“All successful men and women are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose.” ~ Brian Tracy
As a follow up to my last post, entitled “The Importance of Goal Setting”, this Brian Tracy article will discuss How To Identify Your Goals.
Since your goals are an important ingredient to your overall success, it is imperative that you review your goals every day and this must become part of your daily routine. Each morning when you wake up, review your list of goals that are written down. Visualize the completed goal and this exercise will start both your subconscious and conscious mind on working towards the goal. This will also begin to replace any of the negative thoughts you may have and can be reinforced with positive self-talk.
Every time you make a decision during the day, ask yourself the following question, “Does it take me closer to, or further from my goal.” If the answer is “closer to,” then you’ve made the right decision.
How to Identify Your Goals
By Brian Tracy
Question Number One:
What are your five most important values in life?
This question is intended to help you clarify what is really important to you, and by extension, what is less important, or unimportant. Once you have identified the five most important values in life for you, organize them in order of priority, from number one, the most important, through number five.
Question Number Two:
What are your three most important goals in life, right now?
This is called the “quick list” method. When you only have thirty seconds to write down your three most important goals, your subconscious mind sorts out your many goals quickly. Your top three will just pop into your conscious mind. With only thirty seconds, you will be as accurate as if you had thirty minutes.
Question Number Three:
What would you do, how would you spend your time, if you learned today that you only had six months to live?
This is another value questions to help you clarify what is really important to you. When your time is limited, even if only in your imagination, you become aware of who and what you really care about.
Question Number Four:
What would you do if you won a million dollars cash, tax free, in the lottery tomorrow?
How would you change your life? What would you buy? What would you start doing, or stop doing? This is really a question to help you decide what you’d do if you had all the time and money you need, and if you had virtually no fear of failure at all.
Question Number Five:
What have you always wanted to do, but been afraid to attempt?
This question helps you see more clearly where your fears could be blocking you from doing what you really want to do.
Question Number Six:
What do you most enjoy doing? What gives you your greatest feeling of self-esteem and personal satisfaction?
This is another values question that may indicate where you should explore to find your “heart’s desire.” You will always be most happy doing what you most love to do, and what you most love to do is invariably the activity that makes you feel the most alive and fulfilled. The most successful men and women in America are invariably doing what they really enjoy, most of the time.
Question Number Seven:
What one great thing would you dare to dream if you knew you would not fail?
Imagine that a genie appears and grants you one wish. The genie guarantees that you will be absolutely, completely successful in any one thing that you attempt to do, big or small, short or long-term. If you were absolutely guaranteed success in any one thing, what one exciting goal would you set for yourself?
Action Exercise
Study the pad of paper that you used to answer these questions. This paper represents your future goals. Look at what you wrote every day and shape your life the way you see it on that paper.
Now, an important question..If you could only accomplish one of your many goals, what would it be?
This is the question success expert Brian Tracy asks in this video.
Watch as he describes exactly what you need to do in order to achieve this goal and find greater success in life.
What do you think of Brian’s suggestions?
What is your biggest goal?
What are you actively doing in order to achieve it?
After watching the video be sure to share your comments below, and feel free to pass this video on to friends and family.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iDbs3vh6KM[/youtube]
I hope you got some great value out of this post today! Please leave me a comment down below and let me know what you liked the most.
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To your success,
Marc@mlmsuccessmentoring.com
Network Marketing Coach
Continuous Learning Advocate
Skype: healthysuccess
(973) 879-1627
Click To Check Out “The Ultimate Goals Program Plus Bonuses“
About Marc Korn
Marc Korn is an advocate of continuous learning. Success online and in the offline world is all about training and learning from the experts.... throughout history the common denominator among successful people has been continuing education.Marc is passionate about Network Marketing and helping others.He has learned that Network Marketing is not about recruit, recruit, recruit or sell, sell, sell...but about people.The most gratifying way to achieve success is to help others become successful first.Marc enjoys introducing people to systems and opportunities that will help them to earn additional income working from home.There is no reason why you need to learn it all by yourself. Join Marc and his Tribe mates to see how they can help you.
Hi Marc , I can see that these tips you have shared are very useful specially when you want to achieve you goals in life. aside from this , it must be followed because once you have mastered this goals you will end up happy and has no problem for the future.
