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Archive for the ‘Goal-setting’ Category

Get Things Done Faster and Achieve Your Goals

January 8th, 2010

Maria Helm

time_management We have always asked ourselves “how can I get things done faster so I can accomplish more of my goals?” Sure. We all like that to happen. But really, the real question to ask is “how can I get more things done in a short period of time?”

There’s no magic formula. You cannot just miraculously pull a few extra hours for your day out of thin air. However, with careful planning and by using a couple of simple tools, getting things done faster may actually be possible. Let’s get started on the right foot. Here’s what you need to do first:

Know where your time is going. Chances are you already own a smartphone. Figure out how to use its calendar function and use it. If you prefer the old-fashioned way, go to the store and buy a daily planner like this. Keep track of how you spend your time. Most of your log will show you’re investing your time in people or things not really important to you or your goals. Also, it’s important to use only one time management system. Whether you choose electronic or paper system, one consistent system will eliminate much wasted time spent searching for information.

Posted in Goal-setting

Tags: Get things done faster, Goals, passwords, tasks, time management

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Pay Yourself First

December 4th, 2009

Maria Helm

One of my favorite personal finance tips is to pay yourself first. The idea is that you should take any savings money immediately from your earnings and put it into a separate bank account. I’m saying this because if I wait until the end of the month to save what’s left, I would have probably spent it all.

I think this idea applies equally to your goals. Pay yourself first because, if you pay other people first, then you won’t have enough time left for what’s truly important to you.

There are going to be a few things that must come first. If your goal is to start a business, but you still work a full-time job, not getting fired is your first priority (at least until your business can support you). Same with important family concerns.

Posted in Goal-setting

Tags: Goals, Pay yourself first

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Are You Afraid of Success?

December 2nd, 2009

Maria Helm

Afraid No one wants to fail. Fear of failure is common, even immobilizing people, hindering them from pursuing or achieving their goals. But for some, success is an even greater source of fear, also resulting in inaction.

It’s rare that a goal is all roses. Success requires change, and change has both positive and negative consequences. Often while people claim to want to succeed at something, the reality is that the negatives outweigh the positives for them. When that happens, we abandon the idea altogether.

“A fear of success is an expression of inadequacy in believing we don’t deserve to achieve, combined with emotions of guilt when we do better than expected,” says Denis Waitley, speaker, author, and productivity coach.

When you don’t really believe in the validity of your dreams and you aren’t prepared for achievement, you will fall short again and again, says Waitley. “I call this the curse of permanent potential.”

Posted in Goal-setting

Tags: Failure, Fear, Goals, Success

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Work Your Plan!

July 21st, 2009

Maria Helm

However you define success is up to you. But one thing’s for sure: success just doesn’t happen overnight – you have to have a plan and then start working your plan in a consistent and disciplined manner. If you’re in a bike, for example, you need to start pedaling to reach your destination. You just don’t pedal once or twice, you need to do it consistently or you’ll lose your balance and fall.

Once a reasonable plan is made, immediately implement it. Acting quickly is an imperative for your business. Don’t get me wrong, do think things through carefully. But be careful to avoid excessive reasoning and “paralysis analysis” that often hinders you to move forward. Get things going fast, and then as you go along, make some “corrections and adjustments” if necessary.

None of us are particularly fond of rude surprises. Not fun! Don’t wait until the the estimated completion dates to see if you’ve reached your goals. Schedule frequent progress checks, meet with people or teams involved to measure the task status and updates. At those meetings, discuss the following:

Is each goal still legitimate and achievable?
Where are we in terms of reaching each goal?
Have any situations or conditions changed since we originally set each goal?
Do we need to make any changes to our goals, our action plans, or our performance levels?

The answers to these questions provide the acumen we need to steer us in taking our important mission to reality.

Now go start pedaling!

“Idleness is a constant sin, and labor is a duty. Idleness is the devil’s home for temptation and for unprofitable distracting musings; while labor profiteth others and ourselves.” – Anne Baxter

Posted in Goal-setting

Tags: Entrepreneurship, Goals, Planning, Success

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Plan Your Work

July 13th, 2009

Maria Helm

Success is the result of clearly defined goals combined with well thought out plans to accomplish those goals. People who are successful always have clear goals on which they stay focused. Those who are unclear about where they are going experience failure, and this often results to a stopping point for them.

Plans provide us with the direction, focus, and organization we need to stay on task. And since humans are not equipped with perfect memories, it’s always a good idea to make sure that they’re written action plans.

There are a few questions that may be helpful in developing our plans:

1. What needs to be accomplished?

2. Why is it important to get this done?

3. When does it need to be accomplished?

4. Where am I in relation to this task?

5. Who will be involved in finishing this task?

6. How will it be accomplished?

After answering these questions in detail, perform the last step by adding contingencies. Do your best to anticipate the unexpected by asking possible “what if” questions.

Failure does not deter those who are committed to their own unique vision of success. As the old saying tells us, “the world steps aside for those who know where they are going.”

Posted in Goal-setting

Tags: Goal-setting, Maria Helm, Planning, Success

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