I am going to be honest with you. I hate setting goals. I have never been very good at keeping them. In actual fact I am good at setting goals but terrible at carrying them out. I am also a hypocrite. I have told many people that they need to set goals to find myself doing the opposite.

Allow me tell you something else that is true. You must fail in order to succeed. Every success is given birth by failure. Some of the best inventions came after many attempts at success - that failed. So let’s start by saying that failure is a part of success. You must fail, which brings me to this point. You have to know what does not work in order to know what will work. I must find out what is wrong with the goals that I am setting. I must find out what does not work for me when setting goals.

Put failure in perspective. I am not saying that failure as a whole brings success. What I am saying is that if something fails it is relative to the overall success of any given desired result. So now one can determine that action “A” did not work, so we can discount “A” in relation to success in this particular project.

You see goals can be painful. Goals force you to face your actual circumstances as they are and then require you to make a commitment to making things better. Nobody wants to know what is wrong they just want to be told what to do to make it right. So I see in myself that I fail in executing the goals that I set. Then I ask myself why? I notice that you can say things like I want to earn $5000 a month. This is very nice - but I do not like what I have to do in order to achieve it - or worst still I write down what I need to do, agree on it, but in the back of my mind there is a sense of disbelief. Then there is the point when I realize that it is not practical given the circumstances that I am in at the present time. One might say in order to earn $5000 I need to learn new techniques then apply them, once applied I need to test and fix what does not work. The problem with this is time. If I have a job how many hours can I allocate to this and then how will I have time to have a life, have a little fun. So I see there are problems. I begin to see why my desire to get a certain result may fail, or rather will fail based on my current status.

The common thread here is the element of failure in terms of the way I am setting goals. This leads to the following, nobody wants to fail. We are thought that failure is bad. That is why so few succeed because so many do not want to fail. I can tell you what I realized in myself. When things go wrong I loose all motivation and this leads to poor execution. Then when setting new goals there is a subconscious disbelief to achieving success purely due to the fact that I failed so often. But what I never did is see that failure is the key to success.

You see we hear in all the movies that failure is not an option, but that is just romantic theory because things will go wrong. I myself did not handle failure very well. I just wanted someone to tell me what works. However life is not like that. There is also the element of laziness. “Are you telling me after doing all this I might fail? Why bother even starting then”? So you may realize that your passion for what you are doing is shallow, or that you really do not have a big picture. Or that you really do not like what you are doing. Or that you just want the glory, the image or the money.

Let me tell you that nobody can set goals for you. Nobody knows there situation better than you do. This is like those poor folks who join get quick rich schemes. The problem is not the system but the fact that the person engaging in it, may not have the resources, time or dedication to execute the plan all the way to success.

So you see you must be frightfully honest and open to failure, and then you must be prepared to thrash it out in extreme detail. Once that is done I can tell you that success is the only option.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter at http://www.learningfromdvds.com and get your free e-book on memory, along with a wide selection of Self Help DVDs.

Paul Hegarty is the owner of learningfromdvds.com. A guide to educational DVDs with price comparisons, reviews, and free E-books. Read this month’s e-book on "How To Spot A fraudulent Email". Grab your free copy today.

Growing Towards Excellence

Would you like to become a better person? If I did a survey asking people this question, I’m sure I would receive 100% response YES!

Let me ask you a question:

"Who started today deciding on one thing they were going to be aware of and work on today to make them a better person?"

I asked this question recently to a room full of people and only one person said YES!

Many of us have desires and aspirations that we would like to see fulfilled in our lives, but are not actively taking action to make those things happen. It can be difficult to relate what happens in the present to the results we would like to see in the future. However the future is prepared for today, by the choices we make and the way we invest our time and energy.

Most people want to be the best they can be, but get discouraged because it seems such a huge mountain to get there. We live close to Burnaby Mountain, and often take the dogs for a walk there. There’s a really pleasant trail near the bottom, shaded by trees, along the bank of a stream However when it is time to walk home up the steep hill the prospect seems daunting. I can never walk up it without pausing for a break somewhere. At the steepest part of the hill every step seems a huge effort, and I eventually stop to get my breath. When I look back however, it is amazing to realize how far I’ve come. My whole perspective changes! The process of walking is automatic normally. When we walk, our mind focuses on other things unless the going gets tough. We make progress but it is not a conscious process. That is because walking has become a natural habit for us. This is also true of life and the skills we learn. The mechanics of driving a vehicle become second nature, as the skills become so well practiced and familiar that we do not conscious think through each action. It becomes almost instinctive, as natural to us as breathing.

