Do You Have the Gumption to Achieve Success?

A study by Yale University in 1953 concluded that people who set goals and write them down are not only more likely to achieve them, but they are happier people than those who don't set goals. You may not have heard about that study, but you've probably heard the results time and again.

How are your New Years resolutions coming along? Have you given up yet? If you haven't written your goals down, you are far more likely to fail at achieving them than you would be if you take the next steps.

1. Convert your New Years resolutions to goals. Converting the resolutions to goals formalizes the action of goal setting.

2. Write down your goals for the year. Don't leave any out – write them all down no matter how ridiculous they seem.

3. On another sheet of paper, categorize them by order of importance to you. Create 5 columns labeled one through five and with “1” being the most important, place all of your goals into the appropriate column.

4. On yet another sheet of paper, write all of the goals from category 1 and place a target date for achievement.

If you do those four things, the statistics say that you will be more than twice as likely to reach your goals than you otherwise would be. Take the next steps and you are almost guaranteed to find success.

1. Frame your categorized goals and your dated goals and hang them over your desk, or somewhere you will see them daily.

2. Except for any goals that are entirely private in nature, tell the important people in your life about your goals.

3. Seek advice from trusted resources on how you can attain your goals.

4. Identify obstacles to achieving your goals. Write down the things you need to do to overcome the obstacles.

5. Put the target dates on your calendar and set reminders at regular intervals for milestone achievements.

There's one final thing you need to do: “Be the part.” If your goal is to lose 20 pounds, act as if it's already gone. Exercise and do the things you plan on doing when the pounds are gone. Think of yourself as 20 pounds lighter. If your goal is start a new business endeavor or get promoted in your current position, this can seem like a difficult thing to do, but it's not. Tell people about your new company. Ask for and accept new responsibilities at work. Dress as if you're the boss. Find your ideal self in everything you do, and you will discover the rewards of goal attainment.

Can you do this? You can! If you don't believe me, contact me and I'll show you how.

(Brandon Johnston is a Life and Transition Coach assisting people balance their lives in ways they never dreamed were possible. Brandon can be reached by email at brandon@coachbrandon.net, or by phone at 612.326.4717. The first session is always free.)