You’ve been taught how important goal setting is. And lately, you’ve been hearing a lot about writing your goals down. Why would you need to write them down? I promise if you try it, you’ll discover why. First off, let me ask you candidly: “What are your current specific goals”? (Silent pause for you to  consider some ideas while looking up to the sky ~ or maybe a beautifully constructed coffered ceiling) I think I heard you say:

• I want to be happy

• I want to make a lot of money and be successful

• I want to travel

• I want to have a great relationship

Although these goals sound lofty, and may inspire you to some degree, they are hardly specific. Writing down your goals is more deliberate than just offering a desirable thought to yourself. That’s just a daydream. Learning to tap into your true self will help you decide what goals are worthy of your intentions and energy. Knowing what you want is half the equation. If you have trouble identifying goals and things you want, it may be helpful to start by identifying what you don’t want first. It’s not productive to dwell on what you don’t want, but sometimes it can help to uncover your true desires.

Let’s look at just one example and get specific. Write down a goal such as ~ I want to be happy. Then, list things that don’t make you happy:

• Working past 7 pm makes me tired and resentful.

• I loathe “accounts payable.” I get overwhelmed with bookkeeping. I’m an Interior Designer for Goodness’ Sake, an Artist (said with a French accent), not an accountant.

• And come to think of it, I hate  installing anything! I’m not an installer either. I feel like I’m compromising my business image.

Now, list things that do make you happy:

• I love spending time with my husband.

• I feel so rewarded when my clients love their environments because of my work.

• I have a great time presenting my ideas to my clients. I just know they are going to love their new surroundings.

Now that we have listed things we like or dislike, let’s put some ideas in writing to bring this goal into reality. Write down specific actions you’ll take to feel happy:

• I work a professional schedule of either 8-4 or 9-5 with exceptions only when I feel they are necessary. 

• I use one of the following methods for my bookkeeping to make more time for what I enjoy: I keep all my accounts on pro-forma status using a credit card that earns me frequent flyer miles, or I use a program like Quick Books to keep accounting manageable, or I use an accounting   service on a monthly fee basis.

• I build installation charges into my proposals to my clients and sub contract installations out so I am free to do what I do best; design and sell my ideas.

Gee, I’m feeling a rush of happiness already! Just making the DECISION to implement these changes has caused a surge of energy to pour through me. Now I have more time to spend with my husband. (Since I will no longer schedule appointments in the evening. ~Who can see colors properly then anyway?) And now that I’m delegating the bookkeeping, I have more time for new clients and more sales. I have more time to do what I love most; creating beautiful spaces for my clients!

And now there is real power behind these goals. By acknowledging and feeling the emotions that come from these achievements, you experience the happiness that you seek in your imagination. Your subconscious mind will begin to activate even more opportunities and ideas to fuel the actions you must take to achieve your goals. There may be other things that you would put on your list. What would they be?

By adding a deadline, such as “by the end of this month”- or, better yet, scheduling it on your calendar, you give even more power to the goal. It also becomes measurable. The goals should be realistic in the sense that you must believe in their possibility. The cost for accounting services may get you doubting. But consider what you may be willing  to “swap” (not give up) for it. Maybe that fancy little latte every morning, eating out at a cozy little  eatery instead of an extravagant high end restaurant, spending $50 dollars instead of $180 at your  neighbor’s Pampered Chef party... Pretty soon, you will be making more than you are spending on accounting because of the extra time you have for  designing and selling. You won’t need to worry about swapping your “little luxuries” for long.

There are many strategies to setting goals and goal mapping. The one thing that I have recognized as the common denominator in all of the goals I have achieved is the DECISION to obtain or do whatever it is that I want. Discovering what you want is key, and is another subject worthy of your exploration.

This is just a small sampling of what we do in a goal mapping session. Creating a blueprint to work from accelerates effortless achievement of your goals.


Cheryl Shelley Craig –   Maximizer - Optimizer - Marketing Muse
Waterfalls of ideas for growing your business and achieving more. Visit her Web site at: www.cherylcraig.net
Copyright © 2008 by Cheryl Shelley Craig