To consistently grow towards becoming better in our lives we need to create new habits that will move us there. At first implementing a new behaviour, thought pattern, or action into our lifestyle is a very conscious act. It’s like walking up the steepest part of the mountain. However that is only in the beginning stages. It only takes thirty days to form a new habit. Then, that positive habit in our life becomes more a natural part of us. It moves to the more subconscious part of our life.

Pat Riley said “Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.”

To move towards more excellence in your life, the journey starts and will continue to be one small step at a time. One small step a day is far more effective than to make a resolution to take a huge jump forward, and then not make any progress for a while.

Gradual - it is a process, and not seeing the results immediately can be discouraging. One helpful thing to do is to set small landmarks with some motivating reward when they are achieved. It is good to have the attitude and habit of always striving to do better in every area of life all the time. However I would also suggest a focus on one main thing at a time, and as that becomes habitual in your life, select another area of focus. Always -it needs to be every day; a small discipline at first that becomes a positive habit. I would suggest developing as part of your morning routine a time and place when you deliberately pause and reflect on the new lifestyle habit you are presently working on. During that time consider your specific goals for that day. What arte you specifically going to do or how will you change a thinking pattern to reinforce your growth in that area. Set a goal for the day. It is helpful to read or carry with you a short sentence or quote that will motivate and remind you of your goal during the day. Perhaps a Post it note in the car, or kitchen as a way of re-focusing during the day, it needs to be a daily conscious act, otherwise days missed turn into weeks, discouragement sets in and it becomes easy to give up. When a new habit is formed and is part of your lifestyle when you look back you will be amazed at the changes you see.

To take even just a couple of minutes set aside at the beginning of your day is a very powerful key and works well. We all need frequent encouragement and motivation. It also is an excellent way to start your day positively, and will set the tone for the day. Knowing how important daily motivation is, I have compiled a collection of quotes taken from people who have taken these principles and applied them successfully to their lives. If you need an inspirational tool to aid you in this process of growing towards better in your life this e book is for you. You can have a quote to help you to set your goal for the day every day for a year. The book can easily be printed, so you can take your quote with you. To find more information, or to get this book within minutes go to http://www.livingbeyondbetter.com/daily-quotes.html

Barbara White, a former Principal and teacher, is now president of Beyond Better Development. As a speaker and author, Barbara brings her passion and expertise to work with people to help them grow towards excellence and their unique potential in their personal and professional life.

This article was written for her complimentary newsletter Growing Beyond Better.

This article may be used with the authors name and website http://www.livingbeyondbetter.com included. Please email a link or forward a copy of the publication if published.

Happy Bingxu!!! (No, we haven’t gone off the deep end - yet!)

Bingxu happens to be the Chinese name for the year 2006, which started January 29th. The Chinese calendar runs in 60-year cycles (this relates to the orbital period of Jupiter). You should do a google search on 60-year cycles some time and see what you find.

Great stuff.

Here’s a related success principle:

Laura and I have two cats and one of them is a Persian crossbreed. Problem is, Greybeard doesn’t know he’s a cat. He thinks he’s a dog! Sits like a dog, sleeps like a dog, power trots like a dog…maybe he IS a dog.

Now, a couple of our subscribers have since written in to let us know that THEIR cats move and act like dogs too.

So I know my pointy-eared friend is not alone.

He’s had some challenges lately. Monday (only a day after the Chinese New Year), I took him in to get a tumor removed from under his chin. While they were at it, they took a "shady looking" bump off from behind his ear.

The other day, I was petting him and you won’t believe it - I found another one.

I was up early one morning planning out my day when I got to thinking about Greybeard and his tumors. That’s when I recognized he was teaching me a success principle. I’m going to share it with you now so you can start acting upon it right away.

Ready?

Ok, so then let me ask you this: do you have some sort of tumor in YOUR life right now that is keeping you from reaching your goals?

Too much debt?

Bad health?

Spending too much time with the wrong people?

Maybe they’re shooting down your thoughts and ideas left and right?

You might be saying, "hey Keith, where did THAT come from?"

You know, we all act as mirrors for each other. And the fact is, it’s easier to ’see ourselves’ when a mirror is put up in front of us.

So what do you see? What in your life is promoting sickness instead of vitality? Depression instead of joy? Confusion instead of one-pointed focus?

Whatever your "tumor" is, let’s make a commitment ..

Let’s CUT OUT the tumors in our lives.

Then we can even take it another step and go after the root-cause.

Ready to make this YOUR year?

