Setting Performance Goals for Success

Chapter 2: What Is It That You Want?

The key to setting performance goals that you can be passionate about is the process of determining what it is that you really want out of life.

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Did you know that as soon as you change the thing(s) you focus your attention on, you instantaneously change (for better or worse) the quality of your life experience?

With all of the increasing demands in life; the things that require our attention and monopolize our time, it's more important than ever to become the master of your time.

If you fail to take complete ownership of your daily schedule and place appropriate limits on how other people or things take up your time, then you risk marginalizing the quality of your future.

So how do you determine what it is that you want out of life as you're setting performance goals for your life?

First, you should know that whatever your goal is; whenever you think about it, participate in it, or dream about it, the very thought of achieving that goal must spark your ambition.

If you wake up every day wishing you were a painter, and you think about it often throughout the day, and you go to bed thinking about the achievements of famous painters - then my friend, you need are a painter and you need to pursue your passion.

"The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don't define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Doing what you are meant to do, makes life a masterpiece."

The bigger question is, "what's stopping you from pursuing your passion?" Many times it is the simple fear of failing that keeps us from taking that first step toward our goal.

In addition, the demands from other people too often become our excuse for not doing what we want to do in life.

Another main thief of our time is our bad habits. Watching too much TV, smoking, drinking, eating, etc. All of these time-wasters can minimize our chances of making significant progress if we allow these destructive actions to dominate our spare time.

3 Steps to Setting Performance Goals

In order to determine what you want, complete the following three steps:

Write down 3 things that would truly make you happy. The more clearly you can be about each item when setting performance goal, the more vivid the picture will be in your mind. Specifically define each item by placing a time limit on when you plan to achieve this goal. Answer the question, "I'll know when I have achieved this goal because I'll be able to measure it by __________". Ask yourself important questions such as: What truly makes me happy? What do I love to do? Who is the person I want to become? What story do I want my children to tell about me? How do I want to be remembered? (Not all questions are required. Just make sure you have a clear vision of your best self.)
Write down why you want to achieve each of the above goals. In other words, determine what the main purpose of each goal is. This purpose is what will drive and motivate you to complete the tasks involved in achieving each goal. A good example of an inspiring purpose might be, "to experience joy and self-fulfillment"; "to set a good example for my children"; "to be in a position to serve others", or "to become a better, more well-rounded individual".
Write down a quick outline of the resources you'll need and the steps necessary in order for you to achieve each outcome. Make this list as quickly as possible and know that we'll be spending more time to develop a specific goal plan as we move forward in setting performance goals for your better life.

Spend some quality time on the above exercise. Write down your thoughts in a spiral notebook or on your computer so that you can quickly refer back to your answers when completing future exercises. More to come soon, but for now let's get another dose of motivation...

"Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them."

- Dennis Waitley

Success Lesson #2: How To Realize Your Ambition

It's been said that it is not failure that is a crime. Rather, it is one having a low aim that is truly criminal.

Before any man or woman can enter the success race and be admitted onto the success track, he must first have a definite purpose, a high unwavering aim for setting performance goals and achieving those goals. He must have the courage, grit and determination to cling to that goal no matter what stands in his way.

"Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe,and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success."

- Stephen A. Brennan

While all human achievement is the results of man's ambition instinct, there is no quality which requires more watching, guarding or cultivating, than ambition.

Ambition will not live and keep growing if it is not nourished; and the moment a person begins to disregard it his ideals begin to fade.

"No matter how poor you may be or how humble your environment, always keep looking upward. Never be afraid to aim high."

If your ambition is not thoroughly alive, if it shows up only now and then, especially when you are disappointed or discouraged, you should immediately rise out of your chair, raise your head and muster your courage to take action - begin setting performance goal plans - and work to conquer any downward emotion.

The only way to climb out of a hole is to grasp hold of anything that will pull you up and keep your eyes fixed firmly upon the stars.

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