New Year – New You – How?

It can be simple or it can be complicated.

Which would you like it to be?

Yes, it is up to you.

Nothing in this world is complicated – nothing – except those things which people make complicated. 

Man-Made Complications can be:

• an excuse – “My life is so complicated, no one can figure it out.”
• a fantasy – “I’m so special, there are no answers for me”
• appearance of false self-importance – “I’m so superior intellectually no one else can understand what I know”
• keep people out or away – “If you don’t understand, then you can’t be a part of my world.”
• get rich – “I know something you don’t.  If you want to know, you’ll have to pay me a lot of money to fix you”

How do I know?  Experience. 

Experience has taught me that life is actually quite simple. Human thought makes it complicated.

Humans see themselves as the most intelligent of beasts, however, that notion can also separate us and create an atmosphere in which it is possible for some but not all.

Anything is possible for everyone.  It depends on how we’ve been programmed.  And programmed we’ve all been by our parents, relatives, friends, academia, society, books, tv, internet, and a host of other sources impacting your life.

The great thing about people is that they can re-program themselves if they give up notions.  Step-by-step, as a process, it can be done successfully.

If you are a subscriber, you have found that the free goal setting you received when you signed up to this blog has allowed you to achieve some of your goals.  Why?  What is a goal? 

A goal is simply an attempt to change your life.  Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t.  Why?  Because you find that you really didn’t want what you thought you wanted and couldn’t stick with the program.  Lack of “stickability” tells you the goal you set out to accomplish was not something you really, really want.

New you – what is that?  It’s simply a goal.  Do you want it?

If you do, then use the goal accomplishing system you’ve received and begin – slowly, progressively, daily.

Lorraine Arams
http://www.wizetime.com

Related posts:

1. WHAT’S WRONG WITH NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS?
2. How Do You Measure a Goal You’ve Never Seen?
3. Why Do Your Goals Have to be Specific?

How can you ever possible measure something you’ve never seen?

This would seem to be a logical question.  However, in the previous post about specificity, you can easily see that any goal is actually measurable when you are clear about exactly what you want.

I used a car example.  Once you know all the details of the car, you can go online and find out what a car with those specific attributes will cost.  That’s your measurable – the cost of the car.  You know that when you have saved that much money, you can buy the car and your goal of owning that car is done – you’ve achieved it!  One of the steps will be easy to determine:  how much will you have to save each month and for how many months in order to attain that goal?

It’s the same with any goal you set.  Once the specifics have been worked out, the measurable can usually be quite easy to determine.

Do you think you can do it? Of course – it all starts with the details in the first part of SMART goal setting.

Lorraine Arams

http://www.wizeimte.com

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1. Goal Setting – A Review – How Are You Doing?
2. ARE YOU OFF YOUR GOAL RAILS YET? WHAT DO YOU DO?
3. Why Do Your Goals Have to be Specific?

Did you ever wonder why your goals need to have specificity to them?

The SMART system suggests that goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-based.

Why isn’t it good enough just to say,

• “I want a new car”
• “I want more money”
• “I am working to a degree”

For some people, it might quite clear why specificity is a good idea but for others, the reason may not stand out immediately.

I didn’t at first.  I thought what’s wrong with just wanting a new car or more money.  Of course, there was nothing wrong with it except there is no real definition – could I see “more money” – how much more and for what?

Owning It

One of the most important aspects of goal setting is “owning the goal”.  In other words, you can see it in your mind’s eye and  you can feel the feeling of owning it, doing it or experiencing it.  How can anyone stir up pictures and emotions without a specific description?

Writing down the specifics of the goal makes it more concrete.  What does the goal look like when it is completed?

For instance, if it’s a new car, what color is it? What make is it? How much does it cost?  What does the interior look like?  What model year is it?  What extras does it have?  Does it have air conditioning?  What kind of tires does it require?  What’s the size of the engine and how much will it cost to fill up the tank?  Where will you keep it?  How will the car be used? What is the highest speed it will travel?  Does it have 4-wheel drive?

If the description is such that you can read it to yourself or someone else and actually “see it” and “feel it”, then you have been successful in being specific about your goal.

Once the goal is specific, the other factors are quite easy to fill in.  It is this first criteria which is the most challenging and most important of all.

Try it – see if you can make your goal so very specific that you can actually “see it” and “feel it”.

