If someone asked you if you wanted money, perfect health, or your dream home, what would you decide? People feel forced to choose between such things every day, but you don't have to decide-because you can have them all! All it takes is the proper goal setting strategies. Sylvia Daines, a successful salesperson and entrepreneur, explains how you can unlock the treasure chest where your goals are stored in this user's guide to achieving your dreams. Filled with inspiring stories, You've Set a Goal ...Now What? will equip you with the tools you need to plot a path that leads to increased cash flow, excellent health and much more. Topics include: • the importance of visualization; • working with nature's laws; • the conscious and subconscious minds; • why attitude is so important • methods to build self-esteem. Learn how to use the tools you already have at your disposal with this guide to achievement that makes goal setting a way of life. Discover how to achieve everything you want with You've Set a Goal ... Now What?

YOU'VE SET A GOAL ... NOW WHAT?

The Right Book at the Right TimeBy Sylvia Daines

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 Sylvia Daines
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4502-7213-1

Contents

Acknowledgments.................................................................................................viiPreface.........................................................................................................xiForeword by Joel MacCharles.....................................................................................xiiiIntroduction What the You've Set a Goal Now What? The Right Book at the Right Time is about.....................xviiChapter 1: Setting Your our Goals...............................................................................1Chapter 2: The Thought Process..................................................................................15Chapter 3: The Importance of Visualizing........................................................................27Chapter 4: Using Affirmations...................................................................................40Chapter 5: Working with Nature's Laws...........................................................................48Chapter 6: Conscious Mind.......................................................................................57Chapter 7: Subconscious Mind....................................................................................65Chapter 8: Attitude Says It Al..................................................................................l 73Chapter 9: The Money Principle — Winning the Lottery......................................................82Chapter 10: Focus Is Imperative.................................................................................92Chapter 11: Staying Motivated...................................................................................98Chapter 12: Being Grateful......................................................................................104Chapter 13: Building Self-Esteem................................................................................112Chapter 14: Action Is Everything................................................................................118Chapter 15: Enjoy the Celebration...............................................................................126About the Author................................................................................................133Bibliography....................................................................................................135

Chapter One

SETTING YOUR GOALS

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"All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible." -Orison Swett Marden

EXPLANATION OF GOALS

What are goals? They are a reflection of who you are and who you want to become. They are your direction in life ... your road map. They are very different from pipe dreams, because they show a clear path of the journey you want to take. Goal setting is a natural part of you. Your subconscious mind is a hidden mind, a goal setting mechanism that is there to serve you. When you are not setting goals it is as though your mind is in starvation mode, and is reaching out for something to fill the void.

Goals are like seeds. Some seeds grow slowly like the seeds of a giant oak tree, just like your big goals (considered "long-term" by many people), such as your dream home, a new car. Some goals can be achieved quickly; some take longer. A bean seed grows fast and it becomes a bean plant in just a few weeks. Think of your little goals as little bean seeds. You won't be able to see the seed growing because it is growing under the soil—The seed needs soil, water and sun to grow—It needs these things every day. Your goals are the little bean seed; they also need to be cared for every day. To care for your goals, keep them foremost in your mind and take some action every day towards reaching them, whether they are little goals or big goals.

HOW DO YOU SET GOALS

The best way to begin setting goals is to make a list of a dozen or so things that you want to achieve. Take a piece of lined paper and start writing on each line or you can use the "Goal Tracking" form for each goal. This form is included at the end of this chapter. It might take you a few days, a few weeks, or even longer but you can add to your list every day. Dream big and don't worry about the "how to". That is not your job. Your job is only to list all the things you have ever wanted. You can be, do or have anything you want, but leave the "how to" for the one more capable than you and that is your subconscious mind, the "invisible helper", whose job is to assist you in achieving your goals. You are setting a goal whenever you say "I want to", example "I want to own a 2010 red BMW convertible." You should state exactly what you want.

You live in two worlds; the world within and the world without. The world within pertains to your subconscious mind, while the world without refers to your conscious mind. Most people function in the world without, but it is the world within where all problems are solved, all dreams and goals are achieved.

Set a deadline. Ask yourself the questions "When do I want to achieve this goal?" "Why do I want to achieve this goal?" "How will I feel when I reach it?" If you believe in God, ask Him to guide you. If you were building a home for yourself, think of how you would be very careful in planning, selecting the best materials, studying every aspect right down to the finest detail, and yet people are careless when it comes to building a home mentally.

After you have made your list of the things you want you are ready to start. Choose the three most important ones from your list and put them in order. You can work on more than one goal at a time as long as they don't conflict with one another. For example, If you want to be the top Real Estate Agent in your area but you have also set a goal of taking a trip to Hawaii, as you can see these two goals conflict, because to be the top Real Estate Agent in your area, you will require a great deal of time and commitment.

