Goal Setting and Achievement in 2009

The first of the year is always a time when people evaluate their lives and plan changes. As a network marketer, it is important to set your annual goals and develop a plan to reach them. Here is a system that I learned many years ago, that has helped me achieve many of my lifetime goals.

The first step is to have a PURPOSE. Purpose is the reason you are striving toward something. It's the why for "why" for what you do. Your overall purpose is what God intended you to do here on earth. For instance, my purpose is to help people live happier, more fulfilling lives. I know this because I was given the talents to write and speak effectively. I also get a great deal of enjoyment out of helping people, even when there is no financial remuneration. You can also have a purpose for your network marketing business. For example, your purpose might be to achieve time and financial freedom.

Once you have determined your purpose, you should write it as a statement: My purpose is . . . at the top of a piece of paper.

Now you're ready to set some goals based on this purpose.

Goals are really the stepping stones on the way to your purpose. All your goals should revolve around and contribute to your purpose. Plus, there are some rules when setting goals. First, they must be written. Goals in your head will never be achieved. Goals on paper have a fighting chance. Second, your goals must be S.M.A.R.T.

S = Sincere. You must believe in your goals and they must fit your purpose.

M = Measurable. Your goals must be measurable in order for you to know when you've achieved the goal.

A = Accessible. Your goals must be achievable under your current circumstances, knowledge, and abilities.

R = Realistic. Your goals must be realistically achieved within the time frame you have.

T = Timely. Your goals must all work together and not conflict with each other. Goals must have the right timing in your life.

You should start the year by writing SMART goals for four areas in your life: Spiritual, Family, Business, and Personal. If you don't have much experience with goal achievement, I would suggest that you set no more than 2 goals in each area. Each goal should be written in the present tense, as if you had already achieved it and should contain as much detail as possible.

For example, if you're business goal was to recruit 50 people by December 31, 2009, you would write: "It's the last day of December and I have achieved my goal of recruiting 50 new distributors this year. Many of them are very motivated and have already built networks of their own. It's fun to have all these new friends helping me build my business, while I help them build theirs." Write these goals on your piece of paper (the one you wrote your purpose on) under your purpose statement.

Once you have your goals set, it's time to develop a plan to achieve the goals. The first step is to determine the steps or activities necessary to achieve the goals. In our example above, recruiting 50 people this year, some of the steps would be: make up a list of prospects, prepare an information package, mail the information package to the first 20 on my list, call to let them know the information is in the mail and to set up a follow-up call, do the follow-up call, sign them up or provide more information, follow-up until the sign up. Write the steps under each goal on your piece of paper.

Once you have the steps written for each goal, then start to plan these activities into your daily schedule. The best way to do this is to review your purpose, goals, and steps each day. Determine what time slots you have available, prioritize the steps/activities and fill the time slots with your highest priority steps/activities.

Then complete these steps/activities every day. If something of a higher priority comes in during the day and you can't complete a step/activity, transfer it to the next day. Make sure you re-prioritize each day to ensure that you are working on the most important things at all times. Do this activity, follow these steps throughout the year and you will achieve the majority, if not all of your goals for the year and next year at this time you will look back on an awesome year.

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Rod Nichols has been involved in the network marketing industry since 1979, as a company founder/owner, distributor, consultant, trainer, coach, and author. His books Successful Network Marketing for the 21st Century and Would You Like to Dig In My Goldmine? were industry best sellers for several years and his newest books,  The Twelve Power Secrets for Network Marketing Success and The Ideal Business are quickly becoming must reads for anyone serious about success in network marketing.  Rod has trained tens of thousands of people and is know as a “nuts and bolts” trainer. He is available to speak at conventions, conferences, regionals, or any other event requiring a dynamic outside speaker. Rod is also available to coach individuals and small teams. More information about Rod, his fees, and other great network marketing resources are available on his website at www.RodNichols.com or you can e-mail him at Rod@RodNichols.com
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