What’s in a goal? Just the tools to realizing your dream, that’s all…

Denzel Washington says a dream without a goal is just a dream. And he should know. His dream was to win an Oscar and be a shining light in Hollywood and you all know he had a goal in place to reach those dazzling heights. His talks on goal setting are legend.

If you have a look around at the successful people you admire most and check out their journeys, you can bet your bottom dollar there is a goal in place for each of them. And just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean the time for goal setting has passed! On the contrary.

I’ve always been a firm believer that goals are the infrastructure of what we want to achieve in life. One thing I’ve learned and would like to share with you about goals is that they don’t materialize unless you write them down. There is no way just wishing something will make it so — right? 

Ideas and hopes are great, AND, until you write them down, they are just thought bubbles floating above your head. I like to write my goals down on paper, which feels more solid to me. Hey, if typing them into the notes app on your phone is what works for you, do it! The point is, you need to make a tangible effort to write your goals down somewhere where you can refer to them. Somewhere easily accessible, so you can refer to them anywhere at any time. Once they exist in words goals are much more actionable. Let’s say it brings clarity to what you really want. Sound good?

Think of writing your goals down as making you accountable. The words will be like having someone who’s got your back and that’s crucial to your success in the greater scheme of things. It’s like having a voice that keeps reminding you when you slack off on your goals and keeps encouraging you to stay the course. Think of if as positive pressure on you to succeed in what you set out to achieve and enforcing a sense of responsibility. 

OK, so once I have my goal written, its planning time and one of my favorite ways to plan out a goal is to see myself in the place of that goal — let’s say sitting on a beach, looking fabulous, with a Mai Tai  in Hawaii for a 7 day holiday. Sounds good, right?

 
So, how exactly do you get yourself on to that beach chair clutching your favorite rum drink? What concrete steps do you need to take to make your goals happen? That’s the million dollar question right there.

In this scenario, how about starting by jumping online and checking out travel packages. There are always good travel deals being offered, so take some time to find one that suits your budget and your needs. By doing this you are actioning the goal you set and moving energy into that process. It already feels more solid and achievable — right?

Let’s be honest, this approach is a whole lot better than casually telling a friend, “One day I really want to go to Hawaii.” You know that’s pipe-dream central.

Your travel research is going to give you dates and prices. Once you have these numbers you can break them down into daily, weekly and monthly goals.

For the purpose of this blog (I swear no other reason), I found a package deal to Hawaii on eBay for $700. BTW call me “late to the game”. I just discovered Ebay! Feel free to laugh at me. Anyway, let’s throw in a little shopping and one nice dress up dinner and we can call it an even $1,000. Let’s say you are planning to go 3 months from now. Break down your savings goal to about $333 per month or about $11 a day. 

Now we’re getting somewhere, as it’s far more doable achieving bite-size chunks of something you want than being demotivated by a massive, daunting objective. 

This process works for me whether I am planning a holiday, thinking about adding more time for writing (where will that time on my schedule come from?), or reviewing the pros and cons of moving to a new city. Write it down, break it down and take action.

Most of you, have, at some point in your life, made New Year’s resolutions. Don’t roll your eyes. I know you have!  You probably did it again last month! Whether it’s to lose weight, stop smoking or finding the perfect job, these annual goals we set as part of tradition begin with the best intentions —  but often fizzle out by February. It’s a challenge, right? But if you write it down and follow the plan your chances of success are right up there.  

 If you like this tip on goal setting — I’ve got loads of them to share. Find out more by signing up to my mailing list below. 

You’ve got this and I’ve got you,

Dena

DENA BURTON

I’ve been a model, a real estate agent, and I am a native Angeleno. (Surviving LA traffic not only shows my ability to stay level headed, it also shows my commitment and follow through.)