If you are having trouble listing your goals, here is another technique you can use. Each day, write out the one thing you want for that day only. Use this exercise for two to three weeks and then check your list for an emerging pattern. The one or two things or maybe more that you want will keep showing up time and time again. There is a reason for those things to keep appearing; they are the ones you should work on.

WHY YOU SHOULD SET GOALS

You should set goals because definite plans produce definite results. Without written goals, your motivation and purpose will be lost. You will be like the person watching the parade, instead of being a willing participant and joining in the parade where all the fun and excitement is. Goals are intended to support you in your life purpose. You will never know what that purpose is until you begin setting goals. Your natural talents seem to become visible once you start on your goal setting path. Many people have gone to their graves with music still inside their souls.

You can choose to set a positive goal or you can choose to set a negative goal. "Why would anyone choose to set a negative goal?" you ask. Through your thoughts you are doing this every day. For example: If you continually think about difficulties in your life, you are sending a message that this is what you want because what you think or say expands, automatically giving you more of the same. This can be explained in this manner: A person is having a problem in meeting financial obligations, keeps talking about them to anyone who will listen and before long the financial obligations have multiplied and difficulties in other areas of their life have surfaced as well. Not only can you achieve great things by setting goals, you can also solve any problems you encounter by using some of the same techniques suggested in goal setting.

CHOOSE A PRACTICE GOAL

If you are not in the habit of setting goals, start with a practice goal. Something small like a new set of luggage, something you can realistically achieve in a short period of time, maybe a few weeks. Get a coloured picture of the exact luggage you want—be specific, just as though you are ordering something from the catalogue. Every day look at that picture first thing when arising in the morning and the last thing at night, just before going to bed. Close your eyes and see yourself carrying that luggage in your hands, see the colour, it is your favourite; you chose it. Feel the texture as you rub your fingers gently on the outside, smell the leather. Hear the sounds going on around you as you walk to and fro with the luggage still gripped in your hands. Don't you feel proud? Yes! With your eyes still closed, repeat the following affirmation. "I am the owner of this luggage." This particular action might seem trivial but it is adequate for this particular goal.

This is an example of the importance of action (including an affirmation) that you should use with each goal you want. Visualizing and using affirmations comprise the perfect pair as you will learn throughout this book. Once you own your luggage you can start working on the second goal, and so on.

CREATE YOUR OWN PICTURE BOOK

Another technique you can use is to create a Lifetime Goals Picture Book. My book for this purpose is a small photograph album, about eight inches square. (I prefer this size because I can carry it with me.) In the first part of the book I have pictures of all the goals I want to achieve in my lifetime. The middle section is where I place pictures of my annual goals. The latter part of the book holds pictures of all the goals I have achieved. Placing pictures of the goals I have already achieved serves as a signal to my subconscious mind that I am on the right track, and that I always accomplish what I intend. Your subconscious mind needs feedback from you, and by having constant feedback frustration will be prevented and you will stay motivated.

On the first day of January each year I select my top three goals that I want to achieve for the coming year. I also write out an affirmation for each one. I print off suitable pictures from the internet for each one. If I can't find a suitable picture I will cut out a picture of someone else. For example, one of my goals for this year is to be at my healthy weight, and to exercise in shape. I found a picture on the internet of a woman walking, so I pasted that picture in my annual section of my goal book, and pasted a head shot only of myself on the body of the person in the picture. I look at that picture several times every day and visualize the end result (more about visualizing in Chapter 3). I imagine that I have already achieved my goal. I also repeat the following affirmation: "I am now at my desired weight." This sends a message to my subconscious mind that I am determined to be in shape this year.

An important point here is to be in the alpha (meditative) state of consciousness when you are visualizing your goal. To reach this state, sit in a comfortable chair or lie down on the bed. Take three deep breaths, inhale each one slowly and exhale slowly; focus on your breathing. This should be enough to relax your body. You are getting your subconscious mind ready to accept a new piece of information, a new goal.

Another very helpful visual aid is a Goal Storyboard. I keep mine on my desk so it is visible while I'm working. To create your own personal goal storyboard you will need pictures of all the dreams and goals you have for your life. You will also need suitable affirmations. For a picture of my Goal Storyboard, along with complete instructions on how to build your own, please visit my website at www.nowwhatbooks.ca

EASY DOES IT

Once you have your goal clearly in mind, you must move it from your conscious mind to your subconscious mind. It must become intrinsic, rather than extrinsic. In other words, what you want must become automatic. Like a great actor who must lose himself in the part he is playing, so it is with goals, you must lose yourself in your goal. To lose yourself in this manner, you must think only of the one thing you want more than anything else; think of it constantly.

