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Goal Setting – How Do You Set Proper Financial Goals?

How to Set Sound Financial Goals So You Can Realistically Achieve Them

Do you have a dream, like wanting to buy a house, sending your children to college, and having a comfortable life after you retire? Maybe you want to have $10,000 in your savings account, and no debt.

Or, maybe you want the big dream to be an independently wealthy individual and actually become a multi millionaire. Sounds like the typical American dream, right? Is it really just an idea in your head, or is it possible to make it a reality?

Financial dreams have been responsible for building many a large corporation from small beginnings. Yes, it is possible for most people if they set realistic financial goals. So how do you set realistic financial goals?

Well, one way is to set a SMART goal for the amount of financial wealth you seek. In Goal Setting, SMART is an acronym that stands for:

S – Specific

You must set goals that support your dreams and are very specific. If you make goals, you don’t say “I’m going to send my son to a good college”, instead say “I’m going to save $$$$ (research the exact amount) so I can send my son to Harvard University”. Never forget to always make straight forward goals if you want them achieved.

M – Measurable

When you make goals, make them measurable so that you can better monitor your progress. it must contain a particular amount or quantity. Make goals like “I am going to increase my household income by $175 this month”.

Making measurable goals will set your mind to achieve that specific amount; and, as an effect make your goal easier to achieve. You create the plan and take the actions it will take to succeed and earn an extra $175 this month. This would be an example of a short term goal.

A – Attainable

What separates dreams from goals is that you set the goals that are attainable. Not every person is starting out at the same place or opportunity.

You make goals that you can achieve like “I can work 20 hours extra this month to make my extra $175.00”. Or, I can sell so I am starting a business today that will earn me $175.00 profit this month.

Don’t make goals that are almost impossible to attain; you’ll just get discouraged. Small goals seem insignificant sometimes; but they can show great results over time. Remember it is the journey and the pursuit that is important, and they can bring great joy into our lives.

R – Realistic

So, you must aim a little high, but not so high that you don’t believe you can achieve it. Make it a bit of a stretch. Most goals are never achieved because they are too much to handle resulting in failure. Or, they are set too low, sometimes resulting in a lack of motivation.

First of all, setting realistic goals means evaluating your own personal situation, and then set yourself up to make proper advances according to your own situation. No one else can properly set your goals for you. Don’t worry what others may think, this is your dream, not theirs.

You can start out by setting easy goals and slowly increase them, like “I’m going to earn an extra $5.00 every day for one week and then double it to earning $10.00 extra every day next week”. You might take the change out of your pocket every night and put it into the kitty.

This way, you would be able to easily adjust to the changes you make and achieve your goal. Small consistent changes that are realistic and positive bring about results that will motivate you to increase your efforts.

T – Time-bound

Set a time deadline for your goal to be achieved. Goals are sometimes not attained because the time you need to achieve it is not set or set properly.

You might set a goal like “Within a month, I will double my present salary.” For some this may be realistic but for some maybe not so much.

You may not be able to get it going this soon. Time constraint will allow you to measure what it will take each day to achieve your goal and determine how much effort you will have to exert to achieve your goal.

Set out how much you can effectively earn extra each day and multiply that over 30 days to find out what your new goal should be. Adding a bit extra over and above your initial figuring may give you extra incentive to really go for it.

That’s SMART Goal Setting in a nut shell.

Another factor you may need to consider on attaining your financial goal is discipline. Each goal that you create will require you to sacrifice certain things, such as time, budget, social life, and many more.

Here is where picking the right goal comes in. You must pick the right goal that will create the desire and give you the discipline to do what is necessary for you to achieve your goal.

Your goals are more likely to be achieved when they are positive and are what you truly want to do. Motivation is the key factor that keeps you going to attain your goal, instead of quitting after running into a few challenges.

If you combine all these factors in creating your first financial goal, then, soon enough, your dreams would become a reality. Small goals will lead you into larger goals and soon you will have your life dream of being independently wealthy.

