Georg L had sent this post to me a few months ago but we saved this for the new year! Here is wishing all the readers a fantastic 2011, may all your wishes come true. Georg’s blog will help you make the wishes and hopefully achieve them!

Over to Georg….

Coming home after a long day, dead tired, you drag yourself to the couch, and sigh … what did I actually do today? Question is, what did you set out to do today? Forget today… how many of us have set goals!

You may recall the story of Alice in Wonderland. Alice came to a fork in the road where the Cheshire Cat was sitting in a tree. She asked “What road do I take?” The cat asked, “Where do you want to go?” “I don’t know”, Alice answered. “Then,” said the cat, “it really doesn’t matter, does it?” Every day is full of decisions, small or big. From going either left or right, to planning the next career move. Without a clear goal … we will probably end up where we were going … nowhere!

Two boys are crossing a field. The first boy looks down to where he is walking, carefully putting one foot in front of the other, trying to walk a straight line. The other boy paces forward, with his eyes set on the other end of the field all the time. Who do you think walks the straightest line and reaches the other side fastest? We walk through life step by step. Do we know at all times where we are going, so we can set our eyes on it and give every step direction?

Leslie Householder in his book “The Jackrabbit Factor: Why You Can” argues that one must be able to visualize the success, and feel the success as though it is already achieved, before even beginning the journey. If the goal is in clear view, the actions needed to capture the prize will actually become instinctive. People are motivated by either fear or desire. What motivation will you get if the success you set out to achieve is so desirable, that it makes your heart pound when thinking of it! Will it give you enough energy to keep you focused and will it make you less receptive to distractions?

An important aspect of reaching the above state is NOT setting “I want to be happy goals”. You will forget yourself what happy is. Try this, instead of “I want to be healthier” set a goal to lose 2 cm off your waist line!

I have learned that a goal must be meaningful, specific and achievable. To make your big compelling goals achievable, you may want to break them down into smaller goals, so you can reach some success and satisfaction during the journey, and measure your progress. And please don’t forget, a goal is a dream with a date on it … set a date and make sure everybody knows about it.

My son Selwyn had set a goal to achieve the desirable rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts of America. For years he paddled through the rank achievements and merit badges, when it became time to do his Eagle project. He chose building a horse shelter for a horse rescue facility. Now he had to plan the project, raise the funds, get a team together and execute it. With his plan ready, for months he tried to get sponsors to fund the project, but it was not going well. And then … he made the best decision he could have made at that point. With barely 10% of the funds raised, he set the date for the project to start in two weeks. Panic! And focus! No more distractions. No more hesitation to walk into a store to ask for money. Just before the project start date he had all the funds together to pay for the project. See what miracles just setting a date brought about!

To achieve our goals, creating focus and drive to get the work done is most crucial! And guess what, most of the time it involves others. This is where the rubber hits the road … or doesn’t.

A few things that work are:

1. Set meaningful, specific and achievable goals, with a date on it.

2. Always think in terms of what benefits realization of the goal will have and communicate what’s in it for all involved. Create a burning desire!

3. Develop a plan to reach your goals, and communicate your expectations to all concerned. Here ,‘how’ is important. Saying I want to reduce 2 inches will not suffice. Saying that you want to stay off sweets makes that your spouse can ensure there are no chocolates in the fridge!

4. Communicate ready bite size; break reaching the big compelling goal into doable parts.

5. Measure and show progress on the way to achieving the main goal. Communicate and celebrate successes.

With the new year around the corner it is a great time to make your wish! And the above will hopefully help you achieve them. I am making mine and I promise I will work towards each one of them!

Here is to a fantastic 2011. Celebrate safely, don’t drink and drive!