It is easy I think to get to points where you realize that the goals you had set, be them earlier that day, weeks ago, months, even years ago just have not come through at all or perhaps the way you wanted, the way you planned, even the way you needed.

At these points I find it can be easy to say well either having goals is pointless, my goals are tooo big, or even the idea that you are not good enough for those goals, that you are in some form a failure.

As I say that the first thing that comes to my mind are the phrases: "those who suceed the most have failed even more than that" "if at first you dont suceed, try try again"

Now those who have a higher sense of self-efficacy and those that have found, acknowledged, and embraced the successes that are in their lives can easily agree with those phrases even if they are not where they want or need to be yet.

What about the rest though, what about those who 'want' to have goals but have given up on making them, what about those who see certain goals or themselves in relation to certain goals as impossible, as guarunteed failure?

If you set yourself up for failure it is harder to have success but to get to where you can be more positive there needs to be some form of immediate return on the investment right?

Getting to that point where if there is not an immediate, accountable, and felt reward it is not going to work is a tough spot to be in... and then it gets to a looping process of constant 'didn't work' and yeah I tried, and didnt work, and it gets worse......

So.. what do you do?

I would say first to ask the following question - but depending on just where one is or what aspect of life they apply it to they need someone talking to them in person, on the phone, and truly working one on one with them....

1. Do you want to be more aware of your life and where you want to take it?
2. Do you believe that you deserve happiness and success in your life?
3. Are you willing to look at multiple aspects of your life and embrace the good things?
4. Are you willing to do what is going to believe, know, and do what will be asked of you?

Alright... so either we have those questions answered in a positive (though can be skeptic) way or we need to work one on one....

Next is the art of goal planning as I call it.

I have written many plans out - I sometimes really like doing it. Yes, I can say that I am not totally where I wanted or needed to be but that is ok, it is not a shot at my goals or me, just the way life happens. However, it does mean that as I step into goal planning I look for the following:

1. Some things that I can see/feel immediately each day.
2. Some things that is attainable in periods such as a week, month, 90days, a year, five years.
3. Some things that would require a bit of work and see some or full results daily, weekly, monthly, etc
4. Some things that are larger challenges that if I begin to get towards would give that sensation of accomplishment and belief/knowledge of possibility - again weekly, monthly, yearly
5. Some things that are deadline or number oriented - stuff that *must* get done at or by certain times so there is a sense of pressure
6. Some things that have general ideas of when/what will be completed so that there are things to be relaxed about

Wow, sounds like a lot of things need to be in this plan, that could be bad right?

Well, depending on the person having a lot is good and having a little is good.
Ideally if you work with me we will look at what area of life your at, where you believe/know/feel/want/need for things to be..

However, I would say at least initially there needs to be a 'large dream' that is open to possibilities at about 5 years and then some easily seen each day goals to get you going.

Goal planning is, when done in a way to increase actualization of goals, an ongoing process. It is also one that works best with both internal and external accountability - a factor for why those 6 areas are needed.

When you create, follow through, and review goals for daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, etc there is a great increase of self-efficacy, self-control, self-respect, and both mindfulness and mastery.

It is a discipline because if you only make immediatly possible/will happen goals then it is only pleasure and a fast-paced idea you live by. If you only make long term hard to accomplish goals you may find defeat and small pleasures will be few.

Goal planning is a discipline that as you work on it the power that becomes available is tremendous. When combined, as it is best and ought to be, with mindfulness activities, meditation, gratitude activities, and social support it opens that sense of trust, belief, and faith with knowledge that just about anything is possible!!

~Much love to all.
If you would like to work on goal planning let me know, also read through the blogs of the next couple weeks where we will focus on those aspects of goal planning and bring in more concepts.

~Namaste,
Debra J. Macking, LMT
813-486-0240
http://www.achievinglife.com>www.achievinglife.com