So, what are you waiting for? Go for it!

Think And Act Positive After A Goals Failure

By Al Smith | No Comments

On our goals journey, we will definitely run into problems and challenges along the way, this is all part of trying to achieve something great.

Some of these might be rather large obstacles and you have to know how to deal with them when they arise. Failure is one such obstacle or challenge that can stop us temporarily.

Failing to achieve our goals could wrap us up in such a bundle of negative thoughts that some of us will quit trying.

So, how do you get started on your big goals again after suffering a massive debilitating failure that has completely immobilized you?

Pretty descriptive don’t you think? It is really never this bad. We just think it is, and our minds are powerful. By the way we have all been there at some time.

First thing, you will have to grieve the loss of your time, efforts and possibly finances as some of these might be lost to you at the present moment. (Bear with me here.)

Whatever you have been told, as humans we need to feel our way through these emotions, we need to process the failure or the loss.

Sometimes all work on our goals will stop temporarily when we are presented with a mountain of negative emotions. We become confused and start over thinking the situation.

It is just a failure. Don’t make it any more than that. Avoid wallowing in it though, or having a pity party. We cannot change what is past, we can only adjust for the present and future.

Just process it, think it through, analyze what happened as soon as you get your emotions under control again. You should finish processing this as soon as you can, but do take the processing time you personally need.

Don’t get caught up in something you cannot change, and we cannot change what’s past.

When you are past the grieving stage, start to get your mind wrapped around your dream and your future life again. Revisit your goals, your mission, your dream.

Feel what it would be like to have all of that in your life. Your mind can only hold one thought at a time so hold on to these positive thoughts.

Get back up and dust yourself off. Shake off the past by re-focusing on one small action you can take right away.

Start the planned action right away, as soon as you make the decision. Draw deep on your supreme will power if you have to, but complete the task immediately.

If you have to, set new smaller goals that take you in the same direction. Set them for that day alone. Or, if this is even too much, set them for that hour only. Set yourself up for success by building small momentum first. This helps get you back on track.

With previous massive failure, your subconscious could be programmed to fail now, and you might have difficulty pursuing long term goals particularly so soon after.

If this is the case, you need to succeed at small tasks and goals, then celebrate each new success with all the spirit you can muster. You need to re-anchor strong positive thought and emotions to your new smaller successes.

This will soon reinforce in your subconscious mind that you CAN meet your goals, and set you back on the positive path again. When you’re able to consistently meet your hourly/daily goals, then start setting them for two days or a week, and then work yourself slowly up to your long term goals.

With your confidence rapidly building again, you will soon be creating massive momentum towards what you want.

At any given time, in our quest for a better life, we might get stopped temporarily by a great disappointment, it is truly our own fault if we allow it to stop us completely. Quitting on ourselves is the only permanent failure.

Sometimes we have to start small to win big!

See you next time. As always, Go For It!

How Do You Start Your Day?

By Al Smith | 3 Comments

I read the article below a few years ago, and just came across it again today. It reminded me of how we should be try to be present in every moment and live life consciously, instead of spending our days rushing mindlessly through our very tightly packed schedules.

It was nice to see that this information was as much an ‘AHA’ moment today as it was those years ago. Even I run off track some of the time.

As much as I enjoy most everything I do, there are times when I get to the end of the day and wonder, “Did I extract all of the life and joy from this day or did I just move through it?”

How did you start your day today and perhaps more importantly, how will you start it tomorrow? Here’s Mark’s article:

Start Your Day On Your Terms by Mark Susnow

Most of us start the day like we’re trying to catch a train. We wake up, grab a cup of coffee, look at the paper and listen to the news. We rush out of the house to make an appointment or deadline or to put the finishing touches on a project.

From deadline to appointment it goes. When we leave work we have other responsibilities and obligations, and it doesn’t end until we go to sleep, and for some it still doesn’t end. We never do catch the train.

We forgot one essential thing. We are the conductor and the train can’t go anywhere without us.