Lorraine Arams

http://www.wizetime.com

Related posts:

1. How Do You Measure a Goal You’ve Never Seen?
2. Do You Really Have to Write Down Your Goals?
3. Would You Like to Know Why You Aren’t Achieving Your Goals?

Let’s review what we talked about this week regarding goal setting.

How are you doing?

Did you get some interesting insights on how to “tweak” your goal setting process or are you encouraged to set goals even if you have never done it before or failed to reach goals you had once set?

I started on the first day talking about Missing Link – a free product that is available to you on my website.  This system is actually a “new twist on an old theme” – taking what is generally accepted as the right way to set goals and adding one crucial component to the mix:  time management.  All you need do is visit my site and you’ll find the way to access that down loadable product.  It might just be the key that finally gets you to achieving a goal and spurs you on to set more goals and achieve them too.    Does Setting a Goal Get you the Result you Want?

Then   I introduced you to some supporting material from Zig Ziglar.  In Missing Link, there are steps to be taken.  Zig Ziglar points to the fact that assessing what the obstacles are and identifying the people who can help us decide what those steps might be.  And, of course, as in Missing Link – “What’s in it for me” is ever so important to achieving goals – you won’t unless you  Goal Setting – are you missing these important steps?  Likely!

And finally in the last blog, I introduced you to the visual component of setting goals. It’s a tool that is seldom recommended in goal setting exercises but which is very important in the goal setting process – it’s much easier to believe in something when you can see it – Best Tool to Help You Set Goals Visually -and it’s much easier to understand the steps to take, when to take them and how each step builds on the other.

We all love to play – and this element certainly adds the playful element to setting and achieving goals.  The company I recommended offered you the best of all – the inventor of mind mapping – who can explain it better than the person who created it?  The video tells the story and if you try the system, you’ll see how all the color truly makes it a magnificent way to build the map!  Best of all, you can work on it either on the computer or on paper – either way or both ways is very helpful.

I hope you learned some new things and I hope you can now see how blending these components combined with your own discipline and your belief in yourself, can get you on the right track to achieving your goals, getting what you want and realizing long-held dreams!

Lorraine Arams
Missing Link at http://www.wizetime.com

Related posts:

1. Does Setting a Goal Get You the Result You Want?
2. Goal Setting – Are You Missing These Important Steps? Likely!
3. How Do You Measure a Goal You’ve Never Seen?

What is the best tool to help you set goals visually?

You might be asking:  “Why would I want to have a visual of my goals in the first place?  Wouldn’t a goal setting system be enough?”

A goal setting system might be enough for some people especially with the added twist that I have put into Missing Link.  However, humans are visual and they like to “see”.  Think of a stop sign.  Do you see in your mind the picture of a stop sign?  Likely.  When you think of your favorite car, do you think in pictures?

What if you could “see” your goals before you get there? Would that help you with the steps outlined in Missing Link? Yes, of course.  Similar to a road trip, if you take out a map and look at the route you will take, it’s far easier to determine the best way to get somewhere than just getting into the car and driving – you’ll likely find some shortcuts and better alternate routes than the ones offered.

And here’s where one of the best tools for “picturing” your goals comes in – mind mapping.  Lots of people think they know mind mapping but in actual fact they try it and get muddled by the process.   There’s nothing like learning from the inventor – the inventor is usually the best person to explain how to use his own invention.  Many have copied his process but few have had the results because he knows how to explain his invention.  Watch this video:

Fascinating, isn’t it? This is truly a great way to help you set those steps I talk about in Missing Link. Once we can see something, it’s so much easier to see what comes next and next and next.

I encourage you to check out this system.  There’s nothing like learning a system from the inventor himself and I guarantee one thing – for most of us, this tool is an incredible way to help us with goal setting and goal achievement.  You’ll also find that this system lends itself to learning a new language, managing time better, developing projects, etc. and your children can use it to study.  It’s such an amazing tool, you’ll be glad you found it!  There are many other versions but this is the real thing!

Check it out – there’s only one decision you’ll make -”It’s for me!  Wow!”

And make sure that you download your complimentary copy of Missing Link at my website:  http://www.wizetime.com.  Combined with this mind mapping technique, you are sure to achieve your goals as you have never done before.  Even if you have never ever been successful before in setting and achieving goals, try Missing Link – you might just like it!  And better yet, your dreams will be realized!  Wow!  Wouldn’t that be fantastic!

Lorraine Arams
Complimentary copy of Missing Link at:

http://www.wizetime.com

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2. Goal Setting – A Review – How Are You Doing?
3. Would You Like to Know Why You Aren’t Achieving Your Goals?