In question number 5 “What have you always wanted to do, but been afraid to attempt?”, once I identify all the things that are hindering me from achieving my goals, what should I do next? I would like to know the things I must do in order to prevent those things from blocking my way in achieving my goals in life.
A long time ago, I realized that the answer to question 3 was the most important discussion I should have about my life. From then on, I understood that I could indeed make the most of my life if I only had 6 months to live, how much of difference could I make if there was no emergency or immediate finality on the number of days I have left on my own life’s abacus.
Excellent article!
Keep the Smiles
Stevie
HI Marc, question number 3 reminds me of the movie “Bucket List”, those two men certainly had a wild time in their last 6 months!
Each of these questions certainly do help with setting goals. Number 2 is a great exercise because there’s no need to think for a long time about what your goals are. They should come to you in an instant. I know they did for me as soon as I read the question.
Have a great weekend! Regards from Julieanne
Another Great Post, Marc… and awesome video. I just love Brian Tracy and the profound knowledge he shares. The operative words here… “taking action” – identifying the goals, writing them down, viewing them first thing every day, creating the list of actions that get us closer to achieving our goals – all vital to our success. Then we have the satisfaction of being able to look back a month or year from now and be astounded at what we have achieved. That is so great! Thanks for sharing another remarkable post with us! I’m taking the advice seriously and heading off to re-write my list of goals!
Hi Loren,
Thanks so much for dropping by and leaving your comment…it is greatly appreciated.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the post. When it comes to goal setting, you won’t find anyone more talented than Brian Tracy.
Many people actually take many of the needed steps and will even write their goals, make a list and create a plan, but if you don’t take CONSISTENT daily action, you just won’t find the success that we all deserve.
I look forward to your next visit,
Marc
Hi Marc,
Love your post, as I recently cracked open Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy. Goals were not a high priority on my list in the past, but now it seems we need a list for everything! And those lists are going to ultimately help me achieve my true goals. The challenge for me is clarifying my goals, zeroing in on what it is exactly that I want and making another list to get there! 🙂
Gotta go make another list……
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
Thanks so much for dropping by and leaving your comment…it is greatly appreciated.
I’m happy that you found the post helpful…”Eat That Frog is a great book and paints a vivid picture about getting that undesirable task out of the way and the dangers of procrastination.
Yes, goal setting techniques are essential for even the small tasks if we are going to achieve success and feel encouraged.
The biggest challenge is being clear and knowing exactly what you want, but if you can accomplish that, you are way ahead of the game.
By writing down your goals, making a list and developing a plan and taking ACTION on a daily basis, you will continue to move closer to achieving your goals and dreams each and every day.
To your continued list making,
Marc
Marc,
Your quality content keeps me coming back to your blog. Keep up the good work my friend.
While reading your post and watching the video I realized I accomplished my #1 goal set in this manner about a year ago, to become active in changing the lives of seizure patients, caregivers, and professionals worldwide. Now this goal has taken on some “muscle” as it has grown. My #1 short term goal is for the company I founded in November 2010(National Seizure Disorders Foundation) to be blessed with a non-profit status by November 2011.
Feel blessed in every moment –
Terrific Tonya Heathco
National Seizure Disorders Foundation
Hi Tonya,
Thanks so much for dropping by and leaving your comment…it is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the support and the great comment about my content. I hope you will continue to visit.
How wonderful that you accomplished your #1 goal and what an extraordinary goal that is.With your passion and dedication, I have no doubt that you will also accomplish your short term goal..on schedule.
To your continued great work for such a worthy cause,
Marc
Great list Marc. I’m pretty good at keeping my goals in front of me and I encourage everyone I work with to keep a success journal because I find it really is helpful at those moments when you’re struggling with keeping the “self-talk” positive. Also, I remember reading in Psychology Today that statistically people who write their goals down have a better than 300% chance of achieving them … hard to beat those odds!
Hi Marty,
Thanks so much for dropping by and leaving your comment…it is greatly appreciated.
A success journal is a great tool and a wonderful reminder of what you have accomplished and helps to keep you focused, positive and motivated.
Writing your goals is critical. By writing it down you intensify your desire for the goal and you increase your belief that the goal is possible.
To your continued success,
Marc
In regards to Question number 4, which would probably have answers in it to the rest of the questions you asked. I would pay off all debts, so I can live financially stress free. Then I would travel the world with my wife as I ran my business remotely.
