Giving The Nay Sayers In Your Life Something To Chew On – Other Than You!

March 22nd, 2011 Posted in Goals
Mar, 22 2011
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If you’re someone with big hairy audacious goals (like publishing a book or inventing a product or becoming financially free), chances are, that there are those in your circle of influence who love to tell you that you can’t accomplish said dream for any one of a million reasons – all of which likely apply more to them than they do to you. However, even if you don’t take it to heart, many times you still have to process through the junk their words leave you with. Dream stealing is not cool and many times, those people don’t realize how damaging their words of wisdom really are to someone else’s self-esteem and life’s dreams.

My great uncle George was a school teacher in the 20’s and 30’s in a village in Ohio. He was a good school teacher, everybody said as much, except… he chewed tobacco. And he was bold about how much he chewed it. He received letters about it and had to defend his behaviour many times.

Finally, a good friend of his took him aside and told him, “If you just stop chewing tobacco, they’d stop finding fault with you.”

To which uncle George responded, “I doubt it. If I stop chewing it, they’d find something else to complain about and it might be something I care a whole lot more about. I don’t care a bit about chewing tobacco, they can complain about my chewing tobacco all they please. If I give them something obvious to focus on, then they won’t find time to attack the things that really would upset me, like my teaching.”

This is not an article that is pro-chewing tobacco, just to set the record straight on that score. But, in the 20’s that wasn’t near as taboo as it is today. But the point is, that uncle George chose a flambouyant behavior and let it take the brunt of the criticism that came his way. The behaviour kept attention deflected from his real purpose in life, that was to teach the children as best he knew how. No one interfered with him about that and he was considered an inspiring teacher. He still teaches us – even today.

If you have big plans you’re trying to accomplish, and you find those plans are the topic of all the conversation around you, and that conversation is detrimental to your self-esteem or those voices keep running in your head when you’re working on your dream, then find a flambouyant bone to throw into the mix.

Change your hairstyle, dye it blue, peirce something, get a tattoo (henna is fine), take up a controversial hobby, find a trashy TV show to become a very vocal fan of, buy an exotic pet, buy hot-pink pillows or rug for the living room. Do something – anything (fair and legal) that will take attention off of what you need to focus on and put it on something frivolous and carefree – that you actually have no emotional attachment to at all. It will be interesting. It will keep the conversation lively and it’ll keep the dream stealers from talking bad about your dream!

 

Maslow said that “You need to be independent of the good opinion of others.” That is absolutely true. However, once something has been said, it is impossible to unsay it. If that something is harmful to you or your big plans, then it is something that you have to heal from. This technique will help short-circuit that whole problem. Give the people you talk to something else to pick on!

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Performance Coaching: Get An Actions Plan For Success

March 22nd, 2011 Posted in Goals
Mar, 22 2011
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In today’s blog post, we dive into Step 2 in our performance coaching goal setting process and develop action plans for every one of our goals.

Step 2: Focus

  • Identify the strategies you’ll use to achieve the goal
  • Chunk it down
  • Set explicit actions you can measure
  • Make them realistic
  • Set short as well as long terms actions

Identify strategies you’ll use to achieve the goals

What are the actions you want to take to achieve your goals i.e. technically, tactically, physically, mentally and that kind of stuff.

What do you need to do to enhance each one of these areas? Ask your coach and other professionals to help here if you are not sure.

Break down your actions into small pieces so it is straightforward to take action!

It is like having a big plate of food in front of you. You eat it one bite at a time! When you break things down into little bites, you can attain anything you set your mind to do.

All your actions must be precise and measurable, so you’ll know when you have achieved it.
As an example, an action might be to complete 100 repetitions of a skill every day for thirty days and so, you may know exactly when you have achieved it.

Make them realistic

It is no use setting goals or actions you can not reach. Target high but be realistic.

You are not going to be breaking world records in a week from now! It needs time and tons of difficult work! Set yourself up for success by setting plenty of smaller goals along the way to the big goal that actually stretches you.

It is so important that you have fun and really enjoy the journey.

Set short as well as long-term actions

Actions must be set for right now, and just as importantly for a few months time and likewise even a couple of years time too.

I first remember meeting Bill Sweetenham, who at the time was the Head Swimming Coach at the Australian Institute of Sport and I was blown away with his detailed planning he had already done for every one of his charges for the following four year Olympic cycle.

And obviously, it was no surprise to see their success at the following Olympic Games.

This step requires some time writing. Make that time. It is a gift to your future. Plan to make it extraordinary.

For more awesome perfomance coaching tips check out Ann Quinn’s peak performance website right now!