What if you knew deep inside that the train was not going anywhere? What would it take to develop the wisdom that there was a better way? What changes could you implement that would make a difference?

I was a busy trial lawyer for thirty years, always running to catch the train. I still remember racing to the court room full of coffee and stress until I realized I was the conductor of my life.

That realization allowed me to make life altering changes that continue to make my life more enjoyable, more successful and more fulfilling.

It all starts with creating your perfect morning. This is your morning, no one else’s. Consider waking up to music you love, rather than to the music or news on your alarm clock. Then before doing anything else take 10-15 minutes and sit silently thinking about all you’re grateful for.

Then start to wonder what the highlight of your day could be. From this new vantage point you might even skip that cup of coffee or that cigarette.

As you leave your house and begin the flow of your day you look at each experience and wonder if this is going to be the highpoint of your day knowing there is more to come.

The concept of looking at the highlight of the day can be used in any situation even one that seems unpleasant.

Looking for the highlight in this experience or this person can totally change your attitude. As the day unfolds, if you sense that things inside are heating up, consider taking a little break.

You might even stretch for five minutes or walk around the block. As your day progresses the biggest difference is the knowledge that you can be busy and be relaxed.

I have found that starting the day this way increases my energy and efficiency throughout the day. When I leave my house centered and focused there is a much greater likelihood that I can maintain this balance throughout the day.

There has been plenty of research by psychologists demonstrating the value of taking the time for morning meditation or creative silence.

I have been doing this for over thirty years and very rarely feel overwhelmed. I laugh more and generally enjoy my day.

Of course I have my challenges and lose my focus periodically, but not for long. And before I go to sleep I again think about what was most special about this day.

The one thing I do know for certain is that there’s a direct correlation between how I start my day and the quality of my life. Try a little experiment. For the next thirty days start your day on your own terms and discover the dramatic changes that are possible.

Mark Susnow has a unique background. Formerly a successful trial attorney for 30 years, as well as musician, he integrates what it takes to be truly prosperous in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation practice.

As a personal coach, leadership consultant and inspirational speaker, Mark provides inspiration and motivation to many business leaders and professionals. He knows what it means to have a big vision and has demonstrated the courage and energy it takes to accomplish it.

Consider contacting Mark and be sure to visit his website: Inspire Possibility

Stop Reading, Start Your Business . . .

By Al Smith | 5 Comments

Most new business ideas do not get beyond the thought stage. All of a sudden, the fear of failure looms large and ideas are quickly forgotten.

Too often people will look for advice on the Net and then find all the potential problems that can plague them. There is so much information available, you will always find what you are looking for.

Look for successful solutions, you will find them. Look for reasons something can fail, and you will find them.

In fact, it is very rare that you do not get what you are looking for on the Internet, especially when you make the effort to look seriously.

But there is no better time. Start your new business now. Set your goals and nail them one at a time.

An Affiliate Marketing business can be a profitable enterprise to start with. Many people start out marketing other people’s products, test the waters online and develop and specialize from there.

For all those who are seeking insights on starting an affiliate marketing business, this type of business requires very little investmant and can be quite profitable when executed correctly.

When you do a search for affiliate marketing strategies, you will find information, advice, tips, and ideas at the click of a button – most of it excellent material waiting to be read and absorbed.

That is fine, as long as you find what you want, and then start applying that same knowledge right away. Very often people get caught up with just reading this information, building their base knowledge and they forget the action part.

As one saying so correctly emphasizes, ‘The longest journey begins with one step’ – and you will need to make that one step to have the affiliate marketing start working for you. Set your goals, plan out your mission, then step out boldly and go get them. Adjust on the fly.

If you wait until you gather sufficient information before you do so, let me assure you that you will probably never start. Many people are stopped right here. There are too many exceptional things to read out there and you will find it difficult to say ‘stop – enough of reading; let me start some action’.