Hey Andy,
Thanks so much for dropping by and leaving your comment…it is greatly appreciated.
I like the sound of that…financial freedom is a great goal and the ability to run a business remotely from anywhere… or maybe not run a business at all and just retire and travel !!
I hope you achieve that dream,
Marc
Marc,
this was a eye opener and much needed direction. We do not have time to waste without having goals to accomplish. That is what we have found ourselves doing. Wasting our time and that is something you never can get back.
I wrote down my goals and knowing they will be added to and reduced as time goes on. I feel comfortable in getting them done now. Everyday is a wonderful journey that I look forward to starting just to see how many steps in accomplishing my goals can be done. I keep adding to them, based on something or another. Yet, the core remains until they are done.
Marc, you have always keep me focused on the big picture and learning daily is something I look forward to learning every time I visit your blog. There is so much to gain with each visit.
Thanks for
Hi Marc,
These are truly excellent questions to ask yourself when it come to setting goals. What Brian Tracy points out is the fact that our goals 1) Must align with our “Why” 2) Must create strong positive emotions within us and 3) Our goals must be things that we truly Believe we can attain. Notice above, guys, Mr. Tracy makes no mention of timelines and specifics. He is going out of his way to help us Tap Into our strongest, most positive emotions and it is all built around our “Why” (why we are passionate and committed to doing what we do).
Awesome post, Marc. So, how have you applied these principle in your own life?
David H. Paul
the Follow Your Bliss guy
There are certainly some thought promoting ideas there from Brian Tracy. and who better to put them forward.
From a personal point of view I am afraid that Question #6 has been my downfall in life. I have always done the things that I enjoyed doing most and been successful at doing them.
Unfortunately, they have been hobbies and sports and have not done anything to enhance my bank balance, in fact they have decreased it significantly.
Maybe, however, that is the whole point of the question – when I was doing them I was happy and doing what my goals were. I just wish that I had set goals that would have made me a little more financially secure. So a tip for all new goal setters – a balance would be a good idea.
Hi Marc ~ I am struck that numbers 3,4 and six all have the same answer for me. Then if I really focus in on all of these I can honestly say that there’s just one that stands out far and above all the others. Interestingly enough as I do more every day like Brian (and others in my life) suggests, it seems that I am getting closer to making that more of a reality.
Coincidentally I have Brian Tracy’s goal setting course right here on my computer. Now since I have read this thought provoking blog post I think I will dust it off and work with it. Maybe I can manifest those goals just a wee faster with a wee bit more focus.
Yeah! I agree with you here, Marc. Before taking into any actions, proper mindset and goals are needed. Your ideas are great and expect to read more from you. Thanks!
Marc,
What a valuable post. I love the simplicity of Brian Tracy’s video homework. List 10 goals and then choose the one that would have the most impact on you. It is so powerful to simplify and to narrow your focus. i just completed a comprehensive 1 year marketing plan and then I looked at it and said – now what. I still needed to simplify and make it really clear what is most important for me to accomplish. Sure I would like to accomplish everything listed in that 61 page document, and it is all possible, but realistically probably not within one year. So now, I am focusing on what to do next, right now, what is most important and essential.
Erica
Hi Marc:
These are great questions for determining your goals! Goals are so critical for moving forward in life. Goals give us the passion and drive we need when we are feeling down and feel like quitting.
Thanks for the helpful information!
Kevin
Hi Marc,
I’m a big fan of Brian Tracy and have been through a few of his exercises with excellent results. Keeping at it is the key!
It’s actually common sense and yet a lot of us (me included!) need this structure and someone else laying out the steps for us. I find that quite strange.
I am still a way off from my big ‘dream’ goals but I have come a very long way and it really is people like Brian Tracy and Tony Robbins that are to thank for it… sometimes a goal is so big that it’s hard to unfuzzle my head!
Great resource Marc.
Emma 🙂
Great post, Marc! I’ve definitely noticed that there are times when we need to set goals, and how the irony of it is that if you get so overwhelmed that you don’t think that you have time to set goals that you end up having even less because there is no focus.
Thanks for sharing this,
I think that the process of goal setting is often overlooked and people take an oversimplified approach which doesn’t have any real power to get them to where they want to go. It’s like the difference between having a powerful vision of your day vs. a few “To Do’s” on a post it note.
