Success Principle 7 – UNLEASH THE POWER OF GOAL SETTING

“If you are bored with life, if you don’t get up every morning with a burning desire to do things – you don’t have enough goals”

Once you know your life purpose, determine your vision, and clarify what your true needs and desires are, you have to convert them into specific, measurable goals and objectives and then act on them with the certainty that you will achieve them.

Expert on the science of success know the brain is a goal-seeking organism. Whatever goal you give to your subconscious mind, it will work night and day to achieve. God places priority on goal setting. In Habakkuk 2:2, the bible says, “write down the vision and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.”

To make sure a goal unleashes the power of your subconscious mind, it must meet two criteria. It must be stated in a way that you and anybody else could measure it. Be specific as possible with all aspects of your goals – include the make, model, color, year, and features….the size, weight, shape, and form…and any other details. Remember, vague goals produce vague results.

One of the best ways to get clarity and specificity on your goals is to write them out in detail – as if you were writing specifications for a work order. Think of it as a request to God. Include every possible detail. When you write it all down, your subconscious mind will know what to work on. It will know which opportunities to latch on to help you reach your goal.

You need goals that will stretch you. When you create your goals, be sure to write down some big ones that will stretch you. It pays to have goals that will require you to grow to achieve them. It’s a good thing to have some goals that make you a little uncomfortable. Why? Because the ultimate goal, in addition to achieving your material goals, is to become a master at life. And to do this, you will need to learn new skills, expand your vision of what’s possible, build new relationships, and learn to overcome your fears, considerations, and roadblocks.

Once you have written down all your goals, both large and small, the next step on your journey to success is to activate the creative power of your subconscious mind by reviewing your list two or three times every day.  Take time to read your list of goals. Read the list out loud with passion and enthusiasm one goal at a time. This is simply the power of confession because confession brings possession. Remember, that life and death are in the power of tongue and he who loves it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Following this daily discipline of success will activate the power of your desire. It increases what psychologists refer to as “structural tension” in your brain. Your brain wants to close the gap between your current reality and the vision of your goal. By constantly repeating and visualizing your goal as already achieved, you will be increasing this structural tension. This will increase your motivation, stimulate your creativity, and heighten your awareness of resources that can help you achieve your goal.

Now, my question to you is this: what are your goals in the next five years? Do you have them written down in plain language? Are they specific, measurable, achievable and time bound? In other words, are your goals SMAT? Remember what God has promised in Psalm 20:4: “May He grant you according to your heart desires and make all your plans succeed”

NOTE: Adapted from Success Principles By Jack Canfield.