January 11, 2007 Vol 1 Issue 2
Good Thursday to all!
Thank you for the amazing response to the first issue! Thanks to everyone for the encouragement, pushing and prodding... to launch Best Impressions and fulfill a dream / goal of mine.
Last week, it was time to add another rule to Murphy's Law: No matter how many times you read it and have friends proof it -- the minute it leaves your server you see the TYPO!! Oh well, I'm working on the "Get it Good and Get it Out" rule these days... as many of you know, I've struggled with perfectionism paralysis... Now, there is nothing wrong with perfect, but it shouldn't stop you from going for your dreams.
To Success!
Sharon
That Four Letter Word - GOAL
Some people think goal is a "four-letter word"... I know I use too... I had an amazing discovery in the last couple of weeks. Goals work best when written down! I know, that may be a DUH moment for some of you, but for me it has been an eye-opener. You can do it on a computer, or handwritten, or even flip charts, whatever works for you. It works best if it is more than just scribbling something on the back of a bar napkin—goals need to be complete and focused. The focus may not come right away, but still get it written down. You can always add to it. View it as a road map for your life and business.
On a side note: I did a "brain-dump" over the holidays with all the ideas for great projects I've been holding in my head. Those "Wing and A Dream" ideas we talked about last week. I was surprised that there were 11 project ideas, many with multiple side ideas, as well as, 4 "action items", e.g. exercise. I chose a bulletin board and color-coded index cards. (I'm a visual learner) I have friends that do it on a calendar, one does it in a journal... What are some ways that work for you?
Goals gain strength when written down. Since I did the bulletin board, I've been amazed at what I've gotten done. As good ideas come to me for ways to complete each project, I make a little note on another card and pin it under the main project.
What is the difference between a dream and a goal?
The main difference between a dream and a goal is a goal has a date or number.
IE's GOAL FORMULA looks like this:
VERB + NOUN + DATE/NUMBER = GOAL
E.g.,
• Increase sales by 20% in 2007.
• Produce 1 million XYZ Widgets by June 30, 2007.
Write the goal in the positive, not the negative. Set goals for what you want, not for what you don't want. Make sure that what you are going to spend time on is something you want, not just something that sounds good. The more specific the better. Write it out in as much detail as you can at this time, using the verb + noun + date/number = your goal formula. You can always continue to add to it as it becomes clearer.
That's it. Think it. Write it.
Set your goal high enough, even if you don't make it within your time frame, you are just that much closer... I did an Internet search for a good quote and found this quote that was credited to Confucius (China's most famous teacher and philosopher, 551-479 BC) “If you shoot for the stars and hit the moon, it's OK. But you've got to shoot for something. A lot of people don't even shoot.” Now, it doesn't really read like something the ancient philosopher might say, but it's a good thought anyway.
Telling another person adds a deeper dimension to the process. Having a witness(es) makes a difference when Bright Shiny Opportunities (BSOs) come up throughout the year that will affect whether the goals get closer or further away from what is wanted.
Go for it.
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The difference between a goal and dream is a number
VERB + NOUN + DATE/NUMBER = GOAL
Write it down. Make it real.
—impressionengineers.com
A printable Action Quote pdf—Goal Formula.pdf
Sharon Sayler—impression engineers.com ©2006. E-mail us.
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