I like the approach you have shared here. I have been working on my goals lately, especially making them big and inspiring but also incremental to give a balance.
I love these questions Marc, what a way to inspire us to think and dig within our selves! Brian Tracy is a fantastic (and well respected) author who has a lot to teach us about “right mindset”. Goals are so important to taking the dreams, wants and desires and putting a deadline on them and turning them into ” DOING” rather than just “Would Like To Dos”.
Kim
I love the video! A great way to punctuate the message!
These questions are great. The key is to take action. Knowing the questions to ask is only half the solution. Once you know them, now you need to ask them.
And then ask the question from the video. 😀
Wow, Marc, these are 7 big questions.
I just watch Brian’s video. I like the exercise that he is sharing on the video. Thank for posting it. It is so so simple. I love it. I am a very practical person, and I am a spiritual being too. I am always backing up my desires with actions. Some are short term and some are long terms. Some has to do with things that seems to be out of my control, yet I employ the perspective that everything is in my responsibility, therefore I act as if it all depends on me.
Beautiful and practical. I am up for writing my 10 goals (already have 5, so I’ll complete the other 5 and continue with Brian’s instructions).
Thanks for taking the time to write this post. Much appreciated.
Much love, light and joy,
Sigal Zoldan
Clinical Hypnotherapist & Master Results Coach
http://blog.sigalzoldan.com
Brian Tracy is a wealth of practical ideas! I love making lists, but am not so great at following through on them. I don’t make them enough, or consistently enough. But I’m getting there, because I know how much better I function when I do make them. And follow through on them. 😉
Willena Flewelling
Hey Marc,
Awesome post man! I love it that you say to go back and look at your goals everyday. I have gotten away from doing this, but I’m going to make it a point to add it back into my daily routine. Thank you for that reminder.
I like the “quick list” method also. It’s so true that we can make a more accurate list in 30 second rather than 30 minutes. I think that it’s a common problem to over think things… I’m guilty of it all of the time. This goal setting exercise and the point you made about tracking your goals everyday will help me greatly to just DO instead of over thinking things. Thanks again for this great post.
-Kyle Quinlan
Hi Marc, what a simple yet comprehensive way to help people sift through the clutter of what they do and don’t want and really get down to the heart of whatis important to them.
Great goal setting tips 🙂
Brillant post Marc. I am going to save this and come back to it and do the exercise when I have some quiet meditative time. I have goals and a vision board and dreams written/posted but I think it is important to revisit them from time to time. And I love that this starts with your values. Values are the foundation of your beliefs and goals that come from it. Well done. I have to share this with others now, its too good to wait!
These are some very good questions to think about while planning goals. Goals are extremely important.
Hey Marc
Thanks for such a informative post about goal setting, and Brian Tracy is one of my favourites.
Peter
Hello Marc
Seven great question that you share. Asking the question five most important values is an important step in everyone’s life. The failure to have the answer to this question is like beginning a trip with out a destination in mind.
Thanks
Perry A Davis Jr
Music City
These are some wonderful questions. It give one a road map to goal setting. Sometimes I get lost in my goals. I start out strong and then fade away. Thanks for the Brian Tracey video. He give so much inspiring words.
Hi buddy.
Thanks for sharing this. It’s a very nice and informative article.
Hi Marc,
This is another excellent article and video starring Brian Tracy! I’m getting to the point that setting goals has to be one of the most important things we do as entrepreneurs. I have experienced a whole life transformation due to a program I completed. I appreciate your timely post becasue I have made some major changes recently and I need to re-evaluate my goals due to changed circumstances.
Also, the questions asked are practical and are great guides to establishing a list of goals. I especially like number 4!
Brian’s video is a great exercise to teach how goals can easily be created. After tackling the “24 hour goal,” I would go back and pick the next goal, and the next until I got through the list. What is important is he attaches the tasks needed to complete the goal, and sets a time goal.
He talked about selecting a plan, making a plan, and working on it every day and it will change your life. I am taking action and doing a “reset.”
As usual, superior content and always a reason to come back for more. Thank you Marc!
Raena Lynn
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Your post is indeed an eye opener to everybody. Out of the seven questions, what struck me most is number 1. You have to identify first what’s really the most important in your life before you decide which comes first or what should be done first. You have to set a plan for that because that way, you’ll keep track of things need to be done in your life in order to achieve your goal!