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When I joined my first mastermind group about six years ago it came as a surprise to them that I had never had a goal. That was absolutely true too. Think of me as a leaf in the wind, blowing wherever the wind took me. At that time in my life having no goals suited me since I had no clear destination in mind. It wasn’t until I realised that I could be around for a lot longer and wouldn’t be able to enjoy my life as I got older if I didn’t consider my financial situation. People that I knew had big plans for retiring somewhere on the beach in the sun. However as I read more personal development I came to the conclusion that although that sounded few people actually have a plan to achieve that, and so it doesn’t usually happen.

So in my first mastermind group I had to set goals. Now I’ve found that the best way to set goals is to think about your final outcome and work backwards. If you haven’t heard of SMART goals and there are several variations on the this theme but for me the acronym stands for:

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Relevant

Timely

Specific:  This answers questions such as “Who”, “What”, “Where”, “Which” “When” and “Why”. Why can be the most motivational part since that cam keep you going when you really don’t what to.

Measurable: This answers questions such  “How will I know when I’ve reached my goal?” You need to be able to establish your progress because if you can’t measure it then you can’t manage it.  

Attainable: You want something that will make you stretch but not make you feel that it’s impossible. There can always be smaller goals that you can celebrate along the way to attaining bigger goals.

Relevant: Is your goal moving you towards your purpose in life? Make sure that they are in line with your purpose and mission - if they are not you will find that they will be quickly forgotten about.

Timely: You need a time frame to create some sense of urgency and motivation. You don’t want to work on the “some day” principle because most people find that “some day” never comes.

Goals can cover every area of your life and certainly not just work and financial and when you write them make sure to cover all areas.

Goals are written down. If a goal isn’t written down then it’s just a dream. They are stated in the present tense rather than the future tense so “I am” rather than “I will”.

They are also positive rather than negative. So rather than stating “I don’t drink fizzy drinks anymore” you can say “I enjoy drinking water”.

Once you have your end goal or long term goal then you can work backwards and fill in the plan. Don’t be surprised if opportunities open up that move you towards your end goal, and you can make adjustments as necessary along the way.

Once you’ve written down your goals have them around the house so that you can read them at least once a day. I find that having them by the bathroom mirror is great since I read them while cleaning my teeth in the morning and that helps me focus in the rest of the day.

As well as reading your goals you’ll need to review them on a regular basis to make sure that you are moving towards them rather than away from them. How often you review them depends on the time scales that you have set for the goal.

So take some time out to set your goals in all areas of your life, and then to plan backwards so that you work out what you can start doing now.  

Trust Yourself

Have you ever heard of analysis paralysis? It’s when you are trying so hard to get things right, to make the right decision that you over analyse everything and often don’t end up making a decision at all. Of course not making a decision is still making a decision.

I always used to be trying to make the right choice. Analysing every little thing and following through the consequences. Let me say from experience that life it tough when you are doing that ALL the time over EVERY LITTLE thing. The amount of pressure I used to put on myself was amazing and of course I was never satisfied either.

What changed?

Some I met told me to trust myself. I said what of course I trust myself! She asked did I really? If I trusted myself I would know that I ALWAYS make the right decision. Well I replied looking back I can’t say that I always made the right decision. She asked if when I was looking back I knew the same information that I knew when I made the decision. Most of the time the answer would be no, after all hindsight is a wonderful thing! So knowing what I did back then would I have made another decision? No I would still make the same decision.

Trusting yourself releases pressure and stress and in our lives. We know that we will always make the right decision. Sometimes things will change and further down the road that decision may not seem to be as great as we first thought. Guess what that’s okay because now you get another chance to make a decision and it’s going to be right too.

Trust yourself to make the right decisions in your life. I’m not saying that you don’t have to think about it (although some people don’t and live fantastic lives) but don’t over analyse either.

Stress has been linked to many different diseases (dis-ease being out of balance, not in your natural state of ‘ease’) but as far as I’m aware happiness hasn’t been linked to any diseases.     

One definition of purpose is the reason for which something exists.

So why do you exist? What are you here for?

People need a sense of purpose in their lives. I experienced this myself some years ago when I couldn’t get an IT contract or job of any kind. I either had too much experience or not enough. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I equated my self worth with my business and when there was no business I didn’t have a purpose and I felt useless. Of course not everyone sees their job or business as their reason for being, and I’m happy to say that I haven’t done that for a long time now either.

So what is your purpose? What gives meaning to your life?

If you didn’t have to get up in the morning to go to work, or get the kids ready what would drive you to get out of bed?

I remember watching “The Secret” and hearing from one speaker that there is no blackboard in the sky with our purpose written on it. And I believe that’s true. I think it’s up to every one of us to choose for them selves what their purpose is. Often we are too busy rushing from one challenge to another to even think about it. So take some time out now and consider what makes you happy. When I did this I realised that what I loved (other than my husband, parents, friends and chocolate – not necessarily in that order!) is contributing to others. When I am concentrating on my little world any issues feel enormous and almost insurmountable but when I am concentrating on others then my issues fade away. I actually feel miserable when I’m not living out my purpose.

My purpose is to live life fully, to love, to laugh and to empower others to live the life of their dreams.

So choose what your purpose is and then act accordingly. Goals and other choices will be become so much easier when you know what your purpose is.

When you’ve chosen your purpose drop me a line since I’d love to hear what it is.

From Stephen Covey, author or The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

"Creating a Personal Mission Statement will be, without question, one of the most powerful and significant things you will ever do to take leadership of you life. In it you will identify the most important roles, relationships, and things in your life - who you want to be, what you want to do, to whom and what you want of give your life, the principles you want to anchor your life to, the legacy you want to leave. All the goals and decisions you will make in the future will be based upon it. It's like deciding first which wall you want to lean your ladder of life against, and then beginning to climb. It will compass - a strong source of guidance amid the stormy seas and pressing, pulling currents of you life."

So today we'll look at making a personal mission statement. Now< those of you who work for big corporations may be groaning about now. Company mission statements can be long winded and confusing - I know I've worked for that kind of company too but a good mission statement gives you direction and clarity about who want to become and what you want to achieve.

Some examples of company mission statements are:

Mary Kay Cosmetics - "To give unlimited opportunity to women"

Walt Disney - "To make people happy"

Ben & Jerrys - "To make, distribute & sell the finest quality all natural ice cream & euphoric concoctions with a continued commitment to incorporating wholesome, natural ingredients and promoting business practices that respect the Earth and the Environment"

Coca Cola - "To Refresh the World in body, mind, and spirit. To Inspire Moments of Optimism through our brands and our actions. To Create Value and Make a Difference...everywhere we engage"

As Stephen Covey says think about what is important to you in your life. These can be your values or qualities that you want to develop and then how you will develop them. It will clarify not only what you want in your life but what you will actually allow in your life. Personal mission statements are not cast in stone. They can be amended as you grow into the person that you want to become.

To inspire your own personal mission statement here is one personal mission statement that changed the world.

"Let the first act of every morning be to make the following resolve for the day:

* I shall not fear anyone on Earth.* I shall fear only God.

* I shall not bear ill will toward anyone.

* I shall not submit to injustice from anyone.

*I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering."

Mahatma Gandhi

So take some time out to write out your personal mission statement and read it every morning so that it can guide you through your life.