Ready, Set, Goals - Day 12: The GOAL Getters!

Getting after your goals is personal. No one is going to succeed, triumph, overcome for you, but there are champions of success who will work along with you, encourage you and guide you. You have to be a Goal Getter!

Most people want an easy solution. Most people want something for nothing and so they end up with nothing worthwhile. Most people want the results of setting GOALS without actually setting Goals.

You have gone through these 12 modules because you are not most people. You are among the few, the determined, the committed, the triumphant, the asking, seeking and knocking.



“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” Matthew 7:7

The formula it not mine. Jesus gave the formula over 2000 years ago.

Ask: first you have to ask for you want – believe you will receive it.

Seek: Do something about what you want – expect to get or find the answer.

Knock: The way or the opportunity will be revealed to you because you first asked and then sought (took action)

“For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:*

Most people stop right here. But there are other principles you must not ignore.



FAITH:

You must have faith. You must believe that your answer is on the way even thought you have none, zero, evidence that it is coming.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

The key to faith is belief. You must BELIEVE. Most people cannot or will not believe that their miracle is on the way, that their answer is coming, that the opportunity is about to manifest itself, that the door is moments away from opening-

So they sell out. They give up. They settle for the status quo. They sell their birthright. Their dream is negotiable. Don’t negotiate your dreams. Don’t put a price on your dreams.

You can put a time limit on when you want to achieve a goal. You can give a goal a date in which you want to reach it. And whether you accomplish your goal by that date or not, the important thing is that you keep going towards your goal even after that date passes.

With your dreams, you need to have more trust, faith and belief that God has it under control. Trust that you have asked, you seeking and you will find. Trust, believe and expect that the door will be opened.

Your goals are really LANDMARKS telling you that you are going in the right direction. Your goals are your map to your DREAMS. Your goals let you know that you are getting closer to your dream. Your goals keep you on target and moving forward.



SOW GOOD SEEDS

You also must sow good seeds. It is the “Law of the Harvest” If you want to reap (realize) your dreams, you have to plant seeds of faith, goodness, love, forgiveness, kindness, thankfulness, gratitude, peace, joy, etc. These are your SUCCESS SEEDS.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

Many people deceive themselves into thinking that they can reap good and great things by sowing seeds of strife, gossip, lying, cheating, spite, cruelty and yes even unbelief, worry, doubt, fear, blame, unforgiveness, etc. For most people this is again where they sell out. They sell their birthright, their dreams because they cannot or will not let go. Don’t let any of these be your price.

“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6

Your Outcome will equal your Effort. The point here is not that you Give to Get, but that you give bountifully no matter what the reward or benefit. But the cool thing is, you are going to benefit whether you want to or not. It’s God’s promise. It’s automatic. You cannot undo it.

You cannot Re-Negotiate the terms of this Law with God, and you cannot “out give” God either.


TITHING and GIVING

Now this may or may not be one of your key ingredients for success. But the richest and most successful people in history and today understand the importance of GIVING, especially TITHING.

They give not only of their time and talents, but also of their finances. This again, is where most people fail to understand why they are struggling to live their dreams, to have the abundant life that is their birthright. They have sold it for what they think they cannot or do no want to do- give ten percent in tithes. Tithing was their price – don’t let it be your price.

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. “ Luke 6:38



YOU HAVE GREATNESS WITHIN YOU ALREADY

I have not shared anything with you that you did not already know or have heard or read somewhere else. My GOAL in writing this series was to present some motivation, inspiration, projects, exercises and insight to get and keep you on track to your DREAMS.

We all need each other to keep us moving forward. Your comments, ideas and suggestions keep me excited about writing for you. My writing keeps you excited about living a triumphant life – I hope. Your living a triumphant life makes your family, community, city, country and the world more meaningful for everyone.

I touch or inspire you in a meaningful way. You touch someone’s life in a meaningful way, he or she in turn, pay-it-forward, and touch another person’s life in a meaningful way. I hear about it from someone and they touch my life in a meaningful way.

Exercise 14

You can start Paying It Forward by telling others about this Series.
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In this way we are all so busy giving to one another, we don’t have time to think about ourselves, and yet the blessings and miracles will start pouring in, so much so, that we will not be able to contain them. So we will give more, and more will be given to us. And we will give yet more, and more will be given us.

Are you getting the picture. Do you see why you cannot out give God.

God starts the whole thing off. By trusting, being thankful, and having faith in God miracles will begin to manifest in your life.

I understand that life can get to be a bit much and you can easily get side tracked. That is why I have made it possible for you to continue to stretch out towards your dreams through my newsletter, “The Goal Getters”

If you have not singed up for it yet, do it right now. Most people will try to go it alone. Even I have those who I look to for inspiration and guidance.

Each week you will get a reminder with motivation, inspiration, tips, etc. to get and keep you on track to your goals and dreams,

T.E.A.M. Together Everyone Achieves Miracles

Here’s To Living Your Dreams!

Ready, Set, Goals - Day 11: Are Your Dreams Non-Negotiable?

Your dreams are priceless. Success in achieving your goals depends in large part to the value you place on your goals and dreams. What is the amount of money you would take in place of your dreams?
That is a critical question because it determines at what price point you will say, “Dreams, they never come true anyways.”

People come up with a gazillion excuses as to why they have not yet realized or at least started toward their dreams.






Some of the more famous excuses are…

“I don’t have the time.”

“I don’t have the money.”

“I could never do that, it was just a dream.”

“I’ll do it when I get older.”

“I’ll do it when the kids are grown up.”

“There’s no money in it.”

“What would people think.”

“I’m too old now, I should have done it when I was younger.”

“I have a family to support.”

                      …and on and on the list goes.


A Small Price on His Birthright: The Story of Jacob and Esau (Gen 25:20 - 28:5)

Esau and Jacob were twin brothers. Esau was the oldest by a few minutes, so he was entitled to the birthright and inheritance. But his brother Jacob was their mother’s favorite son. She came up with a plan to help Jacob buy the birthright from his brother Esau.

Jacob made some lentil soup and when his brother Esau had returned home after working very, very hard, he asked Jacob for some lentil soup. Jacob agreed to give him some lentil soup if he would give up his birthright. Esau was so hungry that he agreed to give up his birthright, his inheritance for a bowl of lentils.

Esau sold his birthright for a measly bowl of lentils. That was his price. That is what he was willing to take in exchange for his dream. But there is a second part to the story. Although Jacob had bought the birthright he still needed the blessing of his father Isaac.

Jacob’s mother helped him disguise himself as Esau. You see Esau was a very hairy man so Jacob’s mother helped him cover himself with hair and she also prepared his fathers favorite meal. Now with his disguise and meal in hand, Jacob went in unto his father who could barely see.

His father was suspicious because Jacob didn’t sound like Esau. His father reached over and felt his arms and thanks to the disguise, Jacob fooled his father and received the blessing. You can imagine that when Esau found out he was highly upset. In fact, he wanted to kill Jacob.

