How To Achieve Your Goals In Five Simple Steps

By Lachlan Haynes


Goal setting is the true secret to success in any area of life. But although setting a goal may seem simple, achieving it is usually another question altogether. This is because you will never achieve your goals unless you: (1) know exactly what you want, (2) are passionate about your goal, and (3) have a solid, realistic plan of action. This is what makes the difference between vague dreams and wishes - and truly achievable goals! Many obstacles and challenges will fly right in your face when you're going after a goal. But here are 5 time-tested methods that will help get the success you deserve.

1. Know exactly what your goal is. Your first job is to discover exactly what your goal is. What will achieving that goal really look like? Be as specific as possible about exactly what your desired end result is. Your success will be a measure of your clarity - since an achievable goal plan cannot be created around a vague "dream."

Do you want to make $10,000 profit in your business this year? Do you want to save up $5,000 each year to buy a new Mercedes? Do you want to pay off your mortgage within the next 3 years? The more specific you are with your goals, the easier it is to target them and make them work for you. Simply dreaming that "one day" you will pay off your mortgage, buy a flashy new Mercedes, or make some profit on your business, will not help you in envisioning and achieving your goals. Sometimes, success for a person may be the feeling of being able to achieve these goals, not necessarily the object itself. That's perfectly fine - it doesn't matter what your goals are, as long as you, the goal setter, are mentally clear about what it is you want, because then that's the only way you can focus and make it work.

2. Be willing to pay the "entry fee". Success isn't achieved by sitting and waiting for things to happen. Achieving a goal and having a set plan to achieve it by go hand in hand. Think of yourself as an author writing a story. You have a rough idea in your head of the plot line of your next novel (which is going to be a bestseller by the way!) You write that down on paper, and slowly but surely, the plot line develops into a solid story. You start developing the characters, their nuances, and their influence on your plot. You start mapping out the events in your story that will help your novel to develop. The moment that roughly thought out plot line becomes a solid story, it becomes a novel. Now apply this methodology to setting out a plan to achieve your goal. But consider the "entry fee" to this as well.

If your goal is paying off your mortgage in 3 years, then that means having to forego having dinner out every weekend. If your goal is to top your guitar class, it means spending more time practicing and less time socializing. This is the "full glass" concept - if you have a set routine and a set number of activities in your life which are keeping you busy, then there's no room for anything more. Make the time for yourself so that you can achieve your goals.

3. Focus on your goal every day. Never underestimate the power of visualization! Putting your mental focus on your goal every day is what programs your brain to believing that you have it already. We always attract what we think. If you're constantly focusing on how achieving your goal is hard, then it really is hard! These are called limiting beliefs and most often they are deeply rooted in your subconscious. Instead, focus on what you do want to happen. Visualize it. Imagine that you have it already and feel like you have it already. This will trick your brain into thinking you have already achieved it, and then things will start rolling from there.

Re-commit to your goal every day. Don't let your goal take a back seat to the daily tasks and distractions that will try to take over. Life will try to get in your way. Just get, and stay, on course every day. Focus on your goal, and on your success!

4. Get passionate. One of the most powerful tools in your "success tool box" is having real passion for your goal. Why passion? Because intense passionate desire for your goal will help you burn in those new neural pathways even faster. Many scientific studies have shown that intense emotion (i.e. passion) is a key success tool. Plus (and this is really a big plus), intense passion will also help you rapidly override any inappropriate old "failure messages" stored in your subconscious mind.

5. Take consistent action. This is the most intuitive but probably the most difficult step. You can sit and make goals and make a plan to achieve your goal, but unless you actually take action towards achieving your goals, it won't happen! The key is to take one small action after another - but take action you must! If you want to get an A+ in your Geography paper, then learn a new geographical term every day. Eventually, you will have mastered enough knowledge to be well on your way to getting that A+. The fruits of your labor will always pay off. Wishing for things to happen will not make them happen!

Remember, life is simply what you make of it. You can create the life you desire, provided you know what it is that you want and focus on it with passion. This intense passion and focus can only bear fruit if you take action. Don't just dream about it, do it!




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