Each and every one of us has goals. The fortunate thing about goals is that we have the power to set the height of our achievement ceiling wherever we want according to our desire for success and our tolerance for the work required to attain them. Sounds pretty simple and straight forward, right? Set a goal and get to work. If only it were that simple. Fact is it could be that simple if we would only get out of our own way and "just do it" as the Nike commercial used to say.
Goal Setting and Follow-through...
Having a goal is crucial to the momentum of our personal and professional lives. One of the most basic steps of goal-setting is to start by setting achievable goals that support our objectives. Notice I didn't say to set "realistic" or "easy" goals. Those terms are entirely too vague and do little-to-nothing to provide the validation required to help us grow. Having incremental goals that lead to a defining objective — our ceiling — is an important part of the process of goal setting and goal attainment.
A Goal is Just a Goal...
A goal is just a goal...until you take the first step that sets it into motion. Be sure to set achievement milestones that allow you to gauge and celebrate the steady progression toward the goals that define you (or your objective). Each milestone achievement brings renewed insight and perspective that helps propel you toward your ultimate goal. Celebrate each milestone. After all, each achievement serves as a foothold in the progression of your journey and is worthy of celebration. Be quick to notice the personal transformation taking place in your life as the progression brings new experiences, insight, and wisdom.
One of the most critical aspects of goal-setting is consistent follow-through. Frankly speaking, we can set all the goals we want but if we don't follow through with action we may as well not set goals at all. Action is the catalyst that provides momentum. A personal transformation takes place in the midst of momentum that affirms our ability to attain that which we desire. "You can do it" takes on an entirely different meaning when we actually know it through the affirmation of our own experiences.
Goals should never be set by the standards and abilities of other people...unless they are clearly defined as "team goals." Keep in mind, however, that even when goals are defined by a team or group, we have an individual responsibility to do our part to ensure the team succeeds.
Define Your Ceiling
How high is your ceiling? Don't ever be afraid to set GRAND goals.
Want to be the best salesperson in your organization? Want to lose weight, get in the best shape of your life and rock a body you're proud of? Declare it and set that goal. Just don't forget to kick start your quest with action, follow-through, and to mark your progress with incremental goals. These elements will validate your direction while they shape your experiences and lead you to greatness.
By the way, when you get close to your ceiling, it'll be time to raise the roof!
Until next time...
-G-
"The first step in getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are."
~ J. P. Morgan
"Set a goal so big that you know you can't achieve it until you grow into the person who can."
~ Unknown
We're proud to announce Gary's next book, set to be released this summer. FEAR is a Thief is the first in a self-empowerment series that is written to help people get past fear using five fundamental truths as a basis for understanding and taking action for a better life. Also be sure to check out: KEY HORIZON, the second novel in the G. Weston spy series. This thriller is receiving rave reviews across the spectrum and has captivated a new following of "spy-fi" readers.
Get your copy of Westfal's first novel Dream Operative.
Order your copy of these exciting novels today at Amazon.com.
For a comprehensive perspective on the diversity of Gary Westfal, please visit his website (www.gwestfal.com).
If you'd like to receive a notification anytime Gary publishes a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit his Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator.
Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom left of the column. You'll be subscribed and will receive a notification anytime he publishes a new blog or provides updates. Please help Gary by recommending this blog to others and by "liking" his Facebook page. Let's push this deserving author to the top among the greats where he belongs.
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Success is one of the most broadly defined terms in the lexicon or jargon of achievement-minded people. It's no wonder then that more people are often uncertain whether they have truly achieved success in any real sense.
Let's agree for a moment that success, even in its broadest context, is personally defined. You actually get to define what success looks and feels like for your life. What an awesome opportunity! Be careful not to define it by the standards of others, however, because their formula will not work for your version of success. Claiming your definition assures your ultimate happiness and actually assures the fact that success will be indeed achieved. Also, beware of the inherent danger of defining your success against a monetary standard. While money is an element of success it should never be used as the standard by which success is measured. The only pure measure of success is happiness.
Contrary to popular belief, we do not pursue success, we attract it. One of the most exciting things about this philosophy is that the attraction formula is relatively easy to follow and the results are almost immediate. With a clear vision, presence of mind, and a determination for change, we have the power to attract elements of success into our lives. Those elements ignite an evidentiary transformation that reminds of the things we must do daily in order to reach the ideal of our defined model of success.
As we make small changes in our lives we begin to experience the positive results that are attached to those new disciplines—most of which are experiences that occur...almost immediately. Our biggest responsibility is to recognize the changes and to systematically build upon them. The positive results we experience serve as a confirmation that we're on the right path and as motivators that power our determination to become better at developing even more disciplines.
As we begin to see the course of our lives shift toward our ideal definition of success we are reminded that the only way we can attract success is through a philosophy that begins with a personal transformation of patience and persistence. Do the right thing consistently and success will find its way to you. And remember, success is a process, not an event, so exercise patience while knowing that you are attracting success through the transformation process one step at a time.
Until next time...
-G-
"Attract what you expect, reflect what you desire, become what you respect, mirror what you admire."
~ Unknown
We're proud to announce Gary's next book, set to be released this summer. FEAR is a Thief is the first in a self-empowerment series that is written to help people get past fear using five fundamental truths as a basis for understanding and taking action for a better life. Also be sure to check out: KEY HORIZON, the second novel in the G. Weston spy series. This thriller is receiving rave reviews across the spectrum and has captivated a new following of "spy-fi" readers.
Get your copy of Westfal's first novel Dream Operative.
Order your copy of these exciting novels today at Amazon.com.
For a comprehensive perspective on the diversity of Gary Westfal, please visit his website (www.gwestfal.com).
If you'd like to receive a notification anytime Gary publishes a new blog (currently about every two weeks), visit his Facebook page: G. Gary Westfal, Writer, Artist Educator.
Once there, click on "Get Update via RSS" on the bottom left of the column. You'll be subscribed and will receive a notification anytime he publishes a new blog or provides updates. Please help Gary by recommending this blog to others and by "liking" his Facebook page. Let's push this deserving author to the top among the greats where he belongs.
Please help the author reach more people. If you enjoyed this article you can help by recommending it on Google by pressing the "g+1" button below...
A goal is just a goal...until you take the first step that sets it into motion. Be sure to set achievement milestones that allow you to gauge and celebrate the steady progression toward the goals that define you (or your objective). Each milestone achievement brings renewed insight and perspective that helps propel you toward your ultimate goal. Celebrate each milestone. After all, each achievement serves as a foothold in the progression of your journey and is worthy of celebration. Be quick to notice the personal transformation taking place in your life as the progression brings new experiences, insight, and wisdom. 