Jacob’s had to flee for his life. Jacob had the birthright and the blessing, but he had to give up everything to get them. Esau sold his birthright and lost the blessing because one night he was hungry.

What will you take in exchange for your dream?

Like Esau many sell their dreams for a meal, or a meal ticket. They give up on their dreams for a secure (not so much anymore) job. A job is fine if it’s your DREAM Job. Maybe you always dreamed of being a doctor or a teacher or a nurse. Then by all means go for your dream job.

Now that you have identifies your goals and dreams you must develop and determination and perseverance to accomplish them. Again, most people get this far and not much farther. The purpose of the series is to,

Help you Identify your goals and dreams, and to declare Why you want to achieve them, then to Expect to achieve and finally, take Action towards achieving them.

Yes, there will be challenges and days you just want to take the easy road. There will be days you wish you could just win the lottery and buy your dreams. But the truth is you cannot buy your dreams either.

If you go out and somehow artificially but your dreams you deprive yourself of the journey and the person you will become as a result of going for your dreams. True success cannot be bought, it must be earned. Jacob bought the birthright but he still needed to earn the blessing, and he only got that by deception too. That is why God changed his name from Jacob, which means deceiver, to Israel.

Do not deceive yourself into thinking that you can live a “life on purpose” while denying yourself of “your purpose in life.”

This is a step that many people skip in setting goals. And it is a major reason they do not ever reach those goal. A resolution is a promise to change something in your life that you are not satisfied with, whereas a goal or dream is a passionate desire to fulfill your right to an abundant life. In other words, you seek a lifestyle change. You seek purpose and value and meaning in your life.

What is the most famous new years resolution? I think it is “This year I’m going to lose weight.” Of course there are others like stop smoking, stop drinking, read more, spend more time with kids, etc.

Now the reason this resolution does not make it into February is because it is not attached to some greater purpose. That is why I spent so much time having you declare your WHY. Why is it your goal or dream? Your why has to be strong, unbreakable, non-negotiable.

People will try to negotiate you out of your dreams. They do this for selfish reasons and if you probe long enough you will discover it to be thus. Watch out for negative people who will try to make you feel silly for having a dream.

I know some of you might be thinking, yes, but you do not know what it’s like living with so and so, or working at such and such company, or being broke or losing a loved one, or, or, or…

I do know what most of those situations are like, but I also know I had a choice to accept them and remain in bondage to them, or to overcome them and use them as building blocks for reaching my dreams and accomplishing my goals.

"Problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them."  ~Einstein

If you think your problems are holding you back – then they certainly will hold you back all of your life.

But if you think of your problems as experiences and opportunities to climb to great heights in success, personal growth, quality of life and dream builders, then they will certainly be that for you.

I know this is the hard part. That is why I will be with you every step of the way. Each week I will send you a reminder to keep moving forward. In that reminder will be testimonials, motivation, Inspiration, insight, tips, ideas and resources to keep you on track.

You need to subscribe to my weekly newsletter, “The Goal-Getters”

You assignment is to catch up on any of the previous post and/or sit back and visualize what your new life will be like. Use all five senses and really imagine your amazing new life with your goals accomplished and your dreams realized. Again, be specific and see it as clearly as you can. Smile and breathe deeply and think thoughts of gratitude.

Ready, Set, Goals - Day 10: Are You a Soaring Eagle or a Circling Buzzard?

Eagles are goal-oriented birds. They are success minded and use their various skills toward a specific aim or purpose.

Buzzards on the other hand are weak-minded, opportunistic birds. They too have aim and purpose, but their intent is to get what they can by the efforts of others – to take advantage of others.

The masses choose the buzzard lifestyle. Think about a buzzard (aka. Vulture). It is of the family of eagles and hawks, but is far from the majesty and grandeur of an eagle. Why? Because buzzards spot something that is dying and then circle above it waiting for it to die so they can eat.



The Mentality of the Buzzard

Why doesn’t the buzzard kill it itself or finish it off? Because of fear. Buzzards have weak claws. They live off the hard work of other animals. They live a life of hoping and waiting for their next meal to be served up by some other animal.

Most people are the same way. They won’t admit it, but it is true. They need someone else to provide for them whether it’s the government or an employer.

The culprit is fear. Fear will keep you in bondage to a so-so life. But there is an undercurrent of fear. People simply sell their birth right of an abundant and prosperous life because of fear of the unknown, or more simply put, hunger. We’ll get deeper into fear and overcoming fear on day eleven.

The Mentality of the Eagle

I don’t know of any country that has chosen the buzzard for their national symbol. When people see an eagle whether in person or in a picture or on a movie screen their reaction is always one of awe. Why? Because the symbolic power, strength and freedom associated with the Bald Eagle in particular, resonates deep within our spirit - which is why they were selected as the U.S. national symbol.

The eagle has a certain presence, especially when in flight. The eagle while in flight can see its target from a great distance and can see another eagle soaring nearly 50 miles away.

Notice that the vulture (aka. Buzzard) does not get the same reaction. Why? Because they only eat what something else had already killed. They are incapable of seeking out their own means of subsistence. They have weak claws and live chiefly on "carrion" (dead and decaying flesh).

Eagles have a different mentality altogether. Eagles are birds of opportunity. They get out there and look for what they want and need. Eagles are powerful and courageous and skillful hunters.

Do you remember those National Geographic documentaries? I remember seeing one on eagles and they showed an eagle zero in on its goal – in this case a fish swimming in the ocean. That eagle was able to spot it’s goal (target) from miles away, head towards it, swoop down and pluck it out of the water with it’s claws and hardly lose any momentum. They can do the same thing with small animals on land.

You have to have that kind of determination about your goals and dreams if you are ever to capture them. Imagine that the ocean is full of all the goals and dreams of every living person in the world. Your goals are in this vast ocean of possibility. In order for you to obtain your goals and realize your dreams, you first have to identify them - you have done that part already.

Take Action

Now comes the part where most people fall short…taking action. Now you must possess relentless determination and skill and knowledge and passion. It is all within you already, but it is up to you to develop it, refine it and bring it out. You must align yourself with other eagle-like individuals and groups.

As you begin to think of yourself as eagle-like, and you begin to hang out with and learn from other eagles, you will your claws getting stronger, your eyesight for spotting opportunities getting sharper, your ability to soar towards you goals improving and your outlook on how great life can and will be expanding. You will see farther than you have ever seen before – beyond what the physical eye can see.

You must take action. Take flight to the ocean where your dreams and goals are swimming around just waiting for you to take hold of them. You have to recognize them and swoop down and grasp them and soar with them to the land of fulfillment. That abundant life is for everyone, but God will not force it upon you.


Exercise 13:

What is Your Mentality?

Write out you answer, response or reaction to each statement below.

How do you spend your Days? Time? Life?...

