It’s that time of year again. The new year celebrations are less than 2 weeks away and when the clock strikes midnight on the 31st, I find myself thinking about my goals for the new year. And then I scratch my head and try to think what last year’s goals were. If I don’t know what they were, did I achieve them? Probably not. But for most of us, goals are important. It’s how we make progress. So, how can you make them more effective? How do you make them happen?
Chris Brogan has a neat idea he calls the goal box, which he talks about in how to make goals happen. What I like about the goal box is it keeps the goal ‘in your face’. And that’s where it needs to be if you are to stand any chance of success. There’s no earthly point in compiling and recording goals if you don’t follow through. Repetition and reinforcement is key. The more often you are reminded you haven’t yet achieved it, the more likely to are to achieve it. The other important aspect of recording and setting goals is to note when you’ve completed them. It’s positive reinforcement for your brain.
Google calendar is a simple and free resource, web-based and easy to use. It has a task list and you can add your goals to the task list. With google calendar you can share it with anyone, perhaps your partner or family. ‘Going public’ with your goals adds an extra push to your motivation. You can also schedule reminders by email or text message, so you don’t forget about them. Perhaps you could schedule a weekly reminder every Sunday, just as you’re thinking about the week ahead.
In today’s video Brian Tracy shows us a technique to achieve one goal in the next 24 hours. Quick wins can be a really terrific way to spur you on achieve greater and better things. It can give you the energy you need to succeed with the longer-term or more complicated goals. I am a fan of Brian Tracy. He is a brilliant motivational speaker and I can recommend his ultimate goals program. Infact, I just enjoy listening to his words of wisdom.
Make your most important goals happen for you in 2010.
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If you’d like a tool for setting your goals for 2010, you can use this web application:
http://www.Gtdagenda.com
You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, schedules and a calendar.
A Vision Wall (inspiring images attached to yor goals) is available too.
Works also on mobile.
Dan,
I like it. It looks better than google calendar. I must try it out…