The first step to becoming successful.

Thanks, I like writing down most of my things, and goals, being the most important guiding principles, need to be written down. It makes it stick.

Great advice for getting started the right way. I have come to realize that your ideas and dreams won't just happen on their own. Nobody is going to show up to my door with a sack full of cash and say "You just won the lottery - even though you didn't buy a ticket! Now go make all your dreams come true!" (been waiting far too long for that to happen)

So right! You have to write down your goals - no two ways about it! This will help keep you on track.

I always stick to this, writing down my goals comes first, second comes telling my family and friends about it. This way I feel I have to stick with it, and give it my best shot, to show my friends and family that I mean what I say!

I totally agree with this. When I have goals in mind, I should write them down first. It helps me get motivated every single day.

Step 4: take action :-)

if I get to step 3 and stop, I would get stuck :-) imagining is good, but really having it is best.

Hi Andrew

Thanks for sharing the advice.

Not that I'm disagreeing with you because I have always thought it was a good idea to share your goals as well but I saw this interesting video from Derek Silvers at TED Conference recently.

The jist of which is you should not share your goals because it stops you from taking action.

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Great points! Especially goal setting combined with visualization.

Its true that writing down the initial goal really helps. You said step two is to communicate as many possible. Do you think social media marketing like facebook, linkedin can help in this regard?

hossainsrj - I could see how social media can help by communicating your goals with others and networking. By discussing your goals with others that have the capacity to help you get there, you add to the resources you have at your disposal (i.e. money, time, talent, ideas, experience) to help you achieve them.

You said it right. A goal not written is just another thought. In order to transcend that thought, we got to jot it down and visualize different ways to achieve. Though I am apprehensive when it comes to sharing my goals because in most of the cases I become complacent when I share my goals.

So true still trying to make my first 100 bucks through google adsense, still at zero but still will not quit!

setting a goal and a plane to achive it .
and also hardwork

Yep! Even though I don't like to, many say that it's important.

I want to share this video, I've seen it several times because it's so good. See all 3 parts.

I do agree with what you stated Andrew! Being able to share what you acquired is the most fulfilling thing to do especially if you share it with people with the same interest as you have. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts to us. Two thumbs up for you!

This is pretty much what Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill is all about.
I have really enjoyed studying this matter, even bought the book from Amazon. Quite motivating.

3 easy steps...you've got it!

That's all it takes...then...TAKE ACTION!

I like the idea of sharing goals with everyone you know...it helps with motivation.

I have my 2012 goals posted for all to see in my office...3 pages long!

According to me the first step in the road to success is to identify your destination. You have to know what you want to achieve before you can actually achieve it. Many people do not know what they really want in their life, and that is why they live a mediocre life like a lost sheep without a clear direction in life. If you want to be successful, you must first find out what you really want to achieve in your life.

When you write a goal it kick starts the activities and thoughts in your brain that this is important, I better start finding ways to fulfill this thing (goal in this case). Only 3 percent of people actually right their goals and make plans, however these only 3 percent are known for 70-80 percent of the finances of the world

Those steps are excellent. I like the first line: a goal not written down is just a wish. It is true. I have never done it until recently and I feel everything becomes much clearer and it makes it more achievable.

How many times has a person like you has said to write down your goals? I think too many, but yet it's nice to hear it once again. Writing doesn't mean typing but actually pen in hand on a piece of paper.

There's something about the act of writing down your dreams, goals that sends a message to our brains and the universe that we want something to happen in our lives. Somehow, some way a plan will develop or the actual goal will materialize. Funny how things work but they do work.

thanks again for validating that fact of life.

I love the approach of goal setting. Though right now I'm going for a more relaxed approach. Only time will tell how that works out :-)

However I am a big fan of vision boards, goal cards and the like :-)

Good point Andrew, I have same thing in mind. Writing your goals is very important.

damn this is really really important goals are one thing everything else is commentary

I agree in some places and would like to add to some of the others. Firstly if someone has reached a big enough threshold (monday morning in a call centre, just come off a crap call and there and then decides 'f#ck this, come hell or high water im going to be a successful internet marketer' - this person doesn't necessarily have to write down his/her goal, that inner drive has stamped it onto the inside of his eyelids.
I agree to tell as many people as possible, on the proviso that you are clear not everyone may be as enthusiastic as you - sometimes you have to 'build' your vision before other people can be enthusiastic about it. Saying that it helps to tell other people because you never know who can help you out.
Finally research has shown that people who imagine the feeling of having achieved the outcome lose the enthusiasm to pursue their goal and do not anticipate setbacks along the way (read Prof Wiseman book '59 seconds' for more info). An alternative approach can be to visualise the process, set backs and all so you can begin to get a full sensory representation of you going through the process of achieving the goal, a little like how an athlete will visualise the full race, rather than just the moment he hits the finish line in first place.
Aaron Morton

I agree in some places and would like to add to some of the others. Firstly if someone has reached a big enough threshold (monday morning in a call centre, just come off a crap call and there and then decides 'f#ck this, come hell or high water im going to be a successful internet marketer' - this person doesn't necessarily have to write down his/her goal, that inner drive has stamped it onto the inside of his eyelids.
I agree to tell as many people as possible, on the proviso that you are clear not everyone may be as enthusiastic as you - sometimes you have to 'build' your vision before other people can be enthusiastic about it. Saying that it helps to tell other people because you never know who can help you out.
Finally research has shown that people who imagine the feeling of having achieved the outcome lose the enthusiasm to pursue their goal and do not anticipate setbacks along the way (read Prof Wiseman book '59 seconds' for more info). An alternative approach can be to visualise the process, set backs and all so you can begin to get a full sensory representation of you going through the process of achieving the goal, a little like how an athlete will visualise the full race, rather than just the moment he hits the finish line in first place.
Aaron Morton