On the lookout for opportunities or hoping for one?___________________________________________

Expecting greatness or accepting the status quo?_____________________________________________

With love in your heart or bitterness and contempt?___________________________________________

Expecting success or anticipating failure?___________________________________________________

Giving of your time and talents or using others for your own gain?________________________________

Loving people and using money or using people and loving money?_______________________________

Being a Go Giver or being a Go Getter?___________________________________________________

In gratitude and thankfulness or in selfishness and being un-thankful?______________________________

In prayer and meditation or in wishful thinking?______________________________________________

In finding ways to serve or in finding ways to be served?_______________________________________

Going the extra mile or stopping short of a mile every chance you get?____________________________

Building value-rich relationships or shallow “what’s in it for me” relationships?_______________________

Appreciating what you have or complaining about what you don’t have?___________________________

Sowing seeds rich in giving or sowing seeds of me and mine?____________________________________

Developing a more meaningful me, or this is who I am so whoever doesn’t like it, too bad?_____________

I look for the positive in every situation or there can’t be a positive in every situation?_________________

Growing, improving & manifesting or stagnant, under-developed & unclear?________________________

Setting goals or hoping for the best?______________________________________________________

Keeping physically fit or I’ll get in shape someday?___________________________________________

Eating healthy foods or I worry about that after my body starts falling apart?________________________

Keeping my home & work areas clutter free or I know where everything is?________________________

I am Happy or I will be happy when XYZ happens?__________________________________________

I smile more often than not or there’s not much to smile about these days?__________________________

I speak mainly high-energy words or I say whatever comes to my mind?___________________________

I look for the good in everyone or I can’t see past other’s faults?_________________________________

I have ways to motivate myself or I went to one of those motivational things once?____________________

I am passionate about my goals and dreams or I’m only in it for the money?_________________________

I live my life with purpose or the only purpose in life is to survive the best you can?____________________

I tithe or give 10% of my earnings or I barely have enough to take care of my own?___________________

I accept responsibility for where I am in life right now or it’s not my fault?__________________________

As much as possible I think positive thoughts or who can keep that up all the time?___________________

The glass is half full or half empty?________________________________________________________

I read non-fiction books for personal development or I prefer to watch television?____________________

I find inspiring and creative ways to unwind or I need a drink (alcohol) to unwind?____________________

I network with success-minded people or I network with whoever I can pitch?______________________

What I do today determines my tomorrows or I might not be here tomorrow so who cares?_____________


**Write a few of your own and share them in the comment section below.

Again I ask the question…

Are you a soaring eagle or a circling buzzard?

You do not want to get stuck going in circles day in and day out, month after month and year after year. Buzzards fly around in circles but are going nowhere. Most people are living their lives the same way – circling around mediocrity.

I know that saying, “Birds of a feather flock together” is cliché and over-used, but nevertheless, it is true.

Have you ever seen an eagle flying around with a bunch of buzzards?

I know someone is thinking, yeah, but what if you’re married to one?

Go back to the above list. You’ll find your answers there. Each situation is different. Each person is different. So far, we as a nation have not gone out and shot all the buzzards in the world because we think they are useless or lack character or skill. If we look for the good in them, we’ll surely find it.

Stop circling and focusing on your problems and fears. Get out there, soar, and you’ll find solutions and opportunities that will blow your mind and blast your problems and fears right out of your life.

Keep working on your projects:
Project 1: Your Vision Board
Project 2: Your Success Notebook

Copyright© 2009 Anita Crawford Clark       All rights reserved worldwide

Ready, Set, Goals - Day 9: Your Potential for Greatness

What is Your potential for Greatness? By now you should have clearly defined goals and dreams. So what is the next step? Now you have to start working on a plan of action to accomplish your goals.
Project 2:

Your Success Book

First, you need to get some materials. I want you to get a three-ring binder and some lined paper for it. You will also need dividers for each month of the year. You can buy these already labeled or buy the kind you have to write on the label yourself.

You have an overall goal for 2010 or the next 12 months.

Let’s say your goal is to have drive more traffic to your website. First of all, that is too general. Be more specific. How much more traffic? 100 visitors per month? 200? 500? How many.

Secondly, what do you want them to do or experience when they visit your website? Spend time there? Sign up for your free offer? Buy something? Be specific.

Third, do you want them to visit once or over and over again? Do you want to refer their friends? Sign up for membership? Have fun? Learn something? What will be their experience as a result of visiting your website.

Along with this line of thinking you may be thinking, wow, I never thought about all of those aspects concerning people visiting my website. I just wanted to drive more traffic to my site.

You see, this is where you put action and energy behind your goal.


Example:

Goal: Have 300 visitors per day to my website or something better

Why: To sell 100 XYZ items each week (be specific) or something better

When: In 60 days or less

Education: Resources/Training needed to accomplish a specific goal. (You can learn this yourself, get a coach, take a class, read a book, search online, or outsource it.)

Personal Development: Read How to Win friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie; listen to motivational and inspirational CDs while in my car; subscribe to a personal development newsletter; exercise, healthy eating, prayer and meditation.

Expectation/Plan: (Implement strategies on-line and off-line that will direct and drive people to my website.)

     1. Use video to up my rankings in the search engines

     2. Start a blog or write for some article sites to drive traffic

     3. Build a presence and following on Twitter and Facebook

     4. Go to networking meetings

     5. Pay-per-click ads

     6. Etc…

Again the key with your plan is to be very specific. How many videos? How often? On what sites? How many followers do you need on twitter to see an increase in traffic to your website? How many friends or fans on Facebook? How many networking meetings do you need to go to? You get the idea.

In the front of your binder put your worksheets from all previous exercises.

For your January (or your first month) write out what you “Expect” and plan to accomplish for this month towards your goal or dream. If you have more than one goal, use a separate sheet of paper for each one.

Goal: (State your goal)

Why: (Why is it a goal or dream? Why is it important?)

When: (when do you expect to have accomplished this goal?)

Education: (what resources, training, etc. if any, do you need?)

Personal Development: (What are you doing to grow as a person? To develop a can win attitude? To develop an attitude of gratitude? To develop and become the greatest you, you can be?)

Expectations/Plan: (You get what you expect. You take action by implementing plans for those expectations. Then doors will begin opening that were not even a part of your plans…this is where the miraculous kicks in.)

Repeat this at the beginning of each month.

You will then further break this down to weekly and then daily goals.

What do you expect for this week?

What do you expect for today?

Write it down.

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Again I ask the question, What is your potential for Greatness?

Everyone has the potential for greatness, but not everyone will search for, I mean really seek out a great life and lifestyle. Instead, most people will actually seek out and settle for a mediocre life and lifestyle.

What is the difference between life and lifestyle?

We will refer to human life here, specifically, your Life as a vital or living being. Your Life is further defined by the physical and mental experiences you have during the period from birth to death. In other words it is the written history of your life – your biography. Whether it is written down or not, you are writing your own biography everyday of your life. How you live your life, your way of living is your lifestyle.