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Goal Setting That Gets Results

March 22nd, 2011 Posted in Goals
Mar, 22 2011
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Why are goals important? Well, we all want to know how to succeed in life, and goals function to give us direction and purpose in order to become successful. What is really exciting about setting goals and achieving them is where they can take you – what you can become in pursuing them.

For example, if you are a parent, you might find that it helps to set goals in regard to your self confidence.

In fact, it is important to remember that we all undergo a learning process just in becoming fully functioning adults – in fact your first goal setting success may well have been to toddle across the room and pick up a toy, although you may be more conscious of using goals in order to pass exams.  It is our approach to personal development, and ultimately our own experience of learning, growing and developing which is fundamental in defining our approach to the ‘challenge’ of further self improvement.

1. How To Set a Goal

If you are already wondering how to succeed in your goals, you must begin by knowing what it is that you are after; which direction you are going in.

To help you identify the personal goals or professional goals you should aim for, focus on asking yourself this: ‘What is important to you?’, ‘What do you want to do?’, ‘What do you want to achieve?’ To be successful you must learn to know where it is you want to go in life!

For example, imagine going on a holiday without knowing where you are going. You wouldn’t be happy if your bags were packed for some sun, but you landed in Iceland. Think about it – when you don’t know where you are going you can easily end up somewhere you don’t intend to be!

Write your goals down in a way that inspires you, maybe using pictures, flow charts, photos even. And remember there is no goal setting formula for this – goals are simply dreams recorded.

 

2. Planning Goal Setting

A plan is like a map, it allows you to see what you need to do to get to where you want to be. Imagine you want to build a castle. Before a single stone is laid, you need to think carefully about your plans. How big will the castle be? How many towers? Will there be a dungeon? You need to give consideration to the type of materials that you will need. The more you think and plan, the more likely you are to have a strong and fantastic castle. But you can’t hope to achieve your goal if you DO NOT PLAN.

Think about your destination, the point you want to get to, and work back from there to where you are now. Imagine working backwards like this and you are likely to isolate any challenges to your goal.

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. So get planning your goals!

3. Commit To Success

Make a deal with yourself, telling yourself that, whatever happens, you will do what you have promised, and make sure that you keep that promise! If you do this, it will help you become stronger and more confident, as well as help with achieving your goals. You will begin to develop the unshakable perseverance you need on your journey. Be strong in your commitment and most of all, believe in yourself. Amazing potential is within you, but it is up to you to bring it out!

A winner never quits and a quitter never wins!

It may not be easy, but nothing that is truly worth achieving ever is. The journey through life is full of challenges, but as you travel you will learn and grow. Think back to your learning experiences and those first steps which soon became great strides.  Enjoy this opportunity to think about what you would like to do with your life and focus on becoming a success story.

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Powerful Goal Setting Using The Three R’s

March 22nd, 2011 Posted in Goals
Mar, 22 2011
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In todays post, we move onto Step five in our goal setting process and learn one of the systems that top athletes use to achieve their goals.

Step 5: Read, Review and Reward

  • Read aloud your goals at least once each and every day
  • Review your action plans once a week
  • Reward yourself set milestones for celebration

Daily Discipline of Success – Read your goals once or more a day

Sounds straightforward but so few people do it! Do this daily to turn on the power of your dreams and increase your motivation. Remember, failure is not an option. Set yourself up to win!

This is simply accomplished by placing your goals in places where you will see them daily, for example in the bathroom, in your wallet, your sports bag, your automobile, your diary or perhaps the

fridge

! Have them as a pop up on your PC. Write them on index cards and leave beside your bed to read every morning and night. Have another set for your purse or wallet and carry them with you wherever you go so when you have a spare minute, you can simply read them.

There’s actually truth in the parable out of view, out of mind. Do not let this happen to your goals. And don’t just read them, say them with enthusiasm and passion and feel and see them already done and how great you are feeling. Experience the pleasure, pride and excitement of having achieved your dream. Feels great, doesn’t it?

Review your action plans once a week

Be certain to check your progress frequently. Are you on track? Perhaps you need to change some action points? Not achieving what you want is a part of the process helping you adjust what you do. Maybe you are a step ahead and can add some tougher actions to complete in the approaching month?

Ask your coaches for their findings. Feedback is the breakfast of champs. You want consistent and regular feedback to keep you on target. If you were driving to a new town you had never been before, you’d be checking the map and the road signs to be certain you are on the right road. It is precisely the same with your training. Wherever you are at, review and re-evaluate your action plans each week.

Reward yourself! Set check points for celebration

When you have achieved your goal, or perhaps a gigantic action, treat yourself to a reward and celebrate your success. This is the fun part. Add in some things you would adore to buy or things to do. They can be as little or big as you like! Enjoy!

