Coach Patti's Blog

"If you have a goal in life that takes a lot of energy, that requires a lot of work, that incurs a great deal of interest and that is a challenge to you, you will always look forward to waking up to see what the new day brings." - Susan Polis Schultz

Not long ago I checked off one of my lifetime goals – to see a Space Shuttle launch. I'd dreamed about it for a long time. It took a lot of scrambling and rearranging of my schedule and my husband's for us to be able to make the trip for California to Florida. The launch was scrubbed…and then delayed again…and again! We rescheduled some more, grabbed the last two seats on a flight, and got there to see an extraordinary event from a front row seat.

What I couldn't understand was how some people who had the same chance we did, and who could have been there for the launch, bailed out after one or two scrubs. After all it took to get there, I wasn't about to give up without reaching that goal. Why did they?

I don't have an answer for those folks, but I do know that one answer might be that they didn't really have a goal. They sort of wanted to see the launch, and would have liked to if it worked out, but it wasn't a goal that they had set and worked toward with resolve.

What's the difference? Wanting something is just wishful thinking. Making it a goal gives you a roadmap to reaching it, and a way to measure how you're doing in your quest. Setting a goal gives you direction and an action plan. 

Here is a six step process you can use today to produce greater results through goal-directed action:

1. Step one - Define the problem you want to solve. You can't reach a goal if you don't know what it is!
2. Step two - Make the goal large enough so that it is challenging without being impossible to attain. Effective goal targets fall between a stretch and a pipe dream.
3. Step three - Develop a goal that is measurable, has a time frame for completion, and then write it down. For example, "I will develop and implement five new systems that will increase my net margins by 2% by November 1^st, 2009."
4. Step four - Ask and answer these fundamental questions:
   1. Why this goal?
   2. Why now?
   3. What is the cost if the goal is not met? What are the consequences to my business if I do not reach the goal? 
   4. What is the value if the goal is accomplished?
   5. What resources do I need to reach this goal? Think in terms of both time and dollar costs.
   6. After examining the potential benefits and costs, are you still committed to move forward with the goal? This is the time to reflect and be certain the cost involved in achieving the goal is worth the result. If so, move forward. If not, work on something else.
5. Step five - Define an action step and take it immediately. The action can be small but it will help move your goal from paper to action.
6. Step six - Create a measuring tool that contains the elements of constant review and resetting action steps based on actual progress. Be rigorous and tell yourself the truth about how you are advancing.

There's an old saying: "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you're standing still." Goals keep you moving in the right direction – the direction you've chosen, the one that is right for you and your business.

Mine got me to the Space Shuttle launch. Where will your goals take you?

Patti Kouri, Accelerated Performance Coaching
Helping You Through Self-Made Limitations! 

Will you Take My Challenge and increase your income? Here's what one student said:

"In 2006 I left REMAX and went to Prudential in West Chester OH. I was in a slump and Bob Daniel handed me $100 and told me to sign up for some Real Estate Game that Patti Kouri was conducting. It was the best money spent.  Last year (2008) I did 100 transactions. It all began with you, Ms. Patti. My thanks." - Pamela Bensen

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