Your life is the duration of your existence and your lifestyle is what you do and how you live during your existence.

So let me give you some definitions here:

Mediocre: of moderate or low quality; common, indifferent, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, second-rate, so-so.

Greatness: the quality or state of being great; markedly superior in character, quality, or skill; being beyond the average; excellent, fabulous, splendid, adept, masterful, proficient and accomplished.

"We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential."

~ Ellen Goodman

Most people accept mediocrity because the path is easier – or so it seems. The path to mediocrity has been traveled by the masses. The journey is familiar. The road is clearly laid out. The outcome is known. Most people choose this path because there are fewer surprises.

You Decide…

Greatness or Mediocrity?

Ready, Set, Goals - Day 8: Get Passionate About Your Goals

Your goals are your goals and it is up to you to get passionate enough about them to succeed. Realizing your dreams and achieving your goals take passion and you will need to fire up that passion again and again.
Here is an affirmation to help keep you passionate about your goals...

I am passionate about my goals.

My passion drives me forward to live the life of my dreams. I know what I want in life and set goals to get me there. I know that each goal I achieve brings me in union with what I desire. I feel truly invigorated with each success!

Meeting a goal, no matter how big or small, strengthens my confidence and self-esteem. I enjoy these feelings and strive to receive them as often as possible.

Setting and achieving goals is a never-ending circle of positivity that fuels my passion even more. My passion encourages me to persevere over obstacles and it is replenished and increased with every goal I complete.

My passion enables my success. I use tools to ignite and refuel my passion on a daily basis, even when I face challenges that try to smother it.

My tools include affirmations to transform negative thoughts into positive ones, meditation to relax and rejuvenate my energy, prayer to connect my spirit with the Highest Power Source - Jesus, and notes and pictures to inspire and remind me of my goals.

Today, I choose to feel inspired by my passion and let the excitement propel me forward to achieve my goals, regardless of any challenges that may arise.


Action Questions:
Don't just read them, answer them and then put action behind them. DO Them!

Do Something. Do Anything, but don't just sit there hoping your goals will be achieved...See That They Are!


1. Am I passionate about my goals?


How badly do you want change?

What are you willing to give up (what bad habits) to achieve your goals?

What is the alternative if you do not reach your goals and live your dreams?

I’ll repeat it here again, but in a different way.


We talked about the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" with James Stewart where he got a chance to see what the world would be like if he had never been born. This time I want you to imagine what Your Life will be like if you do not go after your dreams and reach your goals.

"Your most valuable asset can be your willingness to persist longer than anyone else." ~ Brian Tracy

"At the worst, a house unkept cannot be so distressing as a life unlived." ~Dame Rose Macaulay,


2. Where can I find additional inspiration?

I would start with the BIBLE!

Then there are quotes to inspire and encourage.

"We can draw lessons from the past, but we cannot live in it." ~Lyndon B. Johnson

“If 2009 was the year to survive then let's make 2010 the year to thrive!” ~@leadtoday

"Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom." ~George S. Patton

“Do not be afraid of tomorrow; for God is already there.” ~ Author Unknown

“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person s determination.” ~Tommy Lasorda

"People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents." ~Andrew Carnegie


I could go on and on. But do you feel the motivation starting to rise within you? Just reading those quotes you start to thinking, “Yes, I can do this. I will succeed.”


And so you shall!


Motivational, inspirational and educational CDs are great to listen to, especially while driving. Turn your car into a university on wheels.


Other like-minded, success striving, abundant living people. Careful here though- stay clear of negative people who will pull you down to where they are and where they intend to stay - mediocrity. You are above average. You are an Over-Comer. You are an Abundant Life Living Person. Why would you take advice from your broke and dead-end job friends and family?

A great place to meet other people realizing their dreams are networking groups and seminars.


3. What task can I achieve today to fuel my passion and get me back on track toward my goals?

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” ~Robert Collier

Make up your mind you WILL Succeed! It first starts with a decision. Then you must believe it is going to happen. EXPECT IT!

Write down your goals and review them often, at least once month. Tweak, adjust, modify, change, and re-purpose your goals as often as you need to.

Get training and/or coaching from those who are where you want to be.

Pray! And if you Pray, don't doubt or worry. If you are going to worry-no need to pray because you are showing that you do not really believe "That With God ALL Things Are Possible"


4. The Greatest Motivator of ALL!

I have found that the greatest motivator of all is to GIVE. Go out there and be a blessing to as many people as you can, as often as you can. Helping others, especially people who cannot in any way contribute to your business or help you in reaching your goals, will set in motion events that will help you in your business and in reaching your goals.

It's the Law of the Harvest: You will reap what you sow. So sow goodness and kindness.

"An effort made for the happiness of others lifts us above ourselves." ~Lydia M. Child

"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." ~Ann Landers

BE a Go Giver!




Exercise 12:



Over the next several days I want you to go over or complete your previous exercises. I know I keep harping on being crystal clear on your goals, dreams, purpose, because the last four sections of this series will be dedicated to action steps. You do not want to put action behind something you do not desire to do.

Get out there, get out of the nest of comfort and ease, spread your Wings and Soar to the Land of Possibility!!!



Go for the most Amazing Life you can. Period.

Ready, Set, Goals - Day 7: Who Are Your Success Proponents and Opponents?

Now you have narrowed your goals and dreams even more and you need to identify who your success proponents and opponents are. You should be clear about what you will accomplish and why you want to accomplish it. Now you need to think about who is going to be cheering you on and who will be rooting against you.

The people rooting against you may not even realize they are doing it. They may think they are just asking you to be realistic. Well what does that mean? Realistic? Was Thomas Edison realistic when he told people he had an idea for a light bulb? Were the Wright brothers realistic when they told people they wanted to make a machine that would fly? Was Alexander Graham Bell realistic? Was Abraham Lincoln? Was Sojourner Truth? Was Henry Ford? Was Barak Obama? Are you?
Exercise 10:

You are going to make four lists. For this exercise limit each list to a maximum of 25 names. You can add to or complete your list later.

Your first list will be the people you see or speak to at least 5 times a week. This should include family members, friends, co-workers, associates, etc.

These are your Core Influencers (sometimes called your Inner Circle). The people you spend the most time with.

Your second list will be people you see or speak to at least once a week. Their influence is minimal, but just as important.

Your third list will be people you see or speak to occasionally. These are people you know, people you have met, but do not communicate with on a regular basis.

Your fourth list will be people you would like to meet in order to help or assist you in reaching your goals. Think big here. If you need to meet Warren Buffet, write his name down. If you need to meet the mayor of your city, write their name down. If you need to meet Jack Canfield, write his name down. Who do you need or want to meet?

