Focus on Those Goals

I have blogged extensively on goals and goal setting. We can set all the goals we want, but if we do not do something to achieve them, they become worthless. One of the main ways of attaining goals is to focus on their outcome. By focusing, we can see where we want to go and what we need to do to get there. Here are some tips on achieving focus:

· Minimize external distractions as much as possible
· Turn off negative thoughts—recite positive, motivational affirmations
· Find successful role models and imitate them
· Commit, commit, commit—do whatever it takes to reach a goal
· Schedule time to work on your goals—discipline yourself
· Keep up the forward momentum
· Take risks
· Face challenges and setbacks head-on
· Change your approach if it doesn’t work
· Visualize success
· Create a poster board of what your success will look like 

What can you do today to focus on your goals?

Where Does the Time Go?

With fall coming, it's a good time to take stock of where our time goes and how we can make the most of it. Soon we will be facing another holiday season and all the time crunches that come with it.

Take stock of your activities to be sure you are spending sufficient time in all the important areas of your life--work, family, spiritual, and extracurricular activities

• Establish priorities and eliminate things that do not add value to your life
• Meditate
• Exercise
• Devote time to your hobby or favorite activity
• Start a gratitude journal and write in it every day
• Read a few good books
• Listen to uplifting music
• Take it one day at a time

Do yourself a favor and take time to enjoy life.

Where do you spend your precious time?

It's Goal Setting Time Again

Yesterday started a new year, which means many people will be looking to make a fresh start. If you plan to set 2016 goals for yourself, there are a few steps you can take to ensure success. Start by making sure your goals are attainable, measurable, and specific to you. 

·         Create your goals. What are your hopes and dreams for the new year? Goals must be something you really want and are able to attain or you are setting yourself up for defeat. State the goals in specific terms. Write down the goals. People who write goals are more likely to achieve them.

·         Break the goals down into specific steps. Large, time-consuming tasks are daunting. It’s easier to work on goals when you can take them a step at a time.

·         Create an action plan so you know where you must focus your energy to attain the goals. Take the steps you’ve listed for attaining your goals and develop an action plan for completing each of them. What is the first thing you will do? What comes next? Take your personal strengths and preferences into consideration.

·         Create a timetable for reaching the goals. By creating a timeline and setting a deadline, you will be able to determine if you are on target to reach the goals.

·         Create a daily to-do-list and copy the steps from your action plan onto it. Prioritize and work your way through the list.

·         Determine how you will hold yourself accountable for reaching the goals. Who will you tell about the goals? How will you motivate yourself? What will you do if you fall short? Don’t let setbacks keep you from achieving your goals.

·         Be positive and flexible.

·         Assess how you are doing periodically regarding the achievement of the goals.

·         Change what is not working. 

It’s a fact that people who set goals achieve more. Why not give yourself all the breaks you can get in 2016? With set goals and enough of the right action, you can achieve your dreams.

Spring Cleaning for Career Success

Spring is the ideal time to clear out the old and give everything a good cleaning. Take the time to unclutter your office and your desk. We all work better in a pleasant environment.

·         Purge old hard copy files

·         Throw away outdated notes and useless materials

·         Take everything out of desk drawers and wipe them out

·         Organize desk drawers

·         Discard old pens, markers, rubber bands, and other worn out supplies

·         Clear your calendar

·         Delete old, worthless emails

·         Throw out old business cards and magazines

·         Clean up old files on your computer

·         Clear everything from your desk that you don’t need that hinders your work habits

·         Rearrange your work area in the best way for you to complete your tasks

·         Give the surface of your desk a good cleaning; wipe down the phone, computer, lamp, and desk accessories.

In addition to clearing clutter from your desk, clear the clutter from your mind by using a to-do list, a tickler file (for dated material), a pending file, a calendar, and an easy method for you to remember all the hundreds of things you need to do.

Spring Has Sprung--Spruce Up Your Career

Winter is ending. I can honestly say I am happy to see spring coming. Many people get the urge at this time of year to do spring cleaning and clear out the old clutter. Now might be a good time to do some professional spring cleaning, too, and get your career in shape for spring.

