Goal setting

1. State a positive goal. “I want to save for my son Sam’s college degree”
a. Negative words that cause people to fail:
i. Not
ii. Don’t, won’t shouldn’t can’t – Don’t tell me what you don’t do, won’t do, shouldn’t do or can’t do. Tell me instead what you want to do.
iii. Stop – you’ll stop when you’re dead. Until then, keep going.
iv. Avoid – your brain will focus on whatever it is you’ve told it to avoid.
v. Never or Impossible
b. Dangerous words:
i. Little – no such thing as succeeding a little bit
ii. Later – motto of procrastination
iii. Will – as in “I will quit smoking tomorrow.”
iv. Try – do you want to “try to save for a new car” or do you want to save for a new car?
v. Should – you know what you should be doing. More important to focus on what you “are” doing.
vi. Start – don’t “start” your journey. Be underway with it.
vii. Possible – meaningless.
c. Best words to describe yourself:
i. I am – I am saving to buy a new car
ii. I do – either you are working on your goal, or you’re not.
iii. Always
2. Set a date – a goal only becomes a goal when you put a date on it. “I want to save for my son Sam’s college expenses beginning September 1st, 2020”
a. Make an appointment.
b. Be specific.
c. Be realistic.
3. Write it down.
4. Stay focused
a. Turn your plan into action.
i. Research how much tuition costs at state schools, community schools, and private colleges. Learn about 529 savings plans vs. pre-paid tuition plans.
ii. If your goal is to take a trip to Italy, get a passport, contact a travel agent, find out how to get to the location. How long a trip will it be? Any medical or safety precautions to take? Where will you stay? What will be your itinerary? How much will it cost?
b. Make your plan a reality
i. Make your goal real, as though you were living it today. By doing this, your enthusiasm will rise, your focus will intensify, and you’ll be able to stick with your goal. Sure enough, one day, you will make it happen.
c. Keep your goal in front of you. Put pictures of your goal on the refrigerator door, on the bathroom mirror, on your PC monitor at the office, on the steering wheel of your car.