Just to show you what I mean, I’ll share my list with you:

1. Bob Proctor

2. Gerry Robert

3. Mark Victor Hansen (met him 11/18/2009)

4. Willie Mays (yes the ‘Say Hey Kid”)

5. Oprah Winfrey

6. Barak and Michelle Obama

7. Arnold Schwarzenegger

8. Donald Trump

9. Robert Kiyosaki

10. Robert G. Allen (met him on 11-19-09)

11. Rodney Holmes (a really great drummer)

12. Mike Bibby (my all time favorite Sac Kings player)

13. Chris Webber (my all time favorite Sac Kings player)

14. Mary Tyler Moore

15. Bill Gates

16. Warren Buffet

17. Jack Canfield

18. Vic Johnson

19. Jim Bellacera (met him on 11/12/09)

20. Joe and Gavin Maloof (Sac Kings owners)

21. Tiger Woods (yes I know he has issues, but he was on there)

I have various reasons for wanting to meet these people on my list. Many of the reasons have more to do with what I can do fro them, than what they can do for me. There is a story behind why many of these people are on my list.

Once you have finished your four lists I want you to ask yourself these questions about each person on your list.

Does this person speak empowering, motivating, high-energy words?

Does this person think big? Do they think triumphant?

Does this person have goals they are going for?

Is this person, “Going for the most amazing life they can? Period.”

Does this person encourage you when you share your goals and dreams?

Put a star next to all the names on all your list that you can say “yes” to above questions regarding them.


Exercise 11:

Leave a comment at the end of this post for Day #7 and write the name of one of the people from your fourth list. Write the name of the one you think would be the most challenging for you to meet.

I’ll start it off by leaving a comment first.

Ready, Set, Goals - Day 6: Your Success Tools

So now you have had three days to get a crystal clear picture of where you are in your life right now. It is one of the most important steps in succeeding – knowing where you are so you can map out how to get where it is you want to go.
Keep in mind that you will regularly need to reassess where you are and adjust you route to where it is you want to get to. Because this is really a journey, your destination will change along the way from time to time. You may start off heading to on place or towards a particular goal or dream, and find that there is a better, more meaningful goal.

That is perfectly fine. Make the adjustment on your route and start moving in that new direction. There will be many points of interest you will want to visit on your journey.

So now then, what is your ultimate destination? Awe yes, you thought you already answered this question. In a way you did. But dig deeper. What is you ultimately and purposefully, plan to accomplish with the time God has given you here on earth?

I like to use a little example here to help you answer this question.

Have you ever seen the movie, “It’s a Wonderful life” with James Stewart? If not, watch it or watch it again. Now in that movie James Stewart plays the character of George Bailey. George gets to a point in his life when he thinks the world would have been better off if he had never been born. So an angel grants his wish and George gets a chance to see what the world would be like if he had never been born.

He finds out how much he had impacted the lives of the people in his community. He learns that his life did have meaning and purpose and value. He finds out what his purpose is. He finds out that he had been living a prosperous, abundant and joyful life.

Ask yourself that question in reverse.

“What or how have you impacted the world, your country, your city, your community, your family and your friends by being born?”

Look over the list you made on the day one and tweak them again. Are you keeping an attitude of gratitude? By now your gratitude list should be getting longer. Each day write down the things you are grateful for. I actually keep a gratitude journal.

Now let’s talk about your success equipment. What tools do you need to reach your goal and realize your dreams?

The answer will depend somewhat on what your particular goal is.

It will also depend on what type of race you are running. Sprinters wear special shoes for the track with spikes on the bottom designed for speed. Distance runners wear a show designed for comfort and support. Are you going to sprint towards your goal or take the cross-country route?

Certain tools are needed depending on how quickly you want to get your various points of interest. From here on out, I want you to think of your goals and dreams as points of interest along your life’s journey.

Here is a list to get you started or add to one you may already have of tools and resources for your goals and dreams.

• Courses…to learn what you need to know to get reach your goal

• Books…self-help, personal development, motivational, instructional

• Seminars…on-line and off-line. They are everywhere some free, some not.

• Coaches/Mentors…learn from their experience. It saves time.

• Networking Groups. Check out meetup.com or SuccessfulThinkers.com for local groups in your area.

• Understanding of Social Media. You cannot afford to ignore Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc. if you run a business of any kind.

• Computer, digital camera, video camera, webcam and a microphone. Some computers have built in webcams and mics. Learn to use them or outsource or hire someone to do it for you.

• A great profile picture to use on all your social media sites. Do not use a default avatar. You want a nice, clear picture of you (not a group or family photo- you can out those in your photo albums if you wish).

• A well thought out bio. Do not leave this blank. Potential business associates or clients cannot find you if they do not know anything about you.

The list can go on and on. You need a good management system for your contacts. You need a good bookkeeping system (or hire it out). You need stay organized at home and/or at the office. You know what you need to do and have in place. So just get to it.

Exercise 9:

Choose one of your goals and begin to identify what tools you will need to accomplish it in 2010. Keep in mind that you may tweak or adjust or add more tools as you being to take steps toward reaching your goal.

I like to write my goal in a big circle on a blank sheet of paper and then write smaller circles connected with a line to the larger circle. Inside each of the smaller circles I like to write a task or step or tool to help me in accomplishing my goal.

Have fun with this exercise. You can use it for as many goals as you choose.

Copyright© 2009 Anita Crawford Clark All rights reserved worldwide

Ready, Set, Goals - Day 5: Where Are You?

Before we go any further you need to identify where you are in your life right now. This is a very important step. You cannot plan a course for where you want to go unless you know where you are starting from.

Where are you? This is the question I want you to answer over the next three days. This is where you get very honest with yourself.

Exercise 7:

I want you to rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 in each of the following categories. At the end of the list there will be an opportunity for you to add a category of your own if it is not listed here already.


Where are you in regards to your health?

1. I am my most perfect and healthy weight. ___________

2. I strive to eat healthy foods as often as possible. ______________

3. I rarely or never eat at fast food restaurants. _____________

4. I rarely or never drink soda, diet or regular. ____________

5. I exercise at least three times or more each week. ____________

6. I get sufficient and restful sleep every night. ____________

7. I take great care of my teeth and visit the dentist regularly. _______________

8. If I start to stress or worry I quickly bounce back a faithful outlook. _____________



Where are you in regards to your mindset?

