This document outlines an 8-step guide to effective goal setting: 1) Create SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. 2) Determine your motivations and the costs of not achieving the goal. 3) Identify your most important priorities. 4) Distinguish between needs and wants. 5) Anticipate obstacles and strategies to overcome them. 6) Make a detailed plan of action. 7) Define daily tasks to progress toward the goal. 8) Leverage the power of your subconscious mind through affirmations, writing goals, and creating a vision board. The overall process provides a framework to set meaningful goals and achieve them through preparation and focused effort.

1. 8 Steps Guide to
Goal Setting
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2. 1) Create S.M.A.R.T. goals?
S pecific
M easurable
A chievable
R ealistic
T ime-Based
Example
“My Goal is to run my business earning a minimum US$100,000 monthly
by 1 January 2012, 0000hrs (GMT +08:00).”
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3. 2) Determine (a) why you must achieve your goal -
(b) the pain associated with not achieving the goal –
and (c) the pleasure of achieving the goal.
Going back to the example given above…
(a) Achieving this goal will make me financially secure
(b) Not achieving this goal will mean working for other people and
creating money for them
(c) Achieving this income would give me the time and freedom to do the
things I love-
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4. 3) Ask yourself this question: What do you consider is
the most important thing in your life?
Is it family, relationships, personal growth, health &
well being, career & financial development…
whatever it is, identifying the most important thing in
your life right now helps you to focus and set clear
goals based on your priorities.
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5. 4) Is your goal a NEED or a WANT?
There is a thin line between a NEED and a WANT however there’s a big
difference between the two.
We all want to achieve a lot of things – that dream house and/or car, to
write a book, to have that million $$$ earning business, the ability to
support a charity etc, etc... But why can’t most people achieve those
dreams?
Simply because the desire is not strong enough, it is not something that
needs to get done! Unless you make your goal a must, it is very likely you
would never achieve it.
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6. 5) Find out obstacles and ways to overcome them to
start achieving your goals.
Knowing what you must achieve is not enough. You have to anticipate the
challenges you are likely to face. Think about what you can do to deal with
those challenges and perhaps turn them into opportunities.
Going back to the “millionaire goal”, some obstacles could be the lack of
know-how and suitable, qualified mentors. One way to overcome this
obstacle is to attend seminars, read books, listen to mentors and attend
events that will broaden your knowledge and adopt a similar mindset as
that of successful people.
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7. 6) Make a plan to achieve your goal.
Know your emotional ‘Why’. The stronger your ‘Why’ is will make you
reveal the ‘How’.
 List down the skills you have that will contribute towards reaching your goal
 Who are the people you know or should know to achieve your goal
 List down concrete steps you must do that will move you closer to your goal
 Be consistent and commit to these steps
Your “How” prepares you to execute on your goal. Rack your brains, form
a mastermind group. Think about HOW you are going to achieve your goal.
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8. 7) What must you do every day to reach your goal?
To get where you want to go, you have to change what
doesn’t work. Installing new empowering habits is crucial.
Now that you know your target and you know how you are
going to achieve it, delve into the details of what needs to be
done every single day to move you forward, gradually but
surely, towards it.
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9. 8) Use the power of your sub-conscious mind?
Learn to harness the power of your sub-conscious
mind. There are 3 ways you can do that:
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10. 8.a) Train Your Brain
The sub-conscious mind cannot differentiate between truth
and lies. If you repeat something over and over again, your
sub-conscious mind will believe it to be true.
One way to capitalize on this fact is to make an audio
recording of your desires and dreams. Listen to this every
night just before you sleep and every morning just after you
wake up. These are the times your sub-conscious mind is most
receptive.
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11. 8.b) Write down your goals
It is very important to have your goals written down and pasted on places
you frequent such as your desk and the bathroom mirror. This will fill your
sub-conscious mind with constant thoughts about those goals. Let the
power of your sub-conscious mind work in your favor.
8.c) Vision Board
A vision board is basically a pictorial representation of your goals/dreams.
You can create a vision board by using magazine clippings. An even more
powerful way is to create a Mind Movie. A mind movie uses the same
principle as that of a vision board but it uses both visual and audio senses.
Watch this in the morning once you wake-up and just before sleeping for
maximum effect.
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12. Now live an inspired life…
Share to inspire others too
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