to adopt.
Developing
Your Goal Setting Ritual:
Let's start with the obvious. You must commit to
making time to think and write your goals
out. It is best done during the part of
the day when you are at maximum energy. Get a
hard-bound journal or writing pad-no legal pads
(they're too easy to lose, besides we want to keep
a on-going log of your success). Pick a place
where you will not be interrupted, conference
room, office, park, beach, etc. Being focused on
the task is critical!
Do
not try and set goals just because you have
blocked out time. Goal setting is an on-going
process. If you are having difficulty in coming up
with goals, take a break and begin again in a day
or two. It is more important to be inspired by
your goals then being held to an articificial
deadline.
Many
people set the wrong or poor goals, do not achieve
them and then become negative toward the entire
goal setting process. Make sure your goals have
meaning to you!
How
To Set Goals:
There
are many ways to set goals. Here are the steps I
recommend:
1.
Break down your life into specific categories
(business, personal, family, heath,
etc.).
2.
In a bulleted format, list what you want as a goal
in each category.
3.
Don't worry about how you are going to
achieve a goal.
4.
Write down why the goal is important to
you.
5.
Give the goal a specific
deadline.
6.
Write what actions you must take on a daily basis
to achieve your goal.
7.
Write out what you will reward yourself with when
you attain this goal.
Example:
(Health)
What:
Keep my body weight at 180
lbs.
Why:
This is my ideal weight. I feel my best
with a lot of energy.
By:
Throughout the entire
year.
How:
Run each morning for 20 min. Weight train 4
times a week for 30 min.
Reward:
Many years of an active lifestyle and the lifespan
to enjoy my future
grandchildren.
How
Often To Set Goals:
I
am a firm believer that goal setting is a
continuous, life-long process. Try blocking out
two half-days a year for your major business
planning and goal setting process (the beginning
of July and the month of December). Each month
allocate two hours to set, review and refine your
goals. Each day start by reviewing each goal and
focus on what you have to do to accomplish that
goal for that day.
Follow
these guidelines and you will notice a sense of
clarity and new energy in your business and your
life!