1. I believe I am able to accomplish great things. _______________

2. I know I am a winner. _______________

3. I see myself achieving my dreams. _______________

4. I smile often. I smile at everyone and even when no one is around. ______________

5. I am happy. I choose to be happy. _______________

6. I am successful right now, today. ________________

7. I have faith to move mountains. __________________

8. When I call on Jesus – I know all things are possible. ______________

9. I am victorious. _______________

10. I am a positive influence on others. ________________

11. I know I can do it. _______________

12. I have special and unique talents that I am using to reach my dreams. ____________

13. I see opportunities everywhere and I take advantage of them. _______________

14. I have what it takes to fulfill my purpose.

15. I am courageous. _______________

16. I think on things that are good, honest and empowering, ______________

17. I think. I really think about what I think about. __________________

18. I know that my thoughts become things. _______________

19. I know that I am responsible for my thoughts. ________________

20. I think and speak only words of power and victory. _______________

21. I speak words that encourage and bless others. ________________

22. I am really coming alive. ________________

23. I have been given a sound mind. ___________

24. I have been given power, so I am powerful. _____________

25. I give to others and expect nothing in return. ________________

26. I love to give. _____________

27. I forgive others quickly. _______________

28. I am grateful for all that I have. ___________________

29. I keep an attitude of gratitude. __________________

30. I know how important it is to be thankful, so I am thankful in all things. _____________

31. I love meeting successful people and they love meeting me. ________________

32. I look for ways to serve and help others. _______________

33. I greet each day with love in my heart. ______________

34. I never give up. _______________

35. I love to smile. ______________

36. I am an over-comer. __________

37. I celebrate the small victories as well as the big victories. _____________

38. I like being me. _____________

39. I take good care of myself. _________________

40. I always expect the best for each day and every opportunity. _______________

41. I persist until I reach my goal or it turns into a better goal. _______________

42. I know who I am? ____________

43. I am the one and only wonderful me. ________________


Where are you in regards to other areas of your life?

1. I rarely watch television. _______________

2. I pay attention to the bare minimum of news. ______________

3. I watch only inspiring and uplifting or exciting programs and movies. _________________

4. I listen to only inspiring and positive music. _______________

5. I create a positive and joyful environment in my home. ___________

6. People love to visit my home. _______________

7. I am organized at home. _______________

8. I am organized in my business. ________________

9. I keep my car free of clutter. ______________

10. I am always ready to receive guest in my home. ______________

11. I read books and take courses to improve personally and professionally. ____________

12. I think before I react so I can give a calm and thoughtful response. __________


Exercise 8:

Now I want you to come up with at least 5 of your own items.

To hold you accountable I want you to share what you came up with. You do not have to share your score. You will need to post a comment at the end of this post with your homework assignment answers. And you thought you where finished with school? You never stop learning and growing.

Your homework is due by 8:00am on Monday or three days from when you first read this article.



Copyright© 2009 Anita Crawford Clark All rights reserved worldwide

Ready, Set, Goals - Day 4: Your Success Coach

The most successful people in the world have all had at one time a great coach. Achieving you goals and dreams will be easier if you learn from someone that has already succeeded at what it is you want to accomplish.

As I mentioned before, setting goals is easy and many people set goals and have dreams, but few achieve them. Your mission for 2010 is to achieve as many of your goals as you can. You may not achieve them all in 2010, some may take longer, some of your goals may change, or other opportunities may develop as a result of you pursuing your goals, but what counts is that you set goals and then set out to accomplish those goals.

You have been zeroing in on your goals, dreams, passion and purpose for three days now. Indentifying your purpose and dreams and setting goals will always be a “work in progress.” After these 12 days are over, you will still tweak, adjust, change and/or add to your goals, dreams, vision, passions, purpose, desires…what ever you want to call them.

Today you need to start thinking about who will coach you. I do not mean you need to hire a success or life coach, I mean who can you learn from in your community, online, in your church, on your job, etc.

Coaches are everywhere. I even learned from my two and half year old daughter a new way to have more faith and not worry. Coaches are everywhere. Where can you find or get coaching:

1) Read Books

     a) Biographies of people who have achieved greatness from poverty or obstacles

     b) Specific to your goal or what you want to accomplish

     c) Motivational and Inspiration books

     d) Personal growth books

     e) How to books to improve or learn an area of expertise

2) Webinars and Conference Calls: they are offered on every topic you can think of and most of them are free. Best places to find out about them is by joining networking groups on sites such as Facebook or Successful Thinkers.

3) Network, network, network! I have met and been introduced to so many highly successful people through networking and as a result I am heading towards my goals and dreams faster than I thought possible.

4) You may need a success or life coach if you feel you need specific one on one direction to help you focus on reaching your goals. There are many to choose from and the cost vary greatly. Do your homework or get a recommendation from someone when choosing this type of coach.

5) Online or Off-line courses. There are a ton of courses you can take to help you reach you goals. You could probably figure it out, but time is of the essence…so get training every chance you get.

6) I saved the best and most important coach for here: God. You have to have God as your primary coach along with your pastor or minister. It is God who will help you identify your purpose and it is God who will give you that sense of going in the right or wrong direction. God is the Almighty Coach. You need Coach Jesus.


Exercise 6:

Look over the list you have been working with for the past three days. Identify a goal or two and find a coach to help you reach that goal. That could be a book, a course, a webinar, a success or life coach, or someone who has already accomplished your goal. Just be open and coaches will start to appear.

It is said that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

Reminders:

• Keep working on your vision board, but it must be done or nearly done before the first of the year.

• Continue to tweak, change, adjust or add to your list.

• Each day write down at least three things you are grateful for. Keep an attitude of gratitude.

Ready, Set, Goals - Day 3: Your Net Worth equals Your Network

If you want to succeed, you need to network with other successful people. This is essential for reaching your goals and dreams? Who do you need to network with to accomplish extraordinary results over the next twelve months?

Let’s revisit the starting line from day 2. Remember, you are getting ready to go to the starting line for the New Year. How have you prepared for your race?

• Who are the other runners?

• Who is your coach? Or your coaches?

• Did your coach prepare you to win?

• Are you wearing the proper shoes/equipment for the race?

• Do you know where the finish line is?

• Who is in the stands cheering you on?

• Who is in the stands rooting against you?

• Are you passionate about victory? About winning? Are you focused?


Today we are going to focus on “who are the other runners?”

Who else is at the starting line getting ready to race toward their goals and dreams? Normally, in a race, you are running against the other people lined up for the race. But in this case, you are running with them.

Imagine this. The race is about to begin. Everyone knows where the finish line is. The gun is fired and the race begins. But one of the runners turns around and starts running in the opposite direction. This runner knows that he/she is going in the wrong direction, but keeps going. Why would anyone do that? Sadly, many people do. They do it day after day, month after month, and year after year. It’s called – INSANITY!

Millions of people all over the world do this their entire lives. They do not have a clear “vision” of where they want to go or who or what they want to be or do. They have not indentified their purpose in life. They are not passionate about their purpose or goals or dreams.

This is why identifying your goals, dreams and purpose and being passionate about them is so very important. You cannot get somewhere if you do not know where it is you want to get to.

Be clear about your destination.

Know where you want to go. Know what you want to accomplish. Then the planning and the how will come more readily and easily. So many people set goals they think or know they can reach, and that is fine. But those easy goals are not usually you true purpose or vision of what you desire to be or do. Get BOLD about your dreams! Think BIG! REALLY BIG!