Often athletes get so focused on their goals that they don’t stop to enjoy the journey. Remember life is a journey, not a destination. The accolades and adulations and incredible feelings you’re feeling when you achieve your sporting dreams do not last for long and the secret’s to ensure you have fun through the process and en-route to your dreams. One rule you must obey is that you can’t get your reward until you have finished your goals.

To get more info about how to join the ranks of top athletes, check out Ann Quinn’s peak performance website now!

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How To Stay Inspired Beyond The First Few Steps

July 20th, 2010 Posted in Goals
Jul, 20 2010
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Whatever your goals may be, staying motivated is essential in conquering these goals. Whether you are trying to lose weight or start your own business, staying inspired through the process may be a little harder as time goes by. It may not be hard to get motivated when you first begin, it’s carrying this inspiration beyond the first phase of your goal that may be hard. However, if you are dedicated to achieving your goal, read on for more tips on how to stay motivated.

Push yourself forward, even when you feel like you’re not making progress. Pushing through the tough spots will help you get to where you want to be, even if it doesn’t feel like it now. For instance, are you trying to lose weight? You may have even sought out a personal trainer for help. Stay patient on your journey. Remind yourself that it probably took years to gain the weight and it will take time to lose it.

Continuously envision your goal. What is your ultimate aim? Have you been trying so hard to reach it that you’ve just been getting lost in the chaos? Getting too preoccupied with the technicalities of reaching your goal can be consuming. Make sure that you think about your ultimate goal while you are going through the motions.

Plans sometimes change. You may have thought that pregnancy first would be your priority in your adult life, however, you may have been too consumed with your career. Evaluate your priorities and use patience as a means to reach your goal.

You may feel a bit discouraged when it seems like you’re not getting anything done right. However, stop this thought process and simply believe in your ability to achieve. If you do not believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. After all, you will teach people how to feel and think about you.

Remind yourself of the things you’ve done right. Remember the successes. Keep track of all of the things you’ve succeeded in doing and all that you’ve accomplished along your journey so far. This will help you push out self-doubt from your thought process.

Get help when you need it. You can not do everything on your own. This is applicable for starting your own business, or if you’re simply trying to put your new sleigh beds together. Avoid unnecessary frustrations by seeking the help of people who know what they are doing. When you are not stuck on a problem area trying to resolve it for what seems like forever, it will help you stay motivated easier.

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A Goal A Day Keeps The Dream Alive

July 20th, 2010 Posted in Goals
Jul, 20 2010
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Why Should You Set Goals?

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Wonder why some people just do not have access to one inch from what they dream to be? Blame it on pure dreaming and lack of definition of goals to achieve their dreams.

Setting goals is a very significant part of success and positive accomplishments. It is like scaling a 20 feet building and marking early on what feet you would like to reach at this specific period.

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People who set goals literally create a map to achieve their purpose in life, marking where to start, where to stay, where to delve a bit, and where and when to stop. Once this map is created, it allows the map drawer to check where he is in the scheme of things and whether or not he is making some achievements that will take him closer to his goals.

By setting goals, people will know how they are doing and what they should be doing to achieve their targets or dreams in life. They will know if they can relax or if they have to double their efforts when they are falling short of what is expected of them. Setting goals means a person who is active in solving problems that may affect his plans.

Being proactive means one is able to outline possible difficulties that may occur as solutions to those difficulties. By doing this, a person is not easily scared or defeated when challenges occur because he has already prepared for them. He knows they can happen and he has prepared a solution or strategy when that time comes.

Setting goals will enable people to track their progress in whatever endeavor they have set out to do. This will help people become more confident in themselves and more motivated to achieve their plans.

However, goal setting is not enough, as it should be accompanied by a positive outlook and self discipline. A person may have a blueprint of where he wants to go, but if he does not have the necessary discipline to carry out the plan, then nothing will come out of it.

To be successful in goal setting, the goals that one has set for himself should be realistic and based on his capabilities, as well as selected and important external factors. Too ambitious in setting goals can be unrealistic and difficult goals to achieve. However, do not also set goals that are too low because this might discourage one’s vision instead of achieving it. It is also necessary that the person setting the blueprint for his direction should also include a time frame within which the goal will be achieved. This way, he is able to determine if he has to fast track his strategies or to slow down a bit.

Goal setting will also help a person check if he is performing within his plans or if he is doing things towards the achievement of his plans. Once you have achieved something, even a little of what you hoped to achieve, then you should always give yourself a pat in the back to keep you motivated. But do not be too complacent with any little achievement, as this may cause you to backslide.

Setting goals can be used in any aspect of one’s life – from one’s personal or family life, to his career and finances. Goal setting can be as simple as setting a target weight when you wish to lose pounds or something big, like earning your first million. When setting goals, it is always important to set standards that would suit your present situation, your capabilities, and other factors that may influence the achievement of your goal.

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