Personal Development Goal Setting

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 26th, 2010

You must first be clear about what you want. This may sound like an obvious statement but the vast majority of people are totally unaware of what it is they really want. Their desires are not concrete. They know what they don?t want but they don?t know what they do want.

Ask someone if they could have anything they wanted in life and 98 out of 100 people will begin to describe everything in their life that they don?t like. They will tell you what they don?t want but have very little idea of what they really do want. Even those who have some idea of what they want do not have any specifics. They want more money, better relationships, a more fulfilling job etc., but they cannot describe exactly what this means to them. You need to be specific.

So the first step in getting what you want is knowing what you want!

Next you need to know why you want it. What way will having this thing, situation or type of person make you feel? Our feelings play the biggest role in goal-achievement. They are the essence of all desires. Every wish, desire or goal starts with a feeling. Think about this for awhile. If you can identify the feeling behind your desire and replicate the way you will feel if you were to have that desire you will surely receive it!

Next write down your goal. This helps you get even clearer. Describe your life as though you already have your desire right now. Ensure you include the feelings that will be evoked once you have your goal.

For example ? ?I feel immensely grateful for my brand new Mercedes SL Class sports car. Every morning I feel exhilarated as I open the majestic black metallic door and climb into the black nappa leather-bound driver?s seat. It feels as comfortable as an armchair. The engine purrs into life when I start the ignition and I smile approvingly as I reach down to shift the gear stick set in its burl walnut wood fitting. When I speak softly the voice recognition system immediately jolts the CD player into life and my favourite tune fills the surrounding area. The drive along the street is so smooth and the engine is so quiet I feel like I could be floating on a cloud. Gratitude and joy begin to fill me as I realize that I created this.?

Next visualize your goal while you repeat your written statement. See yourself performing the tasks that you have written. Feel the feelings associated with it. Do this every morning after waking and every night just before retiring.

Ensure that you stay positive and focused throughout the day. Never allow frustration to creep in or impatience. When you become impatient you are affirming that you do not have your goal. Stay focused on the feelings that you know you will experience when you reach your objective.

Next, be open to new opportunities. Allow the universe to open new channels for you. There are an infinite number of ways you can receive your desire. If you can develop a plan for attaining your desire that is even better. If not, be open for new ideas that will come to you and formulate them into a plan when you get them.

The final step is simple ? take some action. Do something no matter how small that will get you closer to your goal. Arrange a test-drive, go look at houses in the neighbourhood you want, ring friends and invite them out to dinner. Do something!

When we take a small step forward the universe will take 10 steps to meet us. Follow these simple steps and your goal attainment is assured.