Reflections

Goal setting is an exercise that we all have probably been through. And yes, hopefully it was very useful information. The real problem lies in the follow through and true commitment. I teach many programs that contain a goal setting segment - yet I never actually have people write their goals during the workshop or seminar.

Here are Rhonda's tips for getting ON THE RIGHT TRACK to effective goals for 2001.

Let me give you an example: my family is one of my five values. I have two boys, and a husband (sometimes that make three small boys right?). Because my relationship with them is VERY high on my list of values, it takes precedence over other values, such as finances. Now don't get me wrong - we need money (it's kind of like oxygen!). BUT, I do limit the number of weekends that I work. As a motivational speaker, many conferences are held on the weekend where I am often one of the featured speakers. That doesn't mean that I turn down all business on the weekend - I don't. I do schedule our family weekends in my calendar FIRST, and then I will work around those events. I never want to be on the platform delivering a motivational message when on the inside I'm wishing I wasn't there. This is what a conflict of values feels like.

Think about those five main values, and prioritize them. Write them down, then….

Knowing that your family is one of the most important things in your life, what do you need to feel that you have done a good job? If your career is one of your values, what do you want from your career? Get specific. If you want to be CEO then really think about it - and what you have to do to get there. Don't say you want to be CEO if you aren't willing to pay the price of that job either.

As you are thinking about what your goals are in each of these areas, think about how you will achieve them. You may need to break your goal into bite size pieces - otherwise it is too daunting to even start.

Another example for you: Family photo albums! My oldest is 9, my youngest is 7. That means that I have two years of pictures of Christopher in albums, but that's it! Poor Patrick has all his pictures still in boxes (sound familiar?). Family is one of my top values, so one of the steps of that value is to get the pictures in order. It would be completely unrealistic to think that I could take a Saturday and sit with all my pictures and put them into albums (especially because I'm into scrap-booking, and that takes a little more time!). I did write a family goal to get the Christmas pictures together. I get the kids to help me with this (they love scrap-booking!), and not only am I getting a small part of my goal achieved, I'm spending quality family time too!

Perhaps one of your values is your education. Well, don't keep thinking about signing up for night courses - tell yourself that you will sign up for one for the spring semester - and give it a deadline!

The last thing I would wish for anyone would be to reach the age of retirement and look back on your life and say, "If I could have done it differently, I would have!" I think we should spend our retirement saying "Good for you - you did what was important to you, and you should be proud!!"

Good Luck!