If you want to cut out the ugly tumors and start attracting massive success right away, then I recommend you take advantage of some of the tools Laura and I have put together for you: How To Attract Success

Take action and start moving toward the kind of financial and emotional freedom you deserve.

You Deserve It!

Keith Matthew and Laura Roman Lopez, America’s foremost Law of Attraction mentors have been helping people build their businesses and live their dreams for the past 12 years. For more information on their goal-setting and wealth building techniques, visit =>http://www.pathwaystopower.com

"….. there is no final goal. There is always further to go. It is a voyage of unending discovery, and as in all such voyages, what is gathered by the wayside is often as valuable as what is found at the destination."
G.I. Gurdjieff

The game of life and success is the game of illusions! Why do I make such a comment after explaining about how to achieve your goals? It’s an illusion because once you reach the goal you don’t stop taking the action. A lot of people, when they are setting their goals to reach somewhere, they think that reaching it is the end. This, as I stated is an illusion.

When the person goes to the gym with the goal of a beautiful physique, it is a noble goal to strive for. However, it doesn’t end there. What happens when the person reaches it? Does that mean the end of the action? No! The person now has to maintain that body that they have taken so long to reach. Due to the disciplines and practices that they have undertaken in order to reach this point, it is now ingrained in them to take the action. The person cannot envision a day when they stop taking this action entirely. This habit was formed by consistency.

In the same way, a person who wants to be successful does not end the quest once he/she reaches that level of success. It’s now time to maintain that success by continuing to take action as well as to make more of their potential. A person who has reached the initial level of success that they have strived for has also developed so many disciplines that have become habits that it’s now easier for them to reach higher goals. If you have learned how to develop new habits at one time, it becomes a lot easier to develop another one.

In this aspect, the gym teaches you that reaching your goal is not the end, rather it’s the beginning. You never knew you could reach this goal, and now you are here! Imagine how much more you can do that you never thought possible. I don’t think anyone has ever seen this truth! Reaching your goal is not the end. It is only the beginning. The beginning of exploring your full potential is realized when you achieve what you once thought to be impossible! Now you can realize more and more of your potential.

Realizing your goals is the beginning step of setting even higher goals for yourself! The journey never ends! It goes on until you realize that your potential is so great that even if you live to be a million years you can never exhaust it! In the amount of time that you now have, see how much of that you can tap! Don’t end with the achievement of your initial goals! Strive for more, do more, and live a complete life! Challenge yourself! I dare you!

Sukhbir Singh is the Founder of LifeApps! Personal Development International Co., Ltd based in Bangkok, Thailand. The article above is excerpted from his book Success Lessons from the Gym. If you are interested in obtaining the entire book in electronic format, you are requested to send an email to info@lifeapps.com

Are you setting goals? I used to subscribe to the belief that goals were not important. I mean, you never knew what life would throw at you, so why plan? Well, I started setting goals a couple of years ago, and I can’t tell you how incredibly my life changed. If you want to get anywhere, you’ve got to know where you’re going. And goals are just the tools to help you do that. More than likely, you will tweak your plans and revise your goals along the way, but the goals are there for guidance. Did you know that writing down your goals increases your chances of achieving them by 70 percent? Those are pretty good odds! The simple formula I’m about to show you will ensure that the goals you set can easily be achieved.

When setting goals, your goals should be SMART. SMART goals were created by Paul J. Meyer in his book, “Attitude is Everything.” SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Tangible. This is starting to look difficult, isn’t it? I promise you, it’s easy. And, once you learn this formula, you will increase your chances of achieving your goal exponentially.

First, your goal must be specific. It’s not enough to say, “My goal is to increase my income.” This is not specific enough. Increase your income to what? And how are you going to increase your income? It’s better to say something like “By the end of 2006, I want to increase my income by 50% by marketing my services to another demographic.” You see the difference? Be as specific as possible when creating your goals.

Next, your goal should be measurable. In the example above, you would definitely know by how much you have increased your income. You must have a way of measuring your progress.

Your goal must also be attainable. In other words, you must actually be able to break it down into smaller steps and achieve each step leading to the larger goal. When you say you want to increase your income by 50% by the end of the year by marketing to another demographic, you need to make a plan. Your plan would include things like, create marketing materials for the new demographic. You’ll break your goal down into smaller manageable pieces. That way, you can achieve the small steps that lead up to the larger goal.

Next, your goal must be realistic. For example, if you were to say, “I want to lose 120 pounds in 1 month” that is well out of the realm of reality. Setting goals that are unrealistic, or unattainable, will not only set you up for failure, but they will be discouraging and frustrating.