It is good, no, it is great, to read and collect all the relevant information you need, but make no mistake, you cannot afford to wait until you feel you know it all because such a time may never come. Your best opportunities can pass you by while you are wondering about should you start now. Just start.

Thorough gathering of intelligence is always a good idea, then take the plunge and side-by-side learn the how-to-dos and the rest of the stuff that will optimize your efforts into the best possible results.

Most successful people will, when asked on their secret to success, reply with a very consistent answer, i.e. their success is not through a conscious thought about a thing, rather they just do what they think they should do and the rest just happens – success included, fame included, etc.

More or less, they just put one foot in front of the other.

They take action.

This is why the best advice you would ever get would be to start your affiliate marketing business today and adjust your actions accordingly. Remember you can’t steer a parked car . . . you have to be moving.

Yes, do your proper planning. Yes, having a business plan is important. But do not get caught up in perfection. Usually, even the best made plans can change midstream, but it is the planning process that is important, not in the perfecting of it.

If you want to be highly successful in life – do not be too concerned about details and overall picture. And certainly, do not get caught up in what others might think. Just get into a one-step-at-a-time habit and plunge ahead. One small task after another. Persist and never give up.

You will never feel how it is to swim in deep waters if you never venture in deep water. However descriptive any book is about being in deep water, there is still only one way to find out – by diving into the water and testing it for yourself.

Similarly, if you don’t know what affiliate marketing is, how it works and how to grow your business to profitability – then start today to find out. That is your first action. Whenever you are stuck – seek help and then move ahead again.

Once you have started, and you have moved ahead, you can keep abreast with the latest developments in the market as you proceed to grow your business to profitability.

But . . . it all starts with your decision to commit.

Successful Entrepreneurship Always Begins In The Mind

By Al Smith | No Comments

It’s a pretty safe bet to say that many of us would love to be a successful entrepreneur. The trick is getting started on this path to financial security. Key thought – start somewhere, start anywhere, just don’t wait on it to come to you.

So many of us don’t even have a clue what we wish to do in life. This is clearly an obstacle in the road for some.

However, you can research and slowly figure this one out. You know, take in some knowledge, attend a few job fairs, and maybe even do some job shadowing. Spend some time setting goals and evaluating what would make you happy.

You have to begin at some point.

It’s true; I wanted to become a successful entrepreneur by the age of 30. Unfortunately it didn’t happen that way. I kept myself so busy thinking about getting rich and retiring that I must have missed the real opportunity. LOL!

I wish someone would have come out and told me that I had to be aggressive, motivated, and driven. How was I supposed to know! I was merely a kid at the time. In order to do it one must have strong, motivating reasons for doing what’s necessary.

Anyway, these are crucial characteristics to adopt if you plan to become a successful entrepreneur. You basically have to know what goals you want, and then go get them.

Don’t give up at the first sign of trouble. Persistence is key. It could be a mere test to see if you’re worthy. Proceed on and capture your dream. That’s the way all success stories happen.

Some people just seem to effortlessly achieve everything they want. For the majority of us, a good amount of work and dedication is involved to reach the pinnacle of success. Fortunately you can get tips and pointers from the masters. Model those people who have travelled the road before you. They have real wisdom, they know just what it will take.

So if you’re itching to be a successful entrepreneur in the near future, then I suggest you do the necessary recon work first. Hop on your PC or Mac and see what’s up.

You could purchase books on how to become a successful entrepreneur. Take advantage of books, they are wonderful resources.

So maybe you’re not quite a successful entrepreneur yet. You haven’t arrived yet. Don’t fret over this minor issue. It’s time to get your butt in gear, get serious and take action.

Brainstorm and decide what the things are that you feel passionate about in life. What are you great at? How can you make money with these things? What value can you add that people will be willing to pay for?

It’s all there for you if you just think, and go after it. Technology has opened many opportunities for small operators to match wits with the biggest companies out there. With the Internet on your side and the world at your fingertips, you too can become a successful entrepreneur.

Just decide to . . .

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