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 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 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!