The Priceless Lesson of Setting Goals

17 replies
I keep seeing people around WF who are frustrated with Internet Marketing because they aren't getting anywhere. I've been there, and I'm not out of the woods yet, but I learned a valuable lesson in a "real" job.

I could package that lesson and sell it, but it's priceless to me. I hope you will find it a priceless asset as well. It's simple and you've probably heard it before. So, what is it?

Goals. Set yourself some goals! By goals, I don't mean New Year's resolutions. It's kinda late for that anyway. I mean sit down with some paper and a pen. I know it sounds archaic...bear with me. Sit down, brainstorm, and make yourself a list. In fact, make several lists.

First, what do you want to accomplish? The big picture, what is it? Write it down. Yes, write it down, so when you start to wander, you can come back to it.

Make it something big. My current big picture is to become a successful PLR seller and quit my 9 to 5.

Now, brainstorm. Make a list of things that will bring you right up to your goal. If it's building a site, write that down! Write down everything that comes to mind. Commit it to paper because thoughts and ideas are easily forgotten.

You should have a long list now. The next step is to organize your list into a timeline. I use the following time increments: 1 month, 3 months, 9 months, 1 year, 5 years. You can set this up however you like. I have a small note page for each increment.

You're not done yet. This is going to be an ongoing process weekly, if not daily, so get used to it.

Now, here's the meat and potatoes. This is where the action takes place. If you made a 1 month list, focus on that for now. Create a list of actionable goals that will get your 1 month goals accomplished. Your timeline should feed into itself. Your daily/weekly goals should get your 1 month stuff done, you 1 month stuff should move you up to get your 3 month stuff done, and so on...until you reach that big picture you see for yourself.

This won't work unless you do two important things:

-- Commit to it
-- Remove ALL excuses from your life

You must be unstoppable to succeed at anything. This is your chance and goals are the sharpest tool in your shed. People who set goals are more productive. You can do this. You can make money online. You got this, just organize your mind and don't give me that ADD crap. I've dealt with ADD for 26 years. I get stuff done. So can you when you put your mind to it, stop being lazy, and stop looking for the easy way. Set a goal today. Accomplish! Share with others on the thread.
#goals #lesson #priceless #setting
  • Profile picture of the author ryanman
    I like what brian tracy has to say on this subject. It's a simple yet extremely powerful formula, here is how it works -

    1- Write down your 10 main goals for the month.
    2- Write down 10 ways to achieve each of those goals which means 10 each for every goal.
    3- At the end of each day focus on what you did that day which brought you towards your goal and what you didn't do which you should have done.

    Not only will you end up at least twice as productive but you will also have an active check on where your time is being spent.
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    • Profile picture of the author nickdamodda
      Originally Posted by ryanman View Post

      I like what brian tracy has to say on this subject. It's a simple yet extremely powerful formula, here is how it works -

      1- Write down your 10 main goals for the month.
      2- Write down 10 ways to achieve each of those goals which means 10 each for every goal.
      3- At the end of each day focus on what you did that day which brought you towards your goal and what you didn't do which you should have done.

      Not only will you end up at least twice as productive but you will also have an active check on where your time is being spent.
      What if I don't have 10 goals?
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  • Profile picture of the author Ryan Parker
    Great post. I agree that settings goals is extremely important. Just by writing them down, your mindset instantly changes into focus mode, because you feel more inclined to complete them.
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    • Profile picture of the author paul_1
      Originally Posted by Ryan Parker View Post

      Great post. I agree that settings goals is extremely important. Just by writing them down, your mindset instantly changes into focus mode, because you feel more inclined to complete them.
      yeah, it's all in the mind - it's about getting the right mindset!
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      • Profile picture of the author svsets10
        This is a great post and exactly what I advocate in my weightloss niche. It really applies to any situation that you are trying to make progress. Setting goals and creating a plan is the only way that you will be successful. So many people talk about a lack of motivation.....this is because you don't have goals. If you set any type of goals and are a competitive person (afraid of failure) I really believe that you can succeed in anything. Once you have a clear plan to achieve those goals all you have to do is hold yourself accountable. I am just stepping into internet marketing, but what you have written works for life in general. It sounds simple but so many people forget goals. If you don't have enough pride in yourself to reach goals in whatever you are doing.....you might as well quit because you don't have what it takes to be successful. Great post that is often taken for granted.
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  • Profile picture of the author veheme
    My teacher last semester taught us a strategy in goal setting.

