Article #639

Author: Marco Auciello

Action goals are also activated by writing them down. The written goal serves us in several ways. It is expressed or externalized into the world—it is born into the world! Also, it becomes a constant reminder that we can read from time to time to help us move along toward realizing it.

The written goal becomes a reminder to your inner mind telling it where to put your deep mind’s attention, energy and efforts. It is important, however, that your action goal statement be clear and concise in order to mobilise your inner mind. If you cannot state your action goal in 15 words or less, then chances are it is not yet defined well enough. For example, I will be a millionaire by the time I’m 30 fits our criteria. It’s short and sweet. We know exactly what we’re talking about. On the other hand, saying some point before I’m middle-aged or retired, I’m going to be a very wealthy millionaire say, running an international corporation of some sort doing something, then you’re running into trouble.

Can you hear how the second goal statement faded into a vague statement? Bringing it down to its essence will get you excited about it. It will become a statement of what you want and can achieve.

Action goals become more powerful when we create an action plan. An action plan breaks your goal down into a series of manageable steps or sub-goals. These smaller goals can be achieved quickly and easily as they move you toward your larger goal. Our example of posting a letter well illustrates this concept. Remember how my mind had to break that task into a series of little sub-tasks? For example, I had to:

Find an envelope

write the address on the envelope

take the letter, my keys and money

get in the car

drive to the post office

buy a stamp

lick the stamp

put the stamp on the envelope

turn around

find a post box

drop it inside

Each one of those items is a step in my action plan towards my ultimate goal of posting the letter and in fact, even more sub-task could have been listed—such as get up from my table, walk to another room, look for my keys, look on the bureau, look in my jacket pocket…Each is a simple sub-task that is a vital link in a series that lead me to completion of my goal. Of course, such mindful tedium might drive you and your inner mind wild! The glorious thing is that we can mindfully skip over many of these sub-tasks because they unfold so naturally. For example, if I am going out to drive, getting my car keys is typically not something I have to be reminded of or motivated to do by coaching techniques! The same process is true when I’m going for my dream career. Here is a sample of sub-tasks in a larger goal of getting your dream job with an electronics company:

I research companies in the locale I want to work.

I figure out the recruitment process for each company I want to contact.

I write them a letter and attach a CV, a kind of bio of me and my past, and send them as they prefer.

I get in touch with them to make sure they’ve received it.

I might have to jump through some hoops (or more sub-tasks) such as prepare for the interview, go to an interview, answer questions at the interview and come back for a second round.

If I get an offer, I may want to come back with a counteroffer and say hey, I want more money, more free time or whatever it is.

Each one of these things is a step or sub-task in the action plan that gets you your ideal career. Action goals are perfect for this.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/goal-setting-articles/write-goals-down-action-planning-6893187.html

About the Author

Marco can help you assign goalsetting with the right kind of focus in order to achieve them. He has helped many clients to quit smoking, lose weight, or eliminating life stresses through the use of cognitive coaching and hypnotherapy. Click on the links to find out how he does it or visit his website here: http://www.melbournecognitivehypnotherapy.com.au/mch-weight-loss-hypnosis/