Exercise 5:

I want you to look at your three sheets you started on Day 1. Go back over them again and revise or add to them. (If you are just joining us you can read Day 1 Here)

1. What is it that you earnestly desire? Your Goals? Dreams? Purpose?

2. What are you grateful for already?

3. What are your talents? What would you like to do or learn to do?

What do you really, truly and deeply desire to do or be? What is your purpose? Who do you want on this journey with you?

The people who you spend the most time with most likely have the biggest influence on what you are now doing or think about doing. How do you know if your goals, dreams, purpose are big enough? If you are apprehensive about telling certain people what your goals, dreams or purpose really is, then it’s big enough and those are the people you do not want to spend the majority of your time with.

That’s harsh. Well, the truth is that you want to be around people who are pursuing their true goals, dreams and passion. They will be the ones who will inspire and motivate you to reach yours. They will be the ones with great ideas and tips and resources that you will help you along the way. They will be the ones with the right connections to key people you need to meet to reach the finish line.

Now do not be fooled by the word “finish line.” This is a journey, so when I say finish line or destination; it is just an accomplishment along the way that you have reached. It is a landmark that tells you, you are heading in the right direction.

Who do you want to run with? Other success minded people. You want to associate with people who have values similar to yours.

“Your Net Worth = You Network”

Look around at the six people you spend the most time with and ask yourself are they mostly negative or positive. Do they set goals? Do they talk about their dreams and put action into reaching them? Do they speak faith? Do they live or pursue an abundant life? What do they read? What do they watch and listen to?

I am not advocating writing off your friends and family or co-workers. But you do need to spend more time with successful minded people. People who are accomplishing their goals and reaching their dreams.

You may be surprised to learn that successful people are some of the most giving people you will meet. They are extremely generous with what they know and whom they know. They understand the “Law of the Harvest “ that in sowing (giving), they shall also reap. I have found that when I am around such people it is as though we are all trying to out GIVE one another. It is fun and exciting to be in such an environment.

One place you can go to meet other successful people is, Successful Thinkers. It is a great community of people who are successful and looking to network with other success minded people and businesses. Visit the website to learn more.

Keep working on getting the materials together for your “Vision Board” and get it done before the end of this 12-Day Series. No excuses—Get it done!

Ready, Set, Goals - Day 2: Creating a Vision Board

How can a vision board help your reach your goals and dreams? How does a vision board aid in achieveing success? Today we are going to cover why you should have a vision board and how to make one.

Right now, before we go any further I want you to stop and affirm to yourself what an amazing day today is. Get in the habit of expecting incredible opportunities to show up in your day- everyday.

How? Is this not the day that the Lord has made? Then rejoice. Be thankful. Know that since God has given you another day, and because He has All Power and because He wants to give you the desires of your heart and because He made this day…the possibilities are limitless.

You have tapped into the Power and Energy of God…God is the highest Power Source – get plugged in and stay plugged in daily.

You may be wondering what all of this has to do with goal setting? Setting goals is a step, but achieving them is a leap of faith combined with action. I’m not just working with you to set goals, but I want you to achieve your goals, dreams, or purpose.

Get excited about life now – today! Get excited about being a winner. See yourself as a winner.

"You only lose energy when life becomes dull in your mind. Your mind gets bored and therefore tired of doing nothing. Get interested in something! Get absolutely enthralled in something! Get out of yourself! Be somebody! Do something. The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have."
        ~Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993, Pastor, Speaker and Author)

So here you are getting ready to go to the starting line for the New Year. How have you prepared for your race?

• Who are the other runners?

• Who is your coach? Or your coaches?

• Did your coach prepare you to win?

• Are you wearing the proper shoes/equipment for the race?

• Do you know where the finish line is?

• Who is in the stands cheering you on?

• Who is in the stands rooting against you?

• Are you passionate about victory? About winning? Are you focused?

So there you are at the starting blocks. You are bending down at the starting line. You look around at whom else running with you. Your hands are now in place. Your feet are now in place. You raise your knees off the ground and look straight ahead at the finish line. You wait for the sound of the gun to start the race.

The countdown has started, 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 “Happy New Year” and the race is on for the next 365 days.

Some of you may still be running the race from 2009 and have yet to cross the finish line of a goal or two or three. You have been running and running and you feel like all you do is run. When will you run past the finish line and get to celebrate the victory?

When you take responsibility for how your life is right now. If you love your life you are far ahead of the majority. If you are in a difficult place in your life right now, you have to look at the choices you have made. Look or think about what you have “expected” from every situation…and I guarantee you that is exactly what you got. You will get what you expect or think about. So if you want to blame someone for where you are in life, read the next quote for the answer.

“If you kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you would not sit for a month.” Theodore Roosevelt

I know- that is harsh, but I want you to WIN! And winners don’t have wimpy coaches who tell them what they want to hear. They tell them what they need to hear. This is your life we’re talking about…

And as far as I know this is the only life you get. So what are you going to do with the time God has given you? It goes by fast, but I don’t have to tell you that. If you think or hope you get another life and a chance to get it right in that life- that is a big gamble.

“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” Oprah Winfrey

I want you to watch this video before you continue reading.



Exercise 4:

Today you are going to start working on your “Vision Board”

What is a vision board and why should you have one? A vision board is where you cut out pictures, words or phrases pertaining to your goals and dreams. Anything you expect to accomplish. (Notice I did not say anything your “hope” to accomplish. Stop hoping and wishing and start expecting).

Your vision board will serve as a reminder of what to expect to accomplish or receive in 2010. We all need constant re-motivation. Motivation does not last. If it did we would all be highly motivated all the time after getting motivated just once. I am always looking for ways to motivate myself. It’s a journey.

Necessary Supplies:

1. You will need a poster board. Any color will do. Check Wal-mart, target, Office supply stores. Or just a big piece of cardboard you may have lying around.

2. You will need magazines. See step 1 below.

3. You will need glue. I like rubber cement. But you can use any kind of white glue also. Glue sticks work well too, but tend not to last as long.

Putting it Together:

Step 1: You need to gather a variety of magazines, the bigger your collection the better. You want to give yourself many options and choices. If you do not already have such a collection go out and buy them, or check libraries (sometimes they have old issues they give away or sale for cheap). This may take a few days.

Step 2: Once you have your collection of magazines, take out your sheets from day one and read over them again. Think about how awesome 2010 is going to be. I want you to get energized and excited about your goal and dreams. If it helps, put on some highly energetic and positive music. You want to feel as good as possible when you work on your vision board.

So now start going through the magazines and tearing or cutting out pictures that relate to your goals or dreams or maybe even pictures of things you would like to have. Also, look for words or phrases that are motivational or somehow relate to your goals and dreams.

Step 3: Arranging them on the board. This is the creative part. You can arrange them sporadically or methodically. You don’t have to cover the entire board in one day. It can progress over time. If you didn’t find a picture or word or phrase that fits one of your goals, then draw it yourself. You do not have to be an artist. Stick people will do just fine.