I remember, when, as a young woman, I was taking a refresher course in typing. My goal was to get my speed to 100 words a minute and achieve a recognized certificate. The teacher said to me "If you know when you have pressed the wrong key, then you are not there yet. You must lose yourself in the goal. Your focus must be so intense that you can think of nothing else but what you are doing at the moment." I have since learned the importance of those words. When you focus in this manner, it is much the same as putting yourself on autopilot, like learning to drive a car, riding a bicycle or learning to ice skate. When you first get on the ice you are wobbly and shaky. But after some practice you are gliding around the ice rink with ease ... it is automatic (intrinsic). This gives your conscious mind time to deal with other things.

21 "UNTIL IT'S DONE" FORMULA

Once you have decided on the most important goal you want to achieve, use this formula for 21 days.

The 21 day concept was first introduced in the book Psycho Cybernetics, Maxwell Maltz. Dr. Maltz was a plastic surgeon who conducted extensive studies of why brain circuits take "engrams" (memory traces), and produce neuropathways only if they are bombarded for 21 days in a row. Dr. Maltz said it takes 21 days to change a habit. I use this 21 day formula because it works! Every day look at the picture of your goal, repeat the affirmation you have chosen for it (some examples of affirmations are included in Chapter 4, "Using Affirmations".)

Carry out this little exercise two to three times a day. A preferred method is to perform it first thing in the morning, one time during the day, and as the last thing before going to bed.

During each exercise, sit quietly in a comfortable chair, close your eyes and mentally see yourself as having already achieved your goal ... Feel the excitement and the joy as you continue to bask in the mood of that moment.

I have seen this 21-day formula work for more than one goal during this time period (no more than three) as long as they don't conflict. It is still much better to work on one thing at a time. And keep in mind there is usually a delay in reaching a big goal. After using this 21-day formula, the goal has become embedded in one of the grooves in your brain and becomes automatic. You no longer have to even think about it. You have become an automatic goal setting, goal achieving mechanism. Some goals will be achieved within the 21-day period—other, big goals might take longer. When you use this 21-day formula all the right things to help you achieve your goal will show up at the right time (the right people, the right circumstances, and the right action.) The creative process is involved here and you cannot rush this process. The timing of the goal is within the time frame of your subconscious mind, your inner world. Some people believe the creative process is mystifying. It is a process like anything else. There are three steps to the process and anyone can learn them. They are:

1. Preparation is really choosing the goal you want, asking the question "what do I want?" It can be called "work". A writer for example, prepares by deciding on what kind of book will be written, choosing the title, the format, etc.—a person with a love for music might begin by choosing the type of instrument, deciding on a teacher.

2. Assimilation is internalizing, mobilizing inner resources, having quiet time, visualizing, allowing your conscious mind and subconscious mind to connect and bring forth ideas.

3. Completion is taking any necessary final steps, defining the goal as fulfilled, celebrating, thereby acknowledging the end of the creative process.

HOW THE 21 "UNTIL IT'S DONE" FORMULA HELPS CHILDREN

Some time ago I conducted an experiment with two young children just to see if this particular goal setting process could work for them. I approached two family members, one boy aged ten and his little brother aged seven. I asked them if they would be willing to work with me in setting up their own Lifetime Goals Picture Book. After some persuasion they rather reluctantly agreed to help me with a "21-day experiment". We sat at their kitchen table and after they had printed off suitable pictures from the internet, they began pasting the pictures of their goals in a small photo album book. I helped them with suitable affirmations. They chose their own goals and wanted five things each, rather than three. I decided to go with their request, my reason being that children seem to function mostly in a "dream like state" anyway. They pasted one goal per page in their respective books, along with an affirmation that they had chosen for this purpose. They were asked to look at their picture of each goal and say aloud the corresponding affirmation in the morning and again at night, just before going to bed.

The ten year old boy set the following goals: • have my own trampoline and be really good on it • be the best on guitar and play it every single day • always show respect for everyone, and everyone show respect for me • know that I live in a very safe home with a wonderful, loving family • do my school work with a good attitude The seven year old boy set the following goals:

• do my school work with a good attitude • sing in my own rock band • have a lot of fun with my older brother • know that I live in a very safe home with a wonderful, loving family • stay calm when my older brother teases me. Teasing makes me angry.

At the end of the "21-day experiment" I asked both of them what they had learned from it. The ten year old boy said he thought he was feeling more positive, but he still wanted that trampoline. The seven year old boy said he felt he was able to stay a little calmer when he was being teased and not lose his temper. A couple of months, give or take a week or so, after the end of the "21-day experiment" the ten year old boy was enjoying goal #1, his backyard trampoline. His backhand springs, back flips and front flips were getting better and better. The seven year old had already achieved one of his goals also and that was #3, have a lot of fun with my older brother. The two of them could be seen daily, practicing their flips on the trampoline and performing their two-man team stunts for everyone to see.

(Continues...)

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