A simple formula
When you set goals write them down. This is critical.
Many of us have vague goals we set every New Year’s Eve. We call these goals New Year’s resolutions.
We laugh a few weeks later because we have hit none of our resolutions.
“Oh, well,” we think. “Maybe next year!”
It does not need to be this way.
I set goals every New Year. I even call them New Year’s resolutions. And, I hit many of them.
I hit my goals because I use a specific formula.
First, I come up with a goal. I make sure the goal is crystal clear. For me, this is the most difficult step.
Second, I write the goal down.
Third, I break the goal into monthly, weekly, and daily action steps. I then turn these steps into a checklist.
Fourth, I take action every day on those daily steps.
Fifth, using a checklist, I track my progress toward my goal.
Sixth, once a week, usually on Sundays, I read over my long-term goals again.
Write down your goals
Look at this list again. Let’s make it personal to you.
First, come up with a goal. Make sure the goal is crystal clear. Take the time to do this now. This step is difficult.
Second, write the goal down.
Third, break the goal into monthly, weekly, and daily action steps.
Fourth, take action every day on those daily steps.
Fifth, track your progress.
Sixth, look at your goals weekly. Make sure you are still on track.
When setting New Year’s Resolutions, most of us reach step one and we go no further.
Look at step two.
Whatever your goal is, write it down. Write it down the old-fashioned way. With a pen and a piece of paper.
Write your goal in a journal, a diary, or a notebook. Write your goal on a 3×5 card. Write your goal on the back of a grocery receipt.
Just write the goal down.
Something almost magical happens when we write our goals down.
Zig Ziglar reminded people often of the power of writing your goals.
He claimed you could write ten goals down on a piece of paper, toss the paper into a desk drawer and forget about it.
If you discovered the piece of paper a year later, you would find you had hit 80% of the goals on your list.
