Now, I want to show you some examples of more effective goals. Notice right away (even the fact they are spelled out on paper) that they contain the three key components of all effective goals. Do you see how much more effective these goals would be for the person who writes them?
‘It is July, 2009. I am on the first day of a cruise to Bermuda with my husband. I can see dolphins jumping along side the ship and I squeeze my husband’s hand in excitement as I direct his attention to them. A warm breeze is blowing in the air and I brush my hair out of my eyes and breathe in the salty aroma.
‘It is October, 2010. I am standing in the living room of the dream home I’ve always wanted in on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. The rough hewn log cabin walls perfectly match the rustic, lodge style décor that fills the room. I look around at the framed photos of my family, and even a great shot taken on our vacation to the Grand Canyon earlier this year. I look out the enormous cathedral window that covers an entire wall and see nothing but the beautiful blue lake surrounded by trees in their spectacular fall colors of yellow, orange, and blazing red.
‘It is January, 2012. I am the CEO of my own computer software business. I work four hours each day, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and spend the rest of my time with my toddler, strolling in the park, or reading her fairytales at the library. I earn $8,000 each month between video consultation fees and royalties and am financially independent.’
‘It is May, 2010. After taking a course on profiting from foreclosures, I now own a 40-unit apartment building across town that earns me $6,000 each month in positive revenue, above and beyond the bills it generates. It allows me to provide the most quality yet affordable housing in my town and I have many more applicants than apartments!
Do you see the powerful difference between the goals just listed and the first set of goals mentioned? Let me quickly review some of the key differences in the two sets. First, the proper goals were extremely specific. You could actually picture in your mind being with the author at the point of achievement, couldn’t you? That is a powerful accomplishment in its self! Second, the proper goals are all dated in the future, and written in present tense. Writing them this way creates the feeling that they have already occurred. They put their authors into the satisfying mindset of having already achieved their goals. Third, proper goals are written down. Don’t underestimate the importance of this last component!
*Note: All of these proper goals are written in positive terms. For example, a goal to ‘become a non-smoker’ is more effective than a goal to ‘quit smoking’ because the word ‘quit’ conveys a subtle yet negative quality to the goal.
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