Finally, your goal must be tangible. A tangible goal can be experienced with one of the senses. You can see an increase in income. You can feel a newly created product, you can see and feel weight-loss.

Now, think about what you want your business to look like by the end of 2006. If you’ve set goals, are they SMART? If you need to, tweak them so that they help you map out a solid plan. Once you’ve got your plan, you must put it in action. The only way you’re going to get anywhere is to move in the direction you want to go. Think of it this way: SMART goals + plan + action = achievement. Seem too easy? It honestly is. Yes, there are going to be times when you will need to tweak the plan. But, with the plan in place, you’ll always know where you are headed. So even if you do need to make adjustments, you can always get back on track.

Copyright 2006 Jennifer Givler

Jenn Givler is an Empowerment Coach who helps entrepreneurs and those on the verge of entrepreneurship gain clarity about their business and exceed their business goals. Get her free e-book Be Empowered! http://www.jgivlercoaching.com/newsletter.htm

It is from intentions that all things manifest. To intend to go to point B from point A will result in the arrival at point B. However, there must be an action. To arrive at point B, there must be action taken at some point.

Let’s say that point B is a football game. Those that arrived must have intended to arrive there. Not everyone arrived in the same way (the action). Some may have walked, others rode the bus, some took the train or subway, or drove. But, no matter how they arrived, they all intended to arrive at the game. It is intention combined with action that produces desired results.

No action is to have no intention. To have an intention to go to the football game and take no action means that there was never any intention. So it is with life. To be wherever you are in life is based upon intention or lack thereof. Everything we have is stems from intention.

Everything we lack is from stems from a lack of intention Be clear about intentions. Intentions are not wishful thinking. Make only intentions upon which you plan to take action.

To walk blindly is not always the wisest decision. The intention of what you are asking for is all important. For that is what you will create. This is what will manifest.

To have no intention is also an intention and leaves you open to be blown around. A time of chaos may follow.

Be clear on your intention. Today I intend to_________________________________________

Eric Johnson is a regular contributor to the Investor’s Value View financial newsletter. To reach Mr. Johnson for comments or to learn more about the Investor’s Value View newsletter, visit http://www.valueview.net

Being goal oriented is one possible asset in achieving success in any field. It does not ensure success, but I have no doubt that it can be a very useful tool. I used it as a development tool when I was an employee, and for the past ten years have set my own personal objectives in whatever it is that I have done for my own business.

Setting goals is like setting out a route on a map before you set off on a journey. To get from A to D you have to go via B and C first, and you may set target times for those interim destinations in order to arrive at D in the allotted time. Business and personal goals can be much the same.

You may, for an example, start a business whose products you want to be distributed nationally, say the whole of the UK. But to achieve that, you may recognize that you first have to establish a local market, and that can become your first goal. Next, when you have perfected the distribution locally, your goal becomes a regional distribution network, say South East England. As each goal is successfully achieved, it lays the foundation for the next. Distribution to all of England, then Wales and so on until the whole of the UK is covered.

A business, of course, has many essential elements, all of which can be subject to their own goals. Financial goals are important, as are product development and market share goals. They are part of a planning process which acknowledges the fact that you cannot go from nowhere, to being the top company in any market, without various essential achievements along the way.

I like to compare goal setting to building a skyscraper. That involves very detailed planning based on a vision by the architect, and then the building taking shape from the foundations up. Each floor is not completed until the structure below is sound and ready. Can you put up a building roof first? No, of course not. You would need to mix extreme impatience with ultimate stupidity to do such a thing. This comparison is worth remembering as you plan for your own success, whether it is as an employee, as a business owner, or in your personal life. Plan, make some firm foundations, then build one floor at a time. Each floor can be a goal; the completed skyscraper your vision of your own success.

Being goal oriented, though, does set its own traps for you. Focusing entirely on the next goal can turn it into an obsession that starts to override your personal life, and eventually your own happiness. Any career or business goals do need to be in balance with your personal existence. There is not much point in achieving each of your goals, when each one takes you further from your children, your spouse and your friends. You may end up with your skyscraper complete, but no occupants with whom to share. The end result could be worthless as you find yourself estranged from those who were close to you.

It is possible to marry your goals with your family and your own happiness. When you envision what you are trying to achieve, try to incorporate in that vision your closest family and friends. Try to include in that vision the way of life you will want to emerge at the time each separate goal is achieved, and when the final objective is complete. If your personal life becomes an integral part of the objectives and goals you set, then the end result will naturally be balanced, and you will be far happier for it; so will your family.

This setting goals and objectives article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner and part author of the Routes To Self Improvement website, which includes many other of his success articles.

