7 Steps To Turn Goal Setting Into Goal Getting

Just like there's a recipe for chocolate cake, there's a recipe for goal setting. But if you've tried more than one baker's cake you know that not all recipes are the same.

The ingredients, both quality and amount, will affect the final result. The order and method of combining the ingredients also makes a difference. Utensils, time, temperature and technique add even more variables.

The recipe you choose will determine the quality of the cake you end up with. What are your standards? Do you want passable, good or irresistibly delicious?

Here's my favorite recipe! I hope it satisfies your appetite for success.

Step 1: Get Inspired

Often people set safe targets to hit - things they're pretty sure that with a little extra effort they can accomplish. The truth is if our goals don't make us a little or a lot nervous they're not big enough! Lying to ourselves about what we really want because we're afraid we can't have what we want only leaves us jealous and discontent even after we get what it is we said we wanted.

As Stephen Covey encourages, let's begin with the end in mind. Answer these questions before moving to Step 2.

- What kind of life, lifestyle, or life conditions do you desire?
- Where do you want to live?
- What do you want your work/career to create for you?
- What inspires you?
- What would your ideal day look like?
- How, where and with whom would you spend it?
- What contributions do you want to make to this world?
- What kind of resources do you want at your disposal?
- If there were no limits, restrictions or obstacles, what would you dare to aspire to be, do or have?

Step 2: Expose Your Buts

Write down all the reasons why you cannot achieve these goals. List every single possible obstacle that could get in the way of you having your dreams.

Keep asking, "Why can't I have it?" or "Why don't I have it?" until you run out of answers. Be sure to include all the ludicrous, inane ones too. (Your buts are the contaminants of your old recipe - they must go!)

Step 3: Bust Your Buts

Where did these buts really come from? Whose voice do you hear when they run through your head? Is it your voice, a parent or teachers, that of a coach or neighbor, maybe a loved one or friend?

These beliefs don't have to be yours, unless they truly serve you. Challenge the beliefs that DON'T serve. What contrary evidence have you ever seen, heard or felt that demonstrates their falsehood?

Identify any person whose achievements are a complete contradiction to your list of buts. List any observation or experience that shows the ridiculousness, absurdity, or untruth of your old buts.

Step 4: Whys Up

No goal is impossible when the WHY behind it is strong enough. Answer these questions:

- Why do I really want this?
- How will it make me feel to achieve it?
- What benefits will it bring to the people I care about?
- Who will I become in the process of reaching this goal?
- Who can I help?
- What will I be able to do for myself, my family and loved ones, my company, community and/or humanity?

What childhood wishes did you want to make come true, for people, animals, the environment or any great cause that could use your help? What legacy would you like to leave? 50 years from now what do you want said about you and the life you lead?

Step 5: Simulate to Stimulate

Fighter pilots, astronauts and racecar drivers use simulators to train for tasks that require precision and exacting procedure. Through a simulator they can get as close to the actual experience without actually doing what they're being conditioned for.

We can do something similar to prepare for and pre-live the experience of our own goals. We do this by engaging the mind and the body. Here are some ideas.

Create a vision board or screen saver with pictures that represent your ultimate lifestyle and the goals you will achieve to get there. Create a phrase that expresses your goal already achieved and say it over and over again throughout the day.

Write your affirmation/phrases 10+ times per day engaging brain and muscle while you do. Say them while you jump, move around, dance, sing, shout, run or do anything that gets you actively associated to these words and the vision attached to them. This helps move your goal from an intellectual concept, to an emotional experience and ultimately a physical knowing.

Step 6: Chunk It to Slam Dunk It!

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!

When a goal seems too big or daunting it's time to break it down or chunk it into bite size pieces. For added zest, celebrate after each bite is chewed and swallowed.

Consistent, manageable effort will get you to any goal. This is how you chunk down your goal so you can eat it one bite at a time.

When you get caught up in the mountain of little details that must be handled in order to reach your goal you do a reverse process. You chunk up.

Step 7: Up Your Attitude to Gratitude

Keep a gratitude journal. List at least seven things you are grateful for today.

Being grateful for what we have always seems to put us in a more positive, resourceful frame of mind. The more we notice and appreciate the little conveniences we take for granted the more we stay in this powerful state.

An attitude of gratitude literally accelerates the manifestation of our desires. Our energy is aligned with what we want and it is therefore attracted to us.

Don't be surprised when your gratitude attitude uplifts the people around you too.