Have Goals, Will Succeed

Have a goal? Write it down.

Now you’re more likely to achieve it.

We’ve all been told this a thousand times.

We know, we know: Writing down your goals focuses your mind on exactly what you want to achieve. And when you focus on it, you’re more likely to attract it. 

Want an even better edge, though?
Tell someone else.

Then give them weekly updates on your progress.
Now you’re even more likely to hit those goals—33% more likely than those who simply think about their goals, according to a research study.

I’ll take that kind of increase all day long!

The University Study That Proves It

The study was conducted by psychology professor Dr. Gail Matthews. It included people from 23 to 72 years old, from all different backgrounds.
Their goals? Everything from writing a chapter for a book to increasing their income.  They were separated into groups and given different instructions.

Let’s go through the steps of exactly what the best performing group did.

•    Step 1: Think about business goals that you want to accomplish in the next 4 weeks. The people who took this step only achieved 43% of their goals.
•    Step 2: Write them down.
•    Step 3: Write specific action items for each one. These are commitments—what you will do, step by step, to reach every goal.
•    Step 4: Share your goals and action items with a friend. The group that did steps 1 through 4 hit 64% of their goals.
•    Step 5: Send your friend weekly updates on your progress. People who took this extra step achieved 76% of their goals!

Now, bear in mind that you need to set reasonable goals.

What do I mean?

If you’re 5’2”, you’re probably not going to make it into the NBA any time soon.

Or, if you’re goal is to make it to the moon—unfortunately they are shutting down the NASA space program.

But if you want to make a million dollars, why not? That’s an achievable goal.

Most people have the ability to do this.

It’s a matter of focused action.

Four Weeks at a Time

I like the short time frame of this study.

It’s harder to stay focused on achieving a goal that’s a year or more out—even 6 months is a long time.

So if you just focus on 4 weeks at a time, you’re really achieving small goals. This gives you motivation to keep it up.

If you do it consistently over the long haul, those small goals grow big.

Going back to the million-dollar goal: It may take you 2 to 3 years to achieve this.

BUT what can you do in the next 4 weeks? Write it down!

After you reach that goal, you can set a goal to double it in the next 4 weeks. And keep doubling it—until you hit that million dollar goal. 

Just use this step-by-step formula for success.

Every 4 weeks do your goal exercises: Write it down. Commit to specific actions. Tell a friend. Update that friend every week.

You’ll be reaching your goals in no time!