Does setting a goal get you the result you want?

After all, you’ve defined what you want in each part of your life, set the date for completion, created some initial steps and it should happen, right?  You’re clear on what you want – you did the work – you honed all your dreams down to the ones you really want.  And you have pictures posted on your wall to remind you every day – a collage of the dreams!

Why doesn’t it for most people?

I used to teach a program in goal setting and it was always amazing to me the extraordinary enthusiasm generated by putting dreams down in writing and going through the process.  People were pumped!!! They were so excited!  Smiles, laughter, a bounce in their step – what a wonderful way to spend an afternoon – setting goals!

A year later, they were all back thinking they had missed something the first time and feeling quite dejected because most of the goals they had set the year before were not achieved; in some cases, none of their goals were realized or only partially.  Their self-esteem was in the tank! What was wrong? Was it the people’s lack of discipline?  Was it that the dream was not strong enough to be realized as a goal?  Were people lazy or just hooked on the dreaming part?  Did they really not want what they think they wanted?

Likely, it was a combination of many reasons the least of which that the same old goal setting process which had been around, tweaked, repackaged and sold over and over again as the thing to do to get to where you are going.   The “repeat customers” told the story of the effectiveness of these systems.

It got me thinking.  When things don’t work, I started trying to figure out why. Then, one day, it dawned on me!  The most critical element omitted by all goal setting programs:  time.  People had a life before they arrived at the goal setting afternoon and none of that life would likely change too much by the end of the afternoon.

I’ve developed a “new twist on an old theme” for you – complimentary – and I know it will work for you if you work the system – why? For one thing, you won’t be overwhelmed right from the start.  And because you won’t be overwhelmed, you’ll like succeed.  And if you succeed, you’ll likely repeat the process.  In the end, you’ll be the winner – your self-esteem will rise and, finally, yes, you’ll be added to the success stories of those who set goals and achieved them!

Who likes a little success in their lives?  Everyone! Once you begin to see that success can be achieved, you’ll keep doing it because you’ll feel good about yourself and your life!

It’s not totally without a cost – I’ll ask for your name and email address – you won’t have to put out any money. I’ll also ask you to send me your success stories – I know it’ll take a while to get your dreams to become a reality, and I’m willing to wait for those great success stories to reach me.

So go to my site:  http://wizetime.com and get your gratis copy of the “Missing Link” PDF and begin living the life you want!

Lorraine Arams

http://www.wizetime.com

Related posts:

1. Goal Setting – A Review – How Are You Doing?
2. Goal Setting – Are You Missing These Important Steps? Likely!
3. How Do You Measure a Goal You’ve Never Seen?

Are you achieving your goals?  Why?  What do you think is stopping you from reaching them? 

Or do you just like the dreaming and that’s enough for you?  After all, you likely have most everything you want in any case – job, family, friends, money and free time to enjoy your hobbies.  And that’s okay – it’s okay to have fun dreaming of possibilities.

For those of you who do set goals or New Year’s Resolutions, are you struggling to turn your dreams into goals and goals into reality?

If so, why not try a new approach based on time management. 

Stats haven’t changed much in years – 3% of the population achieve their goals – that means a whopping 97% of people who set goals never realize them.  Isn’t that amazing? 

It’s not because there are no courses, books, systems or loads of information, because there are  – you just need to go on Amazon and search goals – you’ll be amazed how much there is available.

So I asked myself why?  Why don’t people achieve their goals?  Is it because they really don’t want them but it’s a fun exercise to dream?  Perhaps.  Is it because their lives change and what seemed important at one time, isn’t so any longer?  Perhaps.  Is it that they really don’t want to read a 300-page book on attaining goals and apply the principles?  Perhaps.  Is it because the course is fun to take but, like so many things, learn and forget?  Perhaps.

Or it could be something else.  I thought it might be something else.

So I’ve created a new system based on some old principles used in books and courses plus I’ve added a new twist to the process.  This new twist combines several principles into a step-by-step system that I believe will allow people to achieve their goals.  It certainly has helped me get and stay on track. 

Staying on track with goals is the most difficult part.  Just like so many things in life, there are obstacles and, if there is no immediate loss, then goals take a back seat to potential losses which are immediately apparent.