Step 4: Put it up somewhere you will see it everyday.

**You can also make a “vision book” if you want something you can carry around with you. But be sure you have a board so that it is what you see everyday.

Tomorrow we are going to be breaking down your mindset, team, coaches, resources, skills, etc. needed to reach your goals and dreams.

And remember, if your Dreams don’t scare you, they’re not BIG Enough!

Ready, Set, Goals - Day 1: Defining Your Goals, Dreams & Purpose

The most important step in achieveing success is to clearly identify your goals, dreams or purpose.

Exercise 1:

What is it that you want/need to change in your life?

What are you passionate about?

What is your mission/purpose?

Why are you here?

What are you supposed to be doing?

What do you want to achieve or accomplish?

What does your ideal lifestyle look like?

Think for a moment and paint a very clear picture in your mind of what your expectations are for 2010. Think… Think… Imagine… Think-Imagine-Visualize.

Write down (be specific) your answers to the above questions. You may need to go and pray about some of these. Or you may not know the answer to all of them. That’s okay. By the end of our 12 days of goal casting you should have the answers.

So many people go through life never having answered questions like these. They think they have to accept what life brings them. No! God does not want a world full of robots roaming about without purpose or individuality. Why do you think he confounded everyone’s languages at the Tower of Babel?

So they would spread out, be different, BE CREATIVE!

So they would Innovate-Explore-Learn-Grow-Develop-Excel-Prosper…in all areas of life…all over the world.

It is not enough to hope 2010 will be a great year. You have to Expect 2010 to be an Extraordinary Year. And then go out and do something about it.


Exercise 2:

Now on another sheet of paper I want you to write down at least 25 things you are/were grateful for during 2009. As you start writing begin it with this phrase: I am so happy and grateful to God for… (and then write down what you are grateful for)

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thess. 5:18

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 1:21

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them" ~ John F. Kennedy



Exercise 3:

Now I want you to make a list of your talents. Write down what you are good at. Write down any areas you have expertise in. Write down what you may have always wanted to do or learn to do. Write down things you do that you get excited about. Write down as many things as you can.

A short list to spark your imagination: cooking, baking. Golf, computers, making videos, power-point presentations, writing, drawing, singing, playing an instrument, photography, fixing things, making things, fashion, decorating, sports, teaching, investing, etc…

So now you have three lists.

I want you to use the three list and your core value system, and ask yourself…

What’s REALLY important to you in life? WHY?

You have to know this or setting goals will be a waste of time and frustrate you because you will not achieve them.

Knowing your why may take awhile so we’ll stop here for today.

If you need additional help in coming up with your Why, Passion or Purpose, read one or two of my older post. Are You passinate about Your Goals? or That Is Why... from my Hubpages.

12 Days of Goal Casting for 2010 - INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION:  

Join me for 12 days of planning, prayer, and goal setting as we head into the year 2010.

2010 will either be a year of Purpose, Goals, Direction and Success, or a year of Indecision, Chance and Uncertainty. You make that DECISION Now. 2010 will be a year of Challenge no matter what path you take. But without God, purpose, goals and a plan, those challenges can become catastrophic..

You have to decide today what you want to see show up in your Life tomorrow. Whatever you are facing today in your life is a result of decisions you have made in the past. Everything you do, or don't do, will show up in your future. You are planting seeds of life daily, and if your life is spiraling or without meaning or you are not living your purpose, you most likely will find the answer in your Harvest Field of Life Circumstances.

What is this Harvest Field of Life Circumstances? Most people see life's circumstances as something that has happened to them, rather than something they have done to themselves. First let's define "circumstance" - a condition, fact or event accompanying, conditioning or determining another. A circumstance is also defined as something that is unpredictable. How it manifests itself in your life depends on you.

Imagine a ship that sets sail from New York to England. The captain announces that the ship is equipped with everything needed for the journey, except a map. He assures all the passengers not to worry, because they will eventually get to their destination.

"By the way," he adds. "We don't have a rudder either." Anyone who knows anything about ships knows that without a map to guide it and a rudder to stir it, that ship could float around the ocean for years and never reach its intended destination. How many people live their lives that way. Sometimes, people do not even have a destination.

Do you have a destination? Have you identified your purpose? Do you have goals? Do you have some direction for reaching those goals? You don't need all the answers right now. The first thing is to begin thinking about what you want to have accomplished by December 31, 2010- a year from now.

So we will spend 12 days working on setting Goals and then keeping and reaching them. Here is how it will work. Each day of the week (except Christmas eve & Christmas Day) we will have a different goal assignment. We will start on Monday, December 14, 2009. Then each weekday we will have a new assignment. It is okay if you are getting started with us after the 14th because you can catch up on weekends or double up on weekdays.

If it helps, think of yourself as a Goalie. A Goalie (Goal-Keeper) is a person who defends the goal in various games. In this case, the game is Life--Your Life! So when those challenges come your way, do what a goalie does. Pick up the ball (challenge) and kick it a far away from you as you can. Don’t let it score a point in your life.

Every time you are faced with a challenge decide it will not score a point in your life. Decide to stop it from getting past you. You are the goalie...protect your goals.

Many people find it helpful if they have someone to be accountable to. That is fine. If you can team up with a spouse, relative or friend, even better. Encourage them to take part in this goal setting exercise.

It is important to plan now for 2010 and not wait until New Years Day to make some kind of resolution that most people will have forgotten about before the end of the month. They forget and it's back to the same old, same old. They planted a resolution seed, but did not spend anytime watering or fertilizing or weeding the ground where they planted it...which is their MIND.

Once you plant your seeds (set goals) you then need to water them with faith, love, action, persistence, motivation, gratitude, giving, character, etc. But watering your goals with these things alone is not enough, you must also make sure there is plenty of Son (Jesus) shinning down through your mind (heart) so that your goals can begin to grow and thrive. You get the idea.

Keep in mind you are planting seeds everyday. Be sure those seeds are seeds of love, kindness, honesty, charity, giving, thankfulness and gratitude. You may think of yourself as a pretty nice person, but how do you behave behind the wheel? Do you tailgate other drivers; do you cut people off or tell them off when they cut you off? Do you allow cars to change lanes or merge unto the freeway when traffic is heavy? You are sowing seeds constantly. But those seeds bring forth weeds that strangle all the good seeds you may have planted. You have to think about how you treat people in every situation for it will manifest itself in your life eventually.

Were you patient in line at the grocery store? Did you complain at the restaurant and leave a pitiful tip? Did you smile at people you interacted with today? Did you leave them with thoughts of happiness, peace and joy? I could go on and on, and I will go into more detail in my book.

Check back here on Monday for DAY 1 of Goal Casting.

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Don't Worry, It's Just the Cookie Monster!

Don't Worry, It's Just the Cookie Monster!