    First, make a goal (and make sure it's quite big).

    Out of that goal, make specific objectives. After the objectives, make action steps that you will do NOW or this week or slowly in order to meet the objectives.
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    • Profile picture of the author dfs_dean
      I've been having some problem with my goals lately, or actually doing my actionable tasks to move me toward the goals. In other words, there's been a lack of motivation hanging 'round me.

      When this happens to me, I'll revisit my goals. I'll be sure that I have the 'What' of each goal written out and the 'When' of each goal specified. But I'll make doubly sure I have the 'Why' of each goal. Why is the goal important to me? Why is it something I want to achieve? If I can't put into words exactly why I want to accomplish something, then I probably won't be very motivated to work towards it and it shouldn't be on my list of goals. But if I can put my Why's into words, then when my motivation wanes I can review my goals and revisit why each one is important to me. It sorta re-lights my fire, so to speak.

      It help me anyway.

      Just a side note. The big goals that several have mentioned.....before I left the corporate world some years back we had the acronym for them. Everything had to have an acronym. I think consultants made up acronyms just so they could try to sell them. Anyway, the big goals were B-HAGs. Everything started with a B-HAG.....Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal. Not that it adds anything here, but it just came to mind.

      Peace
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      Find something to enjoy about reality. It's not going to go away.
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  • Profile picture of the author Patrick Batty
    Great post "Waxing"

    You hit the nail on the head with this.

    I was thinking about it the other day, and I even wrote a blog post about it, at The Biggest Internet Marketing Secret

    I think goal setting, focus, and taking action is probably the most critical element of internet marketing. And it's especially so if someone is trying to make a full time income from internet marketing.

    If someone is doing that, no doubt they are subscribers to a number of lists, they keep on top of Warrior Forums etc., and they are no doubt, BOMBARDED by endless WSOs for tools, training and schemes to help them succeed. Clearly some tools and training are worthwhile.. but too much just leads to nowhere.

    This can lead to non stop "thrashing" as I call it. Never getting anything really ever complete, by grabbing onto new bells and whistles every week, or every day, for that matter.

    I'm as guilty of this as the next guy. In fact, it seems there are thousands of us that seem to suffer from Internet Marketing ADD!
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  • Profile picture of the author Ron Killian
    Great post. From what I've seen over the years, including myself, is that you have to believe 100% you can do it (like you said, being unstoppable), and taking massive action.

    When I started years back, I knew it was going to work (even though my wife had doubts), and I did what it took to make it happen. Course many times I still back slide after many years of doing IM.
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  • Profile picture of the author CPADNA
    It is also important to make realistic goals that are attainable, so you don't get discouraged.
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    • Profile picture of the author Social Media Ava
      Originally Posted by CPADNA View Post

      It is also important to make realistic goals that are attainable, so you don't get discouraged.
      You are right. If you always make goals that are just beyond your reach, you will become quickly discouraged. At the same time, you should also push yourself in your goal setting. I find that many times I AM capable of more. I tend to "go easy" on myself at times because I'm so hard on myself when I fail. It's a fine line...attainable, yet challenging.

      The bottom line stays the same. Once I began setting goals because I was forced to at my job, the idea spilled over into other aspects of my life. I set goals for everything now. It helps me stay focused. Writing them down allows me to refer back to them anytime even when I don't have access to my computer.

      I'm glad so many have commented and added their own successes with goal setting and ideas to the thread. I truly hope it helps someone out there struggling.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tadresources
    Well said! I am a firm believer in setting goals and I've always had a "5 Year Plan" in the back of my mind.
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  • Profile picture of the author damasgate
    I really like your post waxing

    Just to add to what you're saying. I really do think that it's important to make your daily goals have a physical existence in that they should be written down so they can be right in front of your face.
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    • Profile picture of the author jerryp
      This is a great thread. I've got some goal setting ideas that I've gotten from this thread. I'm looking forward to implementing and reaching them. Thanks for starting this one Waxing.
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      • Profile picture of the author PattC
        Great ideas Waxing. I would also add that Jack Canfield, author of the Success Principles, encourages you to write your goals on 3x5 index cards and carry them with you to review a few times a day. Also, make your goals into a screensaver. I liked that idea.
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  • Profile picture of the author Eric McShannon
    good post, setting goals know what you want is a big step in getting there.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sara Veron
    Thanks for sharing
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