It’s a 17-page fast read and fast implementation process  – at no cost to you!  That’s right – no cost.  It won’t cost you a cent.  However, I’d appreciate it if you would give me feedback how the system is working for you.    All you have to do is visit my site at http://www.wizetime.com.  You’ll find a box on the right hand side – fill it in and you’ll receive a download. 

Try it – you might like it! 

Lorraine Arams
http://www.wizetime.com
Time is your Life!

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1. Would You Like to Know Why You Aren’t Achieving Your Goals?
2. Do You Really Have to Write Down Your Goals?
3. How Do I Keep Track of My Goal Achieving Process?

Goals – what do they mean?  How many years have we had formulas for setting goals?  What was the message?  How can we understand goals when we view the Olympics?

The underlying message with setting goals was this:  set the goals according to a set formula, work the goals and you’ll achieve them – all of them – you’ll have the success you desire!

Personally, I questioned the goal setting exercises and formulas?  Why?  Because what I saw in the world was this:

• people who never set goals and achieved a great deal
• people who set goals and achieved some
• people who didn’t know what a goal or goal system was and yet achieved a satisfying life

I worked with seniors for five years and had some good chats with many of them.  I learned from some of them, the dreams they had when they were young and learned that most of them never really got to live their dreams.  Why?  Social norms, wars, parental pressures, illness, death in the family, lack of money, luck, etc.  Others achieved way beyond what they could ever dream.  Why?  Met the right people for all the wrong reaons, luck, family ties and connections, monetary resources readily available, good health, etc. 

Did you ever notice that when someone achieves success, interviewers ask them if they had a goal.  Sometimes the answer was yes and sometimes they said they achieved more than they could ever imagine. 

I wondered why interviewers  never talked to people who had failed and asked them if their goal was to fail.  Doesn’t make sense, does it?  No one sets out to fail.

Watching the Olympics and interviews with the athletes, all the athletes said they had a goal to get GOLD!  Every single one!  So, then why is it they didn’t? 

Did they fail to set a goal?  Did they fail to work hard to achieve that goal?  Did they not have a plan?  Did they have all the advice and training they required?  Did they make sacrifices?  Did they visualize?  Did they receive psychological training? Did they have the equipment they needed?  Were there facilities for them to practice?  Were there other competitions to win or lose?  Was there money available for them to prepare properly, have the right nutrition, get the right exercises to strengthen their bodies, etc?  The list is endless.

And this exemplifies for us the fallacy that goal setting is a definitive model for achieving what we want in life – there are no guarantees that with or without goals, a person will achieve what they want out of life.  Everyone has a dream to achieve something.  For some, it materializes.  For others, the majority of the people, it doesn’t. The majority of the athletes will go home without a medal.  One athlete left the Olympics in casket – was that his dream?

At the Olympics, it’s very clear that, despite everyone dreaming, training, working hard, competing, sacrificing, spending money, planning, etc., not everyone gets a gold medal.  As it is for every other goal in life, there are many vying to achieve the same goal – only some will get there.  If everyone could achieve a particular goal, why would anyone dream of achieving it in the first place?  It would just happen.

Life is like that -  not everyone achieves the goals they set or live their dreams.  Why?  Because, as in sports, there are a multitude of factors including unforeseen obstacles to derail your dreams, people who have better luck than you, people who intentionally or unintentionally knock you out of contention, or events which impact your ability to reach your objective.

Should we set goals?  We all do.  Whether we formalize them on paper or not, we all have dreams.  Some of us will achieve all of our dreams, others something else entirely and for the majority, some goals some of the time.  

Is it still a good idea to go through goal processes and exercises?  I think it is if only to clarify what you really want and set realistic expectations of what is and is not possible.  Perhaps the goal of settings goals should be:  setting realistic expectations based on our strenghts and on the factors which will help or hinder us from getting what we want.   

Can the impossible be achieved?  Of course but a multitude of factors have to come together at just the right time, in the right circumstances, with the right people and mesh like no other – is that a goal?  Of course not. We can only control what we can control – everything else is unpredictable.  Calculating the odds of attaining what we want is probably a better plan!  

The Olympics can teach us a great deal about goals, about our attitudes towards not achieving the ultimate goal and about what’s really important – to live the best life we can – it won’t be for many as we had imagined – it could be better – it could be worse – it is what it is!  

How will we live the best life we can with what is available to us?

Related posts:

1. Goal Setting – A Review – How Are You Doing?
2. Does Setting a Goal Get You the Result You Want?
3. How Do You Measure a Goal You’ve Never Seen?