Don’t let go of your dreams. If you have determination and belief in your dreams, you will succeed in spite of your desire to let go.

One notable person who demonstrated this attitude was Washington Roebling. He and his father had a dream of building a suspension bridge. Not long after starting construction, his father died. Washington carried on but was struck with the paralyzing caisson disease. It was impossible for him to go to the site. But possessed with a dream, a strong desire, and with the help of his wife, Emily, he was able to complete the Brooklyn Bridge.

This story has many themes in it: determination; your dreams; and choice.

Here was a man who suffered the death of his father and became paralyzed, yet, because he was determined he did not give up on his dreams!

In every situation we have a choice. We can either choose the negative or we can choose the positive — the choice is ours. In Washington’s situation he could have felt sorry for himself and gave up on his project. He chose, however, to continue with the help of others.

In situations you are confronted with which do you choose. . . the positive or the negative?

About The Author:
Catherine Pulsifer is one of the editors of Words of Wisdom 4 U, http://www.wow4u.com. You will find a collection of inspirational quotes, inspirational poems, and more at Words of Wisdom 4 U!

Let me tell you about the exact moment I went from struggling, near failure, to SUCCESS! I learned /realized I did NOT have a strategy. So, I then learned HOW to create one, it doubled my business in 1 year - and it will do AT LEAST that for you! If there is one thing you can do that will explode your business more than anything else, it’s this: Create a plan! With a proper plan in place, your business can reach new heights at an incredible rate… AND you will be able to keep the momentum going. So what needs to be in your plan to be the most effective? Simple. You need to incorporate various strategies and tactics that will drive you towards your end goal. Before I go on, I want to define exactly what I mean by ’strategies’ and ‘tactics.’ Strategies are the ideas on what you can do to dramatically improve your business.

Tactics explain exactly what you are going to do step by step to implement your strategies. A great plan has both. And when lined up correctly, there’s no way you will miss your goal. Now, in this email, I’m just going to give you some BASICS as to how YOU can do this. To come up with your strategies, first… Decide EXACTLY what you want! Now you have "strategic objective"…

Next, take a piece of paper and write down the 10 things you KNOW would have to happen for you to achieve that Goal/Objective. Guess what! You now have your: Strategic Objective. Your Strategy (the 10 things you need to do) Your TACTICS are the Actual ACTION Items you take to achieve one of the 10 things on your list. NOW - Just do an ACTION at least 1 per day that leads to you being able to physically cross one of the 10 things on your list off, and now, you’re working far more efficiently than at least 90% of the so-called entrepreneurs out there! Your no longer are reacting to each day and hoping something happens. You are being PRO active and MAKING things happen! Congratulations!

Tim Altvater has been actively involved with the home business industry since 1999. Mr. Altvater has written several articles and training programs.

Home Business Ideas

Lately I have been studying mindset and goals, and wanted to share a Success story in our family.

Our 3 year old Quinn is potty training, and has had a huge goal to get "Gordon the tank engine". We were having a hard time getting him accustomed to the idea of using the toilet, until one day we went to Barnes and Noble. Was it a book on Potty training you might ask???? No!! We were looking in the Kids section, and up on the top shelf, Quinn eyed a Gordon Engine toy. Quinn has always been a fan of Thomas, but this was a burning desire. For the next hour every word that came out of his mouth was "Gordon", and it ended in a screaming fit when we tried to leave. As I was doing research on goals. I thought "Hey lets give this a shot"

So I sat Down with Quinn and told him that if he went Potty in the toilet for one week, he could have Gordon. He smiled and said "Gordon"…I said you can have it, but you have to work for it.

The next day my wife made him a chart. On the chart was a train track, with picture of Gordon. Each day that he completed his goal of going Potty in the toilet, he could move Gordon one stop closer to the end of the track. Everyday we would go over the chart and talk about Gordon. We built the dream with him, and showed him pictures, and games of Gordon online.

Well today Quinn finished his week long trek and we are going to buy Gordon tomorrow.! Congratulations Quinn!!!

So how does this apply to you and I?????

Well Quinn had a huge dream.. he wanted that train. We set a goal that was a stretch for him to achieve his dream of the toy. We tracked his daily progress and reviewed his dream VS. his actions. It wasn’t until he achieved his goal that he got his dream. You can have it, but you have to work for it.

Set goals..track it daily.. review your goals…make your dream come true!!!

Shane Clevenger has been in Network Marketing for ten years, and has a current mission to help entreprenuers on their road to financial freedom. He can be reached at http://www.shaneclevenger.com