At the beginning of every New Year, the topic of resolutions and goal setting always comes to the forefront of everyone’s minds. Although I am not a proponent of resolutions, I am a firm believer in goal setting and have seen firsthand how powerful this exercise can be. You have probably read many articles already this year on how to set and achieve goals so I don’t want to go into that whole process. I do however want to point out that, in my opinion, there are two characteristics that must be present when creating your goals for them to be worthwhile and successful.

Are Your Goals Big and Scary?
The first characteristic that should be included in your goals is that they should be “Scary” yet obtainable. This is so important yet so often overlooked in the goal-setting process. It is okay for some of your goals to be common and rewarding like getting a new car, going on a vacation, obtaining a promotion, growing your business, etc. But why not reach for the stars with most of your goals and strive for outcomes way bigger than you would have ordinarily desired.

Dream BIG, believe BIG, achieve BIG, and be BIG!!!!

You should literally be embarrassed to share some of your goals with the world. Don’t just set a goal to increase the year-end revenue in your business by 35%; strive to triple your year-end revenue. Don’t be happy just getting a new car; slap a photo of a hot red Ferrari on your goal board and be okay with that. And if you really don’t want a Red Ferrari because you like the new Honda, then slap two photos of your dream car on the board and strive to donate the second car to a worthy charity. You would be surprised to see how much more you will accomplish by stretching your brain in this way.

What is Your Why?
The second characteristic that should be included in this goal setting process is that there should be a BIG purpose associated with your goals; your “Why”. We all have reasons why we get out of bed each day and run the rat race of life. We get in our routines and to a certain extent, we follow the system of working to live and living to work (which is an article for another day). But if your mission this year is to make BIG things happen, you must recognize the reason why they need to happen and bundle them together. If your purpose for increasing your revenue is so you can pay for your child’s college, then you need to associate your child with that specific goal.  Write their names next to the goal or paste a photo on your vision board next to your goal. If you want that new car just because it will make you happy, then paste a photo of you smiling right next to that car. Don’t be ashamed to admit that some of your purposes are self-serving because that is okay. Just be aware that whatever your purpose may be, if you associate it directly with each goal, you will get better results.

I challenge you to take a look at your existing goals and ask yourself the following questions:

• Are your goals specific, measurable and obtainable?
• Are your goals much bigger than last year’s goals?
• Are there goals on your list that are scary to think about?
• Are there any goals on your list that you are embarrassed to share with your friends, family or colleagues?
• Is there a purpose associated with achieving each one of your goals and it indicated in a visual way?

Years ago, I heard a speaker one time to talk about how a very small percentage of people continue with their own personal development by taking continuing education courses, online learning classes, attend seminars or even read books. And that is because of the majority of the world, although they may not be content with it, live a life of mediocrity. Not all people aspire to Dream BIG, believe BIG, achieve BIG, and be BIG, but they all have the ability. We all have to take responsibility for the outcomes of our life and in order for us to make a bigger difference in the world; we have to push ourselves a little harder and a little more often to achieve every goal, every time.

Hugs & Blessings ~ CR