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.

You can also keep up and get daily reminders by joining my Facebook Fan Page: Click Here

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

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

Sojourner Truth's America - Book Review

Sojourner Truth's America - Book Review

How To Possess The Overcoming Courage of The Lion

Possess - to have as an attribute, knowldge or skill.

I am writing this in response to a dear friend I met on twitter who has a son with visual spatial thinking style. She asked if I could give some quotes on overcoming challenges, so this is for her and anyone else who needs encouragement to overcome a challenge.

Have ever seen a lion timidly go after its prey? Once the chase is on, the lion has full courage, complete control over the situation, determination, skill, knowledge and desire. Even if it doesn't catch its target- it knows that tomorrow is another day and the chase will be on again with the same courage and determination. When the lion is on the chase, the only who is afraid is the one being chased. Stop being chased by your fears, turn it around, and start chasing your fears, challenges, dreams, goals, etc. with the knowledge and courage and sound mind God has given you.


Do you really know and believe How Great, Almighty, and All Powerful God Is? If you do then start living VICTORIOUSLY! If you don't, then get to know and believe this about God so you can be an OVERCOMING LION!!!

Robert Schuler said, “Most people who succeed in the face of seemingly impossible conditions are people who simply don’t know how to quit.”

The Lion of Judah - He is the Great I Am!

So then meeting a challenge is really about courage, and courage is about faith, and faith is about courage, which is about meeting the challenges of life head on and having no fear or doubts that whatever the outcome, God has it all in control. So Rejoice!

“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and a sound mind.” ~II Timothy 1:7

Fear just means that one has a lack of confidence. So to overcome a challenge, if you can just get your confidence up, you will have the courage and the strength to overcome every challenge.

So How Can We Increase Our Confidence?

To increase confidence you have to increase your knowledge and understanding. If you have a deep and profound knowledge, understanding and relationship with God and his Word (the Bible), then you should have great faith, faith to move mountain and overcome challenges.

Definition of “COURAGE” ~ ability to conquer fear or despair: bravery, valor, and fearlessness, guts, heart, and nerve, stoutness, lionhearted, gallant, undaunted & valiant.

Definition of “CHALLENGE (Challenged)” ~ A stimulating or interesting task or problem; a summons to a duel; presented with difficulties.

Take a close look at the above definitions of the two words “courage” and “challenge”

Now let’s turn around a challenge into an opportunity. Here is how we will do it. First we will take some words from the definition of courage and then combine them with some words from the definition of challenge and come up with a POWER PHRASE of FAITH!

I have lionhearted ability to conquer every difficulty that comes my way.

With my heart and gallant ability I conquer every duel life throws at me.

I see a problem coming my way and I meet it head on with fearlessness and undaunted faith to overcome it quickly.

How I Build Courage and Faith in my Life is by doing the following activities:

First I get courage and faith from the Bible. In its pages that, “all things are possible” and “you are more than a conqueror” and “you can do all things through Christ” and “you can mount on wings as eagles and soar”

And the next most important way I build and keep a courageous attitude is by surrounding myself with other people who are courageous and successful and over comers. They are my pastors, mentors, mastermind teams, family and friends. They are people like you who I meet on the various social media sites.

Then I also get courage from reading stories of others who have overcome great challenges like, “Helen Keller” and “Sojourner Truth” and “Abraham Lincoln” and common folk from every walk of life. I like to read biographies of over comers such as these.

My faith and courage increases each time I attend church and hear a sermon and fellowship my church family.

And then I read only empowering and encouraging books. I listen to only empowering, encouraging and inspirational music and programs. I watch almost no television at all and when I do watch an occasional movie or show, it too has to be empowering, encouraging and, or inspirational.

You have keep negative music, programs, shows, movies and people at a great distance. Because what you put before your eyes, what you allow your ears to hear, the type of places you visit, all influence your COURAGE METER.

If your COURAGE METER on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being lowest and 10 being highest) is on the lower end then you have to start putting in More Encouraging tidbits into your life and start removing discouraging influencers from your life.

Examine your environment, CDs, DVDs, TV Programs, Newspapers, Magazines, Books, etc. and if the majority of them do not uplift and have a positive or motivational or inspiration message, then out they go as quickly as you can get to a trash can.

This excerpt by John Bailey from his book, A Diary of Private Prayers sums it up pretty well.

Teach me, O God, so to use all the circumstances of my life today that they may bring forth in me the fruits of holiness rather than the fruits of sin.


Let me use disappointment as material for patience.


Let me use success as material for thankfulness.


Let me use suspense as material for perseverance.


Let me use danger as material for courage.


Let me use reproach as material for longsuffering.


Let me use praise as material for humility.


Let me use pleasures as material for temperance.


Let me use pains as material for endurance.

End quote.

My parting words of encouragement are to…

Keep Smiling…

Thomas Edison said, “If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”

Keep Going Forward…

Martin Luther King said, “If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. But by all means keep moving.”

Keep Using Your Challenges as Stepping Stones to Victory…

Bernice Winter said, “If you’re lying in a hospital be looking at the monitor that is recording your vital signs, you want to see peaks and valleys, not a flat line. Get excited about those curves that life throws you – those peaks and valleys. It means you’re alive and still in the game.” (from page 326 of Cash In A Flash by Mark Victor Hansen & Robert G. Allen)

Keep Looking To The Hills To Where Our Strength Comes From…

Exalting His Name…

We Have Overcome! Halellujah, Hallelujah!

Copyright 2009 Anita Crawford Clark   All Rights Reserved Worldwide