Consider the following tips to spruce up your career:

• Sit down with your supervisor and discuss ways you can become more of an asset to your company.
• Ask for feedback on your performance; do not take criticism personally, but rather use it to grow professionally.
• Think about ways you can positively set yourself apart from coworkers by performing your tasks more efficiently and offering positive solutions to problems.
• Update your skills.
• Look for ways you can add value to your company by saving money or time or by increasing profits or productivity.
• Keep up with industry news and developments in your field.
• Take a class or attend a seminar.
• Find ways to get along with everyone in the office, including those hard-to-deal-with coworkers.

A little spring cleaning can go a long way to improving your career.

Choose a Mentor Who Will Help You Succeed in Your Career

If possible, find a mentor who is willing to teach you what you need to know and do in order to attain your goal(s). This mentor should be someone who has the character traits you admire and who is in a position you aspire to hold or is doing what you hope to do. He or she should give you straightforward information and honest, positive critiques. You don’t want someone who says, “Yes, you are wonderful,” without providing proper guidance and criticism that will mold you into the person you hope to be.

How do you find a mentor? 

• Network, network, network. You have to put yourself out there and ask for help. Most people are willing to help others
• Join groups and seek successful members.
• Observe others in the workplace. Who would be the best person from which to learn?
•  Take a class, get a tutor, or hire a coach.

Your mentor should be an expert in the area in which you want to learn. In addition, he/she should be able to teach; that is, get information across in an easy-to-understand way. Some people are experts in their fields, but they cannot convey information to others clearly.

Modeling successful people who have achieved what you want provides a readymade road map to reach your goals.

Take Time to Enjoy

Take time this Easter to enjoy family and friends and to renew yourself spiritually. Living a balanced personal and professional life is crucial to your successful well being. Too much attention to your professional life to the exclusion of your personal life will cause you to miss out on important "self" time. Too much attention to your personal life and not enough attention to your professional life will stagnate your career. Develop a routine that fits your lifestyle and make corrections when your life is out of balance.

• Take time to maintain a healthy physical and mental balance.


• Practice good time management and stress management techniques.


• Get organized and stay that way.


• Maintain a positive attitude.

When you think of balance, consider all areas of your life, including family, work, health, wealth, spiritual, hobbies, and everything else that fits together to make up your life plan. Balance in all areas of your life is the key to a contented life.

Are You Meeting Your Goals?

Today is a rather rainy spring day. It seems like a good time to stay inside and revisit your goals. Think about the following questions:

• How are you coming with your personal and professional goals?


• Have you made the progress you intended to make when you set them?


• Is there anything else you can do to move yourself closer to your goals?


• Can you revise or rewrite your steps for attaining your goals?


• Are there goals on your list that you should remove or revise?


• If you have met most of your goals, can you think of new ones to set?

Taking time to assess goals and, if needed, revise and rewrite them will keep you motivated and on track to personal and professional success.

Turn Your Ideas Into Career Success

If one of your goals is to have a successful career, take steps to assure your success by positively contributing to your company. Become an idea person.

• Don't sit back and wait for other people to come up with ideas. Contribute some of your own. Make suggestions for saving the company time and money.
• Become more proficient at your tasks. Increase your skills.
• Whenever you encounter a problem, brainstorm to come up with solutions.
• Listen to coworkers' ideas.
• Share ideas and tips with your supervisor, coworkers, and clients.
• Become a contributing member of the team.

Because there are a number of variables that affect the implementation of ideas, do not become discouraged if your ideas or suggestions are not accepted. Keep those ideas coming.

Add Learning Something New to Your Goals

It is important to stimulate your mind by learning new things. You can learn in formal and informal situations. The idea is to continue to stretch and grow professionally and personally. Try these ideas:

• In meetings concentrate on information related to your position and duties. Think of ways to apply the information to what you do. Ask questions and contribute ideas.
• Be open-minded when others propose ideas, even if the ideas do not pertain to what you do. You never know when a variation of the idea can help you do your job better.
• Listen to coworkers who have more experience that you do. Ask appropriate questions.
• Attend professional conventions, meetings, and conferences.
• Research your industry online to keep up to date with the latest developments.
• Read newspapers and newsletters. Keep up with the news.
• Learn as much as you can about your company and its products and services.

To optimize career success and grow and develop